Professionals: Gordons, Sanderson Weatherall, Sleigh & Story

A PARTNER at law firm Gordons, Dan Stowers, has qualified as a counter fraud specialist.

Mr Stowers is head of the firm’s regulatory and business crime team. He was trained by the City of London Police Economic Crime Academy for the qualification.

He said: “Fraud is an endemic problem in the UK and across the world. Every day, individuals and companies fall victim to fraud and, in certain instances, can be accused of it.

“The cost of fraud to business runs into billions of pounds with huge levels of loss being borne by companies in the private sector. Through effective counter fraud planning, we can protect commercial and reputational interests when such scenarios occur.”

“At Gordons, we believe that prevention is better than cure. This approach allows us to work with businesses and assist them establish a strong anti-fraud culture by putting systems and policies in place which are highly effective should things go wrong.”

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Property consultancy Sanderson Weatherall has had its contract renewed with one of the UK’s biggest independent pharmacy businesses.

Formerly The Co-operative Pharmacy, the Well group has 165 branches in the North that Sanderson Weatherall will be advising on from their Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.

Their six year relationship lapsed last year after the The Co-operative Pharmacy was bought by the Bestway Group in October last year for £620m.

Meredith May, national property manager, Well, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Sanderson Weatherall again because we built up a good relationship and developed a very effective partnership with that organisation previously. In a nutshell, the firm has shown that it understands who we are and what we’re about.

The firm has over 780 branches and more than 7,000 employees in the UK.

David Rastrick, head of Sanderson Weatherall’s lease consultancy team, said: “We’re very proud of our long-standing relationship with The Co-operative Pharmacy and are now looking forward to delivering a range of benefits to Well at this interesting and exciting time for the organisation, which operates in a highly competitive market.”

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A Brighouse accountancy firm has celebrated its 10th anniversary with expansion into bigger offices.

Sleigh & Story opened new offices with the help of former Apprentice finalist Claire Young.

Peter Sleigh opened the firm in 2005 from a back bedroom, with Debbie Story joining as business partner six months later, and bringing with her experience from KPMG and retailer Asda.

Mr Sleigh is aiming for £1m turnover in the next five years, and increasing his team of 10.

He said: “In 10 years, the firm has established its presence at the heart of the local business community and we are looking forward to continuing to expand to meet the needs of local companies and organisations.

“Our new enterprise centre will allow us to deliver a holistic business approach to business and become the long-term partner we aspire to clients across the board.”