People: Clive Owen; FOD Mobility Group; Ware & Kay Solicitors; and more

Clive Owen LLP, accountants and business advisers, has consolidated the growth of its York office with the appointment of Michael Cantwell as a new partner in its Corporate Finance team.

The firm says his appointment and the growth of the York office to a team of 16 reflects increasing business confidence in Yorkshire and The Humber region.

Cantwell brings more than 20 years of merger and acquisition expertise, particularly in advising owner-managed businesses across diverse sectors.

In his role leading the Corporate Finance team he will focus on supporting owner-managed businesses with their growth plans, from early stage through to a potential exit.

Cantwell said: “I am thrilled to join Clive Owen LLP, a firm renowned for its proactive and client-focused approach.

“I have known of the firm and its reputation for many years and am really looking forward to contributing to our clients’ success and working with the fantastic teams across the firm’s offices.”

Phillipa Symington partner at Clive Owen in York, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Michael who is well placed to support the team in York as we pursue further ambitious growth plans.

“This is a region that is on the up, as demonstrated by the latest Business Confidence Index and as a firm we are well placed to take advantage of this.

“Michael’s extensive experience and dedication to client service are invaluable. His expertise will undoubtedly enhance our capabilities and reinforce our commitment to serving the business community.”

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Multi-platform technology company FOD Mobility Group, has appointed Joe Howick as group CEO.

Howick has been serving as Fleetondemand CEO, and formerly chief commercial officer, on the group’s executive board since he joined the company in 2019.

He has a track record of almost 30 years’ senior commercial experience in the fleet and rental industries, including previous positions at FleetEurope, Zenith, and Leasedrive Group.

In his new role he will be working with the leadership team to continue driving the strategic growth of FOD Mobility Group’s business & technology throughout the UK and Europe.

Howick said: “I am happy to be leading the next phase of growth for the group, building on the success of the business.

“The recent implementation of our new business development strategy is well underway, and our current focus is to continue building our existing customer base in the UK, and expanding our presence in the European market.”

Group founder, Justin Whitston, will be moving to a new role as non-executive director as part of this natural succession plan and remains the majority shareholder of the group.

He will continue to work with the executive board supporting the continued growth of the group.

Whitston added: “As the founder of FOD Mobility Group the timing is right for Joe to lead the group onwards into the next chapter of the company’s development and I look forward to supporting him and the team in the continued success of the business.”

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Law firm Ware & Kay incorporating Pearsons & Ward Solicitors has confirmed paralegal Lucy Wardle has passed her Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE).

The SQE exam is designed to ensure aspiring solicitors possess the necessary knowledge and skills to provide legal services effectively.  

By passing the SQE, Wardle has demonstrated her competence in various areas of law. Passing the SQE opens up opportunities for career progression in the legal profession.  

Wardle started her legal education in 2012 at the University of Sheffield studying Law with Criminology.

She completed her degree after three years and graduated in 2015 with honours. She then joined Ware & Kay in 2019 and went on to study the SQE Course in 2023, completing her last exam in January 2024.

Wardle said “I am thrilled to have reached this milestone and excited about the next stage of my legal career. 

“I am very grateful for the support of my mentors and colleagues who have been there for me every step of the way.  This achievement motivates me to continue growing and learning as I pursue my passion for law.”

Sian Foster, director and head of private client (York), said: “It is a testament to Lucy’s hard work and perseverance that she has put into this journey towards becoming a solicitor. 

“This is a remarkable achievement and marks a significant milestone. Passing the SQE exams demonstrates Lucy’s dedication, knowledge and skills in the field of law paving the way for her to pursue her aspirations as a solicitor.”

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An insolvency practitioner who has operated across Yorkshire and Teesside for over 25 years, Dave Broadbent, has been appointed as regional chair of R3, an insolvency and restructuring trade body.

Broadbent, who lives in Northallerton, began working in the insolvency sector in 1997, becoming one of the UK’s youngest insolvency practitioners when he began taking formal appointments at David Horner & Co in 2005.

He assisted in growing the practice which was acquired by Begbies Traynor in 2007, before going on to establish his own firm, Broadbents, in 2010 which became part of Begbies Traynor five years later.

Since then, Broadbent, a partner at Begbies Traynor, has led the firm’s offices in York and Teesside, specialising in advising small to medium-sized owner-managed businesses as well as the pub sector, hairdressing franchisees and charities, across the full range of insolvency issues.

He has been a member of R3 for nearly 20 years and more recently has also served on the Yorkshire Regional Committee.

He takes over from Eleanor Temple, barrister at Kings Chambers in Leeds and recently appointed as King’s Counsel, who has been regional chair of Yorkshire and the Humber for the last seven years.

In his new role, Broadbent will continue Eleanor’s work, supported by new deputy chair Jodie Wildridge, an insolvency barrister at Exchange Chambers in Leeds.

Broadbent said: “I’m very proud of the work I do as an insolvency practitioner, and, having practiced within the Yorkshire region for over 25 years, I felt it was time to give something back.

“It’s also a great opportunity to promote the positive role played by reputable professionals within the insolvency sector.

“We’re fortunate that Yorkshire is one of the largest and most dynamic centres for the profession and, together, we’re responsible for supporting hundreds of businesses every year, often in very difficult situations.”