People: Addleshaw Goddard; LCF Law; SMH Group; and more

International law firm, Addleshaw Goddard, has unveiled the new head of its Leeds office. 

Lucy Sturrock, a well known real estate lawyer, takes over the role from Pervinder Kaur after the end of her three-year term in office.

Sturrock will drive the firm’s operations and ambitious growth strategy in the city for the next three years.

She has been a prominent figure in legal community for many years, having originally joined Addleshaw Goddard legacy firm Booth & Co in 1993.

She has experience in a broad spectrum of commercial property transactions and has a particular interest in hotel and leisure property having co-chaired her practice’s Hotel Sector for many years.

Sturrock is particularly skilled in managing large teams, helping clients realise value from their existing portfolios, and advising on restructuring and national acquisition and disposal programmes.

She said: “I’m excited to have been asked to follow in Pervinder’s inimitable footsteps and take on the responsibility for driving Addleshaw Goddard forward in the city and beyond.

“We have a proud heritage and reputation in Yorkshire. The firm is growing at pace, with our 19th international office opening this month, but we are always rooted in the community here.”

Andrew Johnston, managing partner, added: “Lucy has the experience, connections and drive necessary to make a success of the role.

“Our firm is synonymous with the legal market in Leeds but we will never rest on our laurels, and as part of my overall growth agenda for the firm, we will build on what has been achieved in recent years.

“I’d also like to thank Pervinder for the contribution she has made over the past three years. Thanks to her dedication, the firm continued to thrive in what were challenging times.”

:::

A family law team will be led by experienced lawyer and partner, Harjit Rait, following her promotion at LCF Law.

Rait is a Resolution accredited specialist family lawyer, and she will manage the team, who are based across the firm’s Bradford, Leeds, Harrogate and Ilkley offices.

She said: “During my time at LCF Law I have been fortunate to help many people at difficult times in their lives.

“I always make sure that I deliver the best possible service when dealing with matters relating to their family, be it disputes around the arrangements for the children, or protection of assets before or after a marriage, as well as guiding them through the financial settlement process.

“Legally I make sure everything is watertight, but just as importantly, it’s my job to be there for my clients every step of the way emotionally.

“Each client is unique and needs to be fully understood and happy with the eventual outcome. As a family lawyer you need good inter-personal skills and I have always been a people person who is keen to understand, listen and find the right solution.”

Managing partner, Ragan Montgomery, said: “I’ve known Harjit since our university days, and I can confidently say she has the right personality and skills for the role.

“She builds excellent relationships with her clients, is a fabulous networker and is very supportive of the development of others.

“Her talent for forging and maintaining excellent working relationships during her 22-year legal career will stand her in good stead as she continues to build on the successes of our trusted family law team.”

:::

Yorkshire and Derbyshire-based chartered accountants, SMH Group, has appointed ACCA qualified senior manager, James Salim to director at its Sheffield office.

Salim will also be appointed as RI of Sutton McGrath Hartley.

He qualified in 2016 following a number of years with a large regional practice, joining SMH Group as a client manager in 2017 before being promoted to senior manager in 2023, and also gained his practising certificate and audit qualification in 2023. 

Specialising in Audit and Assurance, he uses his experience to advise the group’s larger corporate clients, in addition to advising clients across other service offerings including company accounts and taxes, personal tax, and estates and trusts.

He also has specialism with charities and the not-for-profit sector and leads this offering in the Sheffield office.

Jonathon Dickens, group partner at SMH, said: “As we’ve experienced substantial growth in recent years, and anticipate this trend to persist, it’s crucial to have the right team and infrastructure in place to take us to the next level.

“We have offered James a director role due of his dedication to providing clients with a first class service, and his impressive work in growing the audit department.

“James has also done some highly commendable work with charities and the not-for-profit sector.”

Salim said: “Since stepping up to become a senior manager in 2023 I have really enjoyed the responsibilities this brings, both on the client side and helping out with staff development. 

“The continued growth of the group has allowed me to develop as an individual, as well as playing a key role in the growth of our audit department in South Yorkshire.”

:::

Doncaster-based Finance For Enterprise (FFE) has further expanded its lending team following the appointment of Ben Merrick as a senior business lending manager.

He has nearly 20 years of experience supporting SME Businesses, working for high street banks and the last two years as a commercial finance broker.

In his role with FFE, Merrick will be supporting SME businesses with their growth aspirations, organising local events (including NetWalking) and meeting with commercial finance brokers to promote FFE and how it can support their clients.

He said: “I wanted to join a forward-thinking proactive funder and Finance For Enterprise is a responsible, ethical lender which is committed to helping SME businesses overcome growth barriers.”

The lender has secured a capital injection of £25m from Lloyds Bank and Big Society Capital (BSC) under the second phase of the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF).

This forms a part of a larger £62m investment initiative aimed at facilitating access to finance for small businesses across England and Wales.