People: Andrew Jackson Solicitors; Bradford District Credit Union; CODA Studios; and more

Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors has confirmed that Susie Mortonson has joined its corporate team as a partner. 

A familiar lawyer in the North Yorkshire region, she brings 16 years’ experience to her new role.

She advises many different businesses across a range of sectors on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and investments, management buy-outs and buy-ins, shareholder agreements, group reorganisations, corporate governance, partnerships and commercial contracts.

Mortonson also has specialist expertise in working with clients operating in the agriculture sector and advises a wide range of farming businesses on the different issues they face.

She previously worked as partner and head of department at another regional law firm where she led on a number of high-profile transactions including the purchase of Dusk bar for Fabler Bars; the sale of Scarborough-based TEF Transport group; and the sale of Dean Court Hotel in York.

She also brings with her the benefit of long-standing and continued relationships with a large number of regional businesses.

Mortonson is vice-chair of York Professionals and acts as honorary solicitor and trustee to various regional charities.

She said: “I’m excited to join Andrew Jackson. Championing local businesses and helping them to flourish is really important to me, so I’m pleased to join a team that’s committed to providing an outstanding client service, which has their best interests at heart.”

Philip Ashworth, corporate partner, added: “We are happy to welcome Susie to Andrew Jackson.

“She is a fantastic addition to our team. Her pragmatic yet commercial approach, combined with her enthusiasm, expertise, and technical insight, means that clients are in the very best of hands.”

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Bradford District Credit Union (BDCU) is marking the first year of its CEO, Katie Hurrell, with two key additions to its team.

The organisation has appointed Steve Townend as chief operating officer and Jessica Comer as finance lead.

Townend brings a wealth of operational management experience gained over a 30-year career in the financial sector.

His depth of expertise and knowledge will be instrumental in ensuring the credit union operates to a high standard, delivering an efficient and safe service to its more than 9,000 members and providing a solid foundation for its growth plans.

Comer brings with her a solid background in both credit union and other financial roles across the last seven years.

As finance lead, she will oversee all aspects of the credit union’s financial management and planning.

Having previously worked at the neighbouring Leeds Credit Union, she also possesses a strong, sector-specific knowledge.

Hurrell said: “I am thrilled to welcome Steve and Jessica to our team, as their appointments come at a crucial time in our development.

“Steve brings a wealth of experience across banking and fintech sectors and has joined BDCU to give back to the communities in which he grew up.

“We also welcome Jess Comer, former finance manager of Leeds Credit Union, who knows the sector very well.

“Jess joins us following the birth of her little girl and we are excited that she has joined us at the start of our growth journey.

“I look forward to being a part of our collective journey and seeing the benefits of their respective contributions.”

Townend said: “I am keen to provide our members with a service that competes with the best in the industry.

“The values and aims of the business, especially the fact that profit is not the principal driving force, were key in bringing me here and it provides me with an opportunity to give something back after three decades in the sector.”

Comer added: “Having worked with Katie previously, I jumped at the chance to join back up with her and help contribute to the new direction and journey she is taking the credit union on.

“As part of my initial input, I’ll be looking to drive efficiencies by looking at even more effective ways of working and implementing new processes.”

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Sheffield company CODA Studios has made two important internal promotions.

Josh Campbell has become associate director and Dan Bull has been named associate.

The company – made up of CODA Architecture and CODA Bespoke – is based in the Sellers Wheel development at Arundel Street, and also has an office in Manchester.

Director Abel Hinchliffe said: “The promotions for both Josh and Dan reflect our confidence in the future.

“Josh’s contribution to CODA has been and will continue to be transformative for us and Dan’s outstanding eye and passion for design have driven the continued growth of CODA Bespoke.

“These promotions reflect our appreciation of that, and all the other contributions Josh and Dan have made to the success of our business.

“As with all areas of the design and construction sector there have been plenty of ups and downs for us since Covid but we are happy to be able to say that the past 12 months have been strong for us, with notable successes for both our Sheffield and Manchester offices.

“We are excited that our plans for Waverley’s Olive Lane development for Harworth are now in the planning process with Rotherham Council and we are confident this important addition to the Waverley site will be a success.

“We are now also looking forward to seeing our designs for the future of Stocksbridge town centre, working with Sheffield City Council, coming closer to fruition.

“Another major CODA project is 190 Norfolk Street, which meets a very specific brief to create an office building that would meet all the requirements for a zero carbon footprint, using sustainable products at every stage of the building process.

“It has been rewarding to see our work with Sky-House Co bringing a new era of eco-friendly homes to South Yorkshire, with new developments coming to Devonshire Green in Sheffield city and Waverley Central over the coming months.”

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Two young lawyers who completed legal work experience with Rollits have now joined the firm as trainees.

Harry Milner’s interest in the profession was sparked when he sat in on a high profile murder trial at the Old Bailey during a school trip to London. Aidan Johnson made his career choice after studying law at A level.

Both new trainees went to school in Hull and decided to return to the city after attending university elsewhere.

Milner graduated from University of Leicester in 2021 with a degree in Law with Politics.

Before taking up his new post at Rollits he worked for a year at a local sixth form college tutoring and mentoring law and politics students.

Johnson went to Northumbria University where he studied on the MLaw (exempting) course, which is an Integrated Master’s degree combining a Qualifying Law Degree with a Legal Practice Course exemption.

He passed with First Class Honours and was awarded the Faculty Pro-Vice Chancellor Award for outstanding academic achievement in his final year at the university.

Caroline Neadley, training principal at Rollits, said: “Work experience is so important when it comes to helping young people make decisions about pursuing a career in law and we are pleased that once again our summer programme has identified and supported bright, local talent.

“We are committed to investing in the future of our lawyers and are confident that they will thrive in our supportive and collaborative environment. 

“We look forward to seeing them grow and develop their careers at Rollits.”