Appointments: Beach Baker, Bridge McFarland, Ridley & Hall

PROPERTY recruitment firm Beach Baker has appointed Matt Jackson and Shane Friend as specialist consultants in the firm’s Leeds office.

Beach Baker has additional offices in London and Bristol, and Mr Friend will boost the team with a background in facilities management, whilst Mr Jackson specialises in businesses services, through the North.

Mr Jackson said: “I see this role giving me an exciting opportunity to build upon Beach Baker’s presence in the business support sector across the North.

“With an already established client base I look forward to making my introductions and presenting another arm of the Beach Baker business.

“Coupled with my previous 9 years’ experience in recruitment and commitment to the sector I have the tools to make my stamp in the property market”.

Simon Norris, head of office, says “I am delighted that both Shane and Matt have joined the business, it is a positive step and translates how well Beach Baker are operating within the Property sector amongst our competitors.”

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Bridge McFarland has promoted two of its associate solicitors to partner level in the firm’s Hull and Grimsby offices.

Mike Wilson is a commercial litigation specialist and trained at Hull firm Andrew Jackson.

After qualifying in 2005 he jumped from hlw Keeble Hawson to Walker Morris, before joining the firm three years ago.

Michael Searle who has been promoted in Grimsby, joined Bridge McFarland as a trainee in 2008, qualifying as an associate solicitor in 2010. He specialises in advising major banks on due diligence and security, mergers and acquisitions.

Rob Ripley, partner and head of department for dispute resolution, said: “These promotions recognise the ability and hard work of Mike Wilson and Mike Searle, who work together very closely to provide advice on a range of legal issues to business clients on both sides of the Humber.

“They are important members of our expanding team of very capable and highly experienced commercial lawyers who are building our client base and our reputation.”

Bridge McFarland employs around 200 people in Hull, Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth and Market Rasen.

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Huddersfield solicitors Ridley & Hall has hired Victoria Maude, who has joined from another firm where she was appointed partner in 2010.

Ms Maude joins an expanding department of Jill Waddington, the head of the department, Hilary Sisson and Helen Webster.

Ms Maude said: “I am excited to join such a vibrant and well respected firm as Ridley & Hall. I am looking forward to the challenges that will come and the many exciting projects we have in the pipeline.”

Jill Waddington said: “It is great for us to be able to bring Victoria on board to add to the strength of the team particularly in relation to advising the elderly in which we have a particular niche.”

Managing partner, Adam Fletcher, said: “I am delighted that Victoria has joined the team to advance her career and complement our experienced Wills & Probate department.

“She is well known for her expertise and straight-talking approach with clients. Victoria also complements the recruitment undertaken across Ridley & Hall in recent times and demonstrates our commitment to offering expertise in all areas of the practice.”