People: BHP; Brabners; Ramsdens Solicitors; and more

Independent accountancy firm, BHP, has appointed Mark Stanton as partner within its Digital Finance team.

He joins BHP’s joint CEO Lisa Leighton, head of digital finance Ellie Dignam and partners Daniel Sowden and Dermot Lucid, where he will bring his two decades of experience to continue to strengthen the team’s growing client base.

Originally training and qualifying as an accountant at a top 10 firm in Oxford, Stanton relocated to York in 2013 before becoming a partner at a Wakefield-based firm.

With experience of advising growing businesses in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, technology, and property, he will support and work with BHP’s clients in the North of the region.

He said: “I’ve known of BHP since I moved to Yorkshire over a decade ago and, having closely followed the firm’s success, I’m pleased to be able to join the team as it continues to go from strength-to-strength.

“With a fantastic client base across all sectors, I’m really looking forward to imparting my knowledge and drawing on my previous experience to support them.”

Dan Sowden, partner and head of BHP’s York office, said: “Mark’s appointment is a real success for BHP. As demand for digital finance support continues to grow, his understanding of supporting UK businesses on their growth journeys will be invaluable to our clients.

“Mark has a strong network of contacts across the North of England and extensive experience working across a variety of our key sectors, including manufacturing, property, and technology.

“He will play an important role as we continue to deliver best-in-class service, and we’re happy to welcome him to the team.”

Stanton’s appointment is the latest addition to the BHP team, with the firm recently confirming the creation of five new heads of service positions and 34 further promotions across its five offices.

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Independent law firm Brabners has grown its employment, pensions & immigration practice with the appointment of partner Andy Graham, who will enhance the firm’s employment specialism and develop a dedicated team in Yorkshire.

Based in Brabners’ Leeds office at One City Square, Graham brings more than 15 years’ experience to the employment team.

He advises clients in a wide range of industries such as retail, healthcare, financial services and manufacturing – including household names, public limited companies, private equity funds and senior executives.

Graham joins from Shoosmiths, having previously worked for Addleshaw Goddard in Leeds and CMS in Sheffield, where he developed a specialism in matters relating to trade union disputes. He also worked in-house for BAE Systems plc giving him invaluable industry insight.

He has extensive experience working for and undertaking advocacy for high-profile employers in tribunals in defending high value discrimination claims, as well as representing senior executives in relation to contractual agreements and exits.

He has spent the past seven years as a member of the Board of Trustees of mental health charity Leeds Mind, stepping down at the end of 2023.

Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, said: “As someone with both a strong grounding in the local market and advising household brands, Andy perfectly encapsulates our position as a firm anchored in the North but with national reach.

“Having worked on behalf of both claimants and defendants, his knowledge and expertise will be hugely beneficial as we continue to see a rise in employment-related claims.

“Importantly, he boosts our offering in Yorkshire and we look forward to quickly growing the team around him as our Leeds office goes from strength-to-strength.”

Graham added: “Brabners has quickly developed a healthy reputation in Yorkshire as a firm that genuinely places culture at its heart.

“Its commitment to make the difference to its people was evident from conversations with colleagues old and new and it’s a pleasure to now see that first-hand. I have been blown away by the talent already in the building and am excited about what the future holds.

“Having trained and qualified in Leeds, it’s extremely rewarding to see the legal sector thriving in the city, and I’m proud to be a part of the continued investment in it.”

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Yorkshire-based Ramsdens Solicitors has promoted Jennifer Slater, Katie Sharp, Jane Holroyd and Rosanna Drewery to the position of partner across its network of a dozen offices in the region.

Jolene Briggs has been promoted to conveyancing manager for the Calderdale region.

Paul Joyce, managing partner of Ramsdens Solicitors, said: “As a firm, we are committed to bringing on board new talent and giving them the support they need to develop their careers with us.

“It’s fantastic to see these five knowledgeable and committed lawyers moving up in the firm, and these promotions are well deserved recognition of their contribution to the continued growth of the firm.”

Working within the firm’s private client practice at its York office, Slater has over 18 years’ experience, including expertise in advising on wills and lasting powers of attorney.

She also specialises in lifetime tax planning, and the creation and administration of trusts and estate administration, in particular, estates with complex issues and agricultural estates.

She is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a member of the Law Society’s Private Client Section.

Having qualified as a solicitor in 2015, Sharp has worked in conveyancing for over 10 years.

Based at Ramsdens’ Mirfield office, she has in-depth knowledge of the residential property industry, including the sale, purchase and re-mortgage of freehold and leasehold properties as well as new-build, unregistered and help-to-buy properties.

She also deals with private mortgages, lease extensions and title splits.

Based at the Edgerton office, Holroyd is a partner in Ramsdens’ commercial property team.

Since qualifying in 2014, she has dealt for all types of property transactions, such as the acquisition and set up of development sites, buying and selling commercial freeholds and commercial leases from both the landlord and tenant perspective, including new leases, renewals and licences.

She also specialises in acting for SIPP and SSAS pension trustees in respect of pension schemes’ commercial property investments.

Having joined Ramsdens soon after her qualification in 2014, Drewery has become a partner in the child law practice and works across both West and North Yorkshire.

She has a specialism in public law proceedings, also known as care proceedings, and primarily undertakes work under the Children Act 1989, representing parents, grandparents and other family members. She also deals with special guardianship cases.

Briggs has become conveyancing manager for the firm’s Calderdale offices in Halifax and Elland.

Based in Elland, she deals with all types of conveyancing matters including freehold, leasehold, unregistered, equity, right-to-buy and auction properties.

She previously worked in a property practice in Leeds for 10 years before joining Ramsdens in 2014.

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Sheffield City Region law firm, Taylor Emmet, has made a series of 18 promotions across its offices in Sheffield, Rotherham and Derbyshire.

Amy Harris has been promoted to the position of senior associate and head of property litigation in the Dispute Resolution Department.

Recognised for her strategic thinking, she will now oversee all property litigation matters and lead the team with her expertise.

In addition, Oliver Simpson of the Private Client Department and Tasmin White of the Clinical Negligence Department have been promoted to the position of salaried partner.

The firm has also appointed four senior associates, seven associates, three senior supports and one paralegal.

The promotions are a part of Taylor Emmet’s Talent Enhancement Programme which helps individuals achieve their aspirations.

HR director, Sharna Poxon, said: “We are incredibly proud of the growth and achievements of all our team members, who consistently go beyond expectations in their commitment to our clients.

“I take pride in knowing that our workplace culture at Taylor Emmet is designed to foster growth and acknowledge that their success is our success. We continue to invest in our people, nurturing their talents, and creating opportunities for career progression.

Steve Hinshelwood, CEO, said: “We believe in fostering an environment where talent can thrive and be recognised. These promotions reflect the exceptional talent and commitment within our team.

“Each of these individuals have played a significant role in the growth and success of Taylor Emmet. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to their continued contributions in their new roles.”