People: Switalskis; LCF Law; The Foundry Sheffield; and more
Law firm Switalskis has made a senior appointment to lead operations in its expanding clinical negligence team.
Helen Richardson joins in the new position of clinical negligence operations lead. Her role will involve further shaping Switalskis’ vision for operational management, focusing on efficiency, resource management, client service, and strategic planning.
She brings over 25 years’ experience as a civil litigation practitioner. An SRA-qualified solicitor and barrister, she holds the Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) qualification.
Richardson brings extensive experience in representing both claimants and defendants across various practice areas, including clinical negligence, employment, and public liability.
She said: “This is an exciting opportunity and I’m looking forward to further elevating Switalskis’ operational focus.
“I’ve worked with lawyers at Switalskis in the past and the company’s values and culture align with my own. As clinical negligence operations lead, I’m committed to assisting our team to ensure we continually provide outstanding service to clients.
“Everyone has been incredibly supportive and already made me feel very welcome.”
Suzanne Munroe, director and head of the clinical negligence team, says: “This is a newly created role that will enhance the functionality and success of our growing team, ensuring it continues to deliver a high-quality customer experience.
“Helen has a strong track record in delivering performance. Her reputation and breadth of clinical negligence experience and legal expertise will be an asset to our team.
“Her appointment reflects our overall commitment to attracting, supporting, and retaining high calibre talent.
“I’ve no doubt she will be a great addition to our team and will help us to thrive by further developing our vision for the department.”
:::
Experienced HR professional Brendan Bah, who has spent almost 30 years working in both large-scale public and private sector organisations, has joined Yorkshire based LCF Law’s specialist employment law division.
He joins the firm’s Leeds office as an employment law advisor and will support LCF Law partner and employment law specialist, James Austin.
In his new role Bah will provide guidance on all types of HR related matters including disciplinaries, grievances and redundancies and will also be able to conduct disciplinary, grievance and other hearings on behalf of clients.
He will draft and update contracts of employment and HR policies and procedures, and explain legislative changes.
He will also be involved with LCF Law’s presentations, including mock employment tribunals, which are free to attend and give employers the chance to see first-hand how an employment tribunal hearing works in practice.
Bah has worked in HR since 1995 and most recently worked as HR business partner at ivolve Care & Support, which is one of the largest adult social care providers in the UK.
Prior to that he was a HR advisor at Premier Farnell in Leeds and he’s also worked for Leeds Arts University, Fox’s Biscuits, Asda and Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust.
He said: “HR legislation is continually evolving, and employers must be aware of the latest changes so they can be included in policies and procedures.
“However, generally these are similar across most industries, albeit tailored to specific roles and businesses.
“Many businesses don’t have a dedicated HR person and need advice on implementing their policies and procedures or even want someone else to conduct meetings or hearings for them. As an experienced HR adviser this is one of the areas where I can add value to a business.”
Austin added: “Brendan is vastly experienced and will be a great asset to our team. He’s handled every day HR issues but has also carried out complex projects like large-scale redundancies, and can act as an in-house HR manager and advisor for businesses as and when they require it.
“When this is combined with our legal expertise for more specialist matters, it adds to our already very compelling offering for businesses.”
:::
The Foundry Sheffield, a charitable organisation which manages the city’s Victoria Hall, has appointed a new safety and facilities officer.
The organisation has been running the Norfolk Street listed building since 2015, ensuring its safety and operating it in the interests of all tenants, users and visitors.
In his new role, Steve Birch will be responsible not only for the Victoria Hall but also for the other sites in the organisation’s portfolio – Sheffield’s Quaker meeting House, Walkley Ebenezer Methodist Church and Broomhill Methodist Centre.
Chief executive, Rose Durant, said: “Steve’s first priority will be to carry out fire and safety checks across all the properties supported by The Foundry Sheffield and ensure all the sites are safe and fit for purpose.
“Moving forward, he will help improve the services we offer, creating a better experience for all our visitors.
“The Victoria Hall alone is currently used by more than 1,500 people every week and organisations already working out of the building’s range of offices include Age Active, Assist and City of Sanctuary, while we are also the base for everything from homeless charity The Sunday Centre to Sheffield’s Philharmonic Orchestra.
“Our other sites are equally popular, offering an excellent range of community support services.”
:::
Credit: University of Hull
A global leader in the study and management of landslides has been unveiled as the new chair of Yorkshire Universities (YU).
Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, has pledged to “champion the region and its trailblazing collaborations” after it was confirmed he would be taking up the role on 1 August.
A regional powerhouse of 12 higher education institutions – YU’s core mission is to help build a more productive, prosperous, healthier, and sustainable region.
Petley is recognised as a leading expert in the study and management of landslides – and has been an adviser to national governments and international organisations.
During his two-year tenure as YU chair, he will be responsible for steering the organisation’s relationships with national and local governments, devolved institutions, business, further education colleges, and public sector partners.
He is a member of the Board of the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Hull Business Engagement Board, and contributes through Universities UK (UUK) and other national bodies to higher education policy and practice.
He said: “Universities play a vital civic role – engaging with the wider economy and society – connecting academics and students with communities, and helping businesses innovate, and recruit and retain graduate talent.
“We have the infrastructure and the capabilities in Yorkshire to work with the new Government to help it deliver on its growth ambitions, and to make a success of devolving more power to the region.
“We stand ready to use our unique assets and networks to support these objectives.”
He takes over the reins from Professor Karen Bryan, Vice-Chancellor of York St John University, whose term, as YU chair, finishes at the end of July.
Bryan said: “It has been a privilege to be the chair of YU, and to witness first-hand how every one of our members acts upon a shared commitment to bolster the economic, social and civic well-being of people and places in Yorkshire.
“I wish Professor Petley all the best with his tenure, and look forward to our continued collaboration with YU as we celebrate and harness the strengths of our region’s universities.”
YU executive director, Dr Peter O’Brien, added: “I am very much looking forward to working with Dave Petley to realise the aims and objectives of our member institutions, which include boosting job creation, and extending and improving opportunities in the region.
“I would also like to pay tribute to Karen Bryan for her leadership and support to YU during the last two years.”
