Appointments: Silk Family Law, Freeths, Cascade HR, Young’s Seafood
Carol Arthur joins the firm as a consultant communications director after spending 15 years at two Harrogate press relations agencies. She is also a trustee of Leeds Mind.
Wayne Lynn has been promoted from associate to partner, while Harriet Reid from the firm’s North Yorkshire office in Aske has been made an associate.
Head of the Aske office, Margaret Simpson, who founded Silk Family Law five years ago with solicitor Kim Fellowes and barrister Ian Kennerley, said: “These internal promotions are part of our commitment to developing and nurturing top legal talent as the firm looks forward to the next five years.
“Appointing a communications consultant will enable us to raise our profile among key audiences, and drive the firm’s growth.”
The practice won Law Firm of the Year at the Northern Law Awards 2015 and has received top tier rankings for five consecutive years in both Legal 500 and Chambers UK.
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LAW firm Freeths has expanded its Sheffield office with the appointment of Max Marrison, who joins as a partner in the real estate team in South Yorkshire.
He will team up with partner Peter Baker and associate Rachel Houghton in the team and becomes Freeths’ third appointment in as many months, following Lisa Wallis and Peter Crawford who both joined the firm’s corporate team.
Mr Morrison specialises in all aspects of commercial property and complex transactions including drafting, negotiating and completing development agreements, options, forward funding agreements, agreements for lease and leases.
Freeths’ managing partner for Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, John May said: “Freeths has continued to develop the services in Sheffield over the last 2 years, and the addition of Max to the team will only continue to strengthen our foundations.”
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LEEDS specialist software company Cascade HR has hired a new commercial director.
Jayne Clarke has more than 20 years’ experience spanning sales, and joins Cascade from the team’s parent company IRIS Software Group.
This appointment follows the recent announcement of Oliver Shaw’s appointment as chief executive Officer.
Mr Shaw said: “Having worked with Jayne before I have first-hand knowledge of the energy she brings to a team. Her strategic foresight is second to none, and she is well equipped to grow the business with utmost consideration for Cascade’s clients and her colleagues.
“We have a great mix of personalities within the senior management team, which makes for very exciting times ahead.”
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FOLLOWING the sale of Findus to Nomad Foods, Young’s Seafood will be appointing Bill Showalter as chief executive officer.
Formerly chief financial officer, Mr Showalter is replacing James Hill, the current CEO, who will be “pursuing opportunities outside the group.”
Mr Hill, who joined in April 2013, will retain a non-executive role as an advisor to the Young’s Holding Group board.
Bill Showalter, currently Chief Financial Officer of the Holdings Group, will assume the responsibilities of CEO in addition to his existing duties. This will include financial control and corporate governance over the group’s remaining operations.
Dale Morrison, chairman of the Holdings Group board, commented: “I’d like to thank James profusely for his contribution to the group. Under his leadership, we have been able to grow turnover and profit in each of the last three years, make important acquisitions and participate in a landmark transaction within the European food industry – no mean feat for a company that had previously endured challenging times.
“My congratulations also go to Bill, who has also been instrumental to the Holdings Group’s recent progress and who is fully capable of expanding his remit to include CEO duties.”
