People: Brabners; Park Place Corporate Finance; Edward Architects; and more

Independent law firm Brabners has invested in its pensions team with the appointment of new senior leadership as significant pension reform remains a key focus of government policy.

Kim Jones has joined as head of pensions alongside new partner Nigel Jones, and will lead the team in supporting the firm’s national client base.

The appointments come during a time of significant anticipated changes in the pensions sector as the Government targets better outcomes for pension savers while seeking to drive growth by facilitating pension fund investment in the UK economy.

Based in Brabners’ Leeds office, both Kim and Nigel join the firm from Freeths and will continue to be supported by legal director Max Ballad who also joins Brabners.

Nik White, managing partner, said: “The pensions landscape has shifted significantly in the last three years, influenced by both the Truss administration’s mini-Budget and now the current government’s ambition to leverage pension funds to support UK economic growth through the creation of new megafunds.

“Kim, Nigel and Max’s combined experience puts us in an excellent position to guide clients through this period of reform and consolidation.

“It’s a pleasure to bring them on board and to see the broader Leeds office growing further, having recently been recognised as employer of choice in the region.”

Kim Jones added: “2025 will continue to present challenges for those with responsibility for pension schemes as the government sets out to deliver the most significant reform in decades.

“For employers, funds and their trustees, the next few years will undoubtedly represent a period of change, and one they will need the support of experienced advisors to help them navigate.

“Working alongside Nigel, Max and the wider Brabners team, we very much intend to play our part in helping make the difference for clients old and new during what promises to be a period of profound change for public and private sector pensions.”

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Leeds-based Park Place Corporate Finance has confirmed that Danny Swanwick has been promoted to associate director in recognition of his ongoing contribution to the team and our clients since joining in 2022.

In addition, Jay Smyth has been appointed as a new executive in the team. After graduating with a first-class degree from the University of Durham, Smyth recently qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG. 

These developments, alongside Dan Renton joining as partner in July, bring the Park Place team to 13 people.

Ben Peacock, partner at Park Place, said: “Danny’s promotion and our further investment in the team reflects our confidence in both the M&A market and Park Place’s model of providing uniquely independent advice to shareholders and management teams.

“On the back of a very busy period at Park Place, activity and pipeline remain strong and we expect 2025 to be another successful year for the firm.”

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Leeds and London-based architecture practice, Edward Architects, has added to its growing team by appointing Graham Davey as architect.

The new hire will further strengthen the firm’s court protection and accessible design work, one of its core specialisms and expanding service lines.

Davey joins from Stage One Creative Services where he was project manager with a breadth and wealth of experience leading on large scale events and unusual builds.

Prior to that he was an architect with Pearce Bottomley Architects.

During his project management role, he led a range of high profile live events involving complex design from the Eurovision 2023 set build at the M&S Arena in Liverpool to The Art of All Pavilion by Roc Nation and Jay-Z at Olympia in Kensington which involved a four-week turnaround from contract to completion.

He worked on Moncler X’s Mercedes Reveal at Olympia which formed the centrepiece of Moncler’s London Fashion Week launch.

He has project managed a number of unusual builds including Bulgari’s Serpanti Lit Sculpture in Duke of York Square, Chelsea.

His expertise also spans work across visitor centres, new builds, primary care centres, golf centres and the Leeds Chinese Christian Church.

Graham Edward, MD, Edward Architects said: “Graham will be a fantastic asset to our team and brings a broad range of experience and expertise which has involved some unique and unusual builds.

“This will be invaluable in our accessible design and court protection projects.”

Davey said: “I am excited to join the team at Edward Architects as the business continues to build.

“The practice has such a breadth of skills and experience and I’m keen to further my own skills by learning from those around me.

“I have particularly enjoyed that the values of the practice align with my own, placing the client at the centre of everything we do.”

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