People: Brabners; Andel; Fisher German; and more

Independent law firm, Brabners, has confirmed that Nik White has been re-elected as its managing partner following an uncontested election.

White, who has been with Brabners for nearly 30 years, will serve a third three-year term to start on 1 May and will lead the firm alongside CEO Robert White who joined in 2017.

During Nik White’s first two terms, the business has grown to more than 500 colleagues and is now an 86-strong partnership.

It has also entered the Yorkshire market with the launch of its office in Leeds.

Alongside its involvement in the high-profile ‘Wagatha Christie’ case, Brabners has played a significant role in large scale northern regeneration projects, such as the Liverpool Waters and Oldham town centre regeneration schemes and Eden Project North in Morecambe.

It has acted for a nationwide portfolio of major corporates, consumer brands, elite sports organisations, charities and private individuals.

Nik White said: “I am very happy and grateful to be continuing in my role, acting as a custodian for Brabners, a firm which naturally means a great deal to me having been here throughout the entirety of my career so far.

“I believe the past few years have been among the best in our more than 200-year history: growing our team and expanding our reach, investing in flagship new spaces, as well as becoming a B Corp and strengthening our culture that genuinely makes the difference for our clients, our colleagues and the communities we serve; and – critically – makes Brabners a business that people are proud to be part of.

“As a firm with purpose at its heart, I’m excited about what the next three years and beyond hold, including the work we will deliver and the positive impact we will seek to continue to have on the communities we serve.”

Robert White added: “The past six years has been characterised by our firm going from strength-to-strength – which is just reward for all the hard work, engagement and continued support of all our colleagues, and is reflective of the trust that our clients increasingly place in us to understand and deliver on their needs.

“The progress we have made in that time means we are well-placed to build on the momentum we have created, as we continue to focus on playing our part to demonstrate that business can bring about positive change.”

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A developer of specialised leak detection, water sustainability and environmental protection systems, Andel, has welcomed an environmental chemist to its team within the Nexus building on the University of Leeds campus.

Devakunjari Vadibeler joins the R&D team to help develop techniques to support product development and installations of affordable flood defence systems for homeowners.

She will develop ground surveying technologies and data processing tools to allow installation of Andel’s environmentally-friendly FloodWall, a modular perimeter flood defence system.

For the next 24 months, she will work on soil and sediment hydrology to support a sustainable flood defence design as an associate in the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) project with the Andel team and leading academics from the University of Leeds.

Vadibeler completed a doctoral study in Isotope Hydrology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.

She said: “I am thrilled to be a part of a company with a strong vision, as well as a well-coordinated and supportive team like Andel.

“It’s a team of individuals who are continuously pushing their limits together to accomplish greater success to achieve Andel’s goals.

“Working with Andel over the next two years, my goal is to develop a standardized operational procedure (SOP) on soil and sediment hydrology that focuses on improving the application of FloodWall® through laboratory works, ground surveying technologies and data processing tools.

“This protocol will enable customised installation approaches of the FloodWall®. I am eager to face the challenges and opportunities this experience holds for me.”

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A property consultancy has made two promotions in Doncaster.

Fisher German has promoted Arabella Olivant to senior surveyor and Michael Jones to senior client accountant. 

The promotions are among 46 that Fisher German has made across its 26 offices after a strong six months for the firm.

Olivant joined the firm in 2019 as a graduate surveyor and is in estate management, working across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Lincolnshire.

She said: “I enjoy the variety that arises from working with a diverse portfolio covering residential, commercial, and agricultural property.

“I am part of the growing estate management team in Doncaster, which is expanding to further support both our existing and new clients.

“I’m really pleased to receive this promotion. The number of promotions made across the business demonstrates Fisher German’s commitment to career development, and I look forward to continuing to progress within the company.”

The 46 promotions were made after Fisher German introduced its ‘Grow’ career progression framework, which is designed to give colleagues clear guidance on what is needed to progress, and the responsibilities needed at each level of the business.

Richard Benson, senior partner, said: “Promotions are an opportunity to reflect and recognise the fantastic achievements of our people and to celebrate their progression in the business.

“The ‘Grow’ programme was launched as a way of enabling colleagues to better understand how they can progress their careers here, and all 46 promotions as a result of the programme are thoroughly deserved.”

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Accountancy and advisory firm, Azets, has appointed a new tax partner based in Leeds as the firm seeks to develop an additional service offering.

Nick Cullen has been named as UK head of the recently launched transfer pricing team, which is set to challenge the Big Six firms.

He has 15 years’ experience in delivering transfer pricing solutions for a range of clients from FTSE100 companies to owner-managed businesses (OMBs).

Cullen joins Azets after six years in a transfer pricing director development role at BDO, based in Leeds, and previously worked at PwC in a variety of tax roles.

He said: “This is a perfect challenge for me, both in terms of career development and in being at the forefront of setting up a new offering for such a progressive firm as Azets.

“What also appealed to me was that Azets is very much a national business, with senior people across all regions.

“Being able to offer a full breadth of transfer pricing services will enhance our ability to service larger, international clients and strengthens our position as a credible alternative to the larger firms.”

He is building a national team to include members located across the country and will be aiming to build awareness of the new offering both internally and externally.

With his appointment, Azets can now offer a key service to its larger client base which is crucial in maintaining compliance across their global footprint.

Becky Maguire, office managing partner for Azets in Leeds, said: “Nick is an important addition to our national and regional tax team and will be a crucial part of our growth strategy in the coming years.

“He has a deep understanding of the implementation and functional aspects of transfer pricing operating models as well as being an expert in thin cap analyses particularly in the private equity and leveraged buy-out market.

“He has hit the ground running and is busy building up his team, who will be a perfect addition to our locally delivered personalised client service offering in the UK.”