Appointments: Walker Morris, P&A, Bridge McFarland
A NEW head of pensions has been appointed at Walker Morris to handle the expanding team.
Jo Ratcliffe has taken over from chairman Andrew Turnbull in the position, and has boosted her new team with the appointment of Ruth Bamforth, who is joining from Gordons LLP.
The pensions team has also promoted Tamsin Tinkler to director, who was ranked as “an associate to watch” by Chambers & Partners in 2014.
Ian Gilbert, managing partner at Walker Morris said: “These appointments are driven by the fact that we are winning more and more, high value, complex pensions work where our expertise and experience is able to add real value.
“The Pensions industry is going through the biggest legislative change for many years, with radical amendments to the rules on the use of members’ defined contribution benefits.
“Our ability to provide a focussed and experienced team to provide advice on these issues has won favour with a number of our clients and as a result we’ve grown our business in this sector.
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Humber law firm Bidge McFarland is boosting its employment department after recruiting Jo Wright, a chartered legal executive.
She will join the Hull team with expertise in business immigration, and has come over from Andrew Jackson Solicitors.
Lee Whiting, a partner and employment law specialist at Bridge McFarland, said: “Having worked with Jo for many years at a previous firm I have seen first-hand the great service that she delivers.
“Clients have always found Jo to be responsive, cost-effective and a great person to deal with.
“Jo has a niche specialism in advising employers in the recruitment of highly skilled migrant workers from outside the EU. She is well known as the market leader in the region for this type of work and that expertise will further enhance the support and assistance Bridge McFarland can give to its clients”.
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Professional servies group P&A has announed that Lauren Maloney has joined as a commercial finance broker.
She has spent nine years working in the banking sector, at NatWest as a relationship directors’s assistant, then a relationship manager at Lombard Business Direct Royal Bank of Scotland.
Lender services divisional director, Steve Dunwell, commented: “2014 was a challenging year for many businesses.
“However, now in our 9th year, we feel 2014 was the best year for Lender Services in terms of finance deals being completed.
“This momentum has continued into 2015 and we feel that now is the right time to strengthen our team.
Lauren’s appointment will allow us to maintain and, hopefully, improve our service levels whilst allowing us to source even more deals!
Her achievements clearly show her endeavours for excellence in supporting her clients and we are delighted to welcome her to our team.”
