People: Black Solicitors recruits six; Director hire for corporate team; CBRE appoints associate director to building consultancy team; and more

LEEDS-based law firm Blacks Solicitors has welcomed six new starters across the business.

The commercial dispute resolution team has been strengthened with two appointments, partner Darren Morgan and paralegal Aaron Johnson.

Mr Morgan, previously worked at Langleys Solicitors and joins Blacks with more than 25 years of experience in the legal industry. Mr Johnson has also joined the ranks after graduating from the University of Hull in 2015.

In October, the family team appointed Andrew Smith as associate solicitor. He brings a wealth of expertise having previously worked at Emsleys Solicitors and Bradbury Roberts & Raby.

Blacks’ commercial property team has welcomed associate solicitor Anushka Nicholas. She will be working primarily in the private client residential team.

Finally, the wills and probate team has introduced two new starters, both formerly of Cohen Cramer. Nicola White joins as an associate solicitor and Gail Sandford as a paralegal.

Ms White will be specialising in contentious probate issues and Ms Sandford will be using her skills in estate administration.

Managing partner at Blacks Solicitors, Chris Allen, said: “I’ve no doubt that these fine individuals will fit perfectly into their respective teams and bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience.   

“It is an exciting time for all of us here at Blacks, as we continue to expand and develop.”

:::

WEST YORKSHIRE-based JLA has strengthened its corporate team with the recruitment of corporate development director Sam Irving, corporate development manager Alistair Clarke and head of Legal Stephanie Beat.

JLA is an asset supply and service business offering end-to-end solutions in laundry, catering, infection control, compliance and safety and consumables.

Since 2013 JLA has made 11 acquisitions across the laundry and catering sectors.

Mr Irving said: “With the full support of our board and HgCapital, we have the mandate and team in place to really drive acquisitive growth across our existing business streams and into related areas such as heating, fire and security. We are all looking forward to getting out into the market.”

:::

THE Leeds office at CBRE has appointed Mark Rugg as associate director within its building consultancy team. Mr Rugg has been appointed to strengthen the company’s project management team.

He joins CBRE Leeds from Bowcliffe Chartered Surveyors where he was head of commercial building surveying for the last two and a half years.  

His new role will be focused on delivering some of CBRE’s major refurbishment and fit out projects currently underway in Leeds City Centre.

Richard Bamford, executive director of CBRE’s building consultancy team in Leeds, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to the team.  Mark’s previous experience will be a huge asset to the project management service we currently offer in Leeds, and we are confident his expertise will help to drive forward new business in the future.”