People: Walker Morris adds contracts lawyer to team; Duo join Dacres Commercial; New NED for Fishing Republic and events chief exec steps down

Law firm Walker Morris has hired contracts lawyer and former Competition and Markets Authority adviser Richard Butterworth to its team.

Prior to joining Walker Morris, Butterworth worked at the CMA and its predecessor, the Office of Fair Trading, for over five years where he advised on a number of complex investigations.

He trained and qualified at Freshfields in London and Washington DC and has also taught contract law at the University of Leeds.

David Kilduff, head of the energy, infrastructure & government team, commented: “Richard’s pedigree speaks for itself. He has excellent insight into the many challenges that clients often face navigating commercial issues in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Richard’s experience, across different commercial sectors including the public sector, regulated industries and utilities will be an asset to our clients.”

This latest appointment follows that of commercial partner James Crayton and Kate Webster as a director.

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Fiona Bellamy has been promoted to senior associate and Matt Brear has been promoted to senior surveyor at Dacres Commercial in Leeds.

Bellamy joined the leading property firm 10 years ago and is part of the firm’s healthcare division, undertaking rent reviews and valuations on medical centres and pharmacy premises for commercial landlord clients, and other professional work for public and private sector clients.

Brear qualified as a chartered surveyor in 2015 and is responsible for the commercial agency operation in Leeds and Ilkley.

Bellamy said: “During the last 12 months alone, we have carried out more than 100 GP surgery and pharmacy rent reviews as well as approximately £1 billion worth of valuations on behalf the primary care sector’s leading lenders and investors. In addition, we also manage an extensive portfolio of specialist primary care buildings.”

David Ogilvie, who heads up the healthcare team at Dacres Commercial, said: “We have an unrivalled track-record throughout the healthcare sector working with specialist lenders, medical practices, NHS Trusts, developers and property funds, and Fiona plays an invaluable role within the division. She is highly capable and has all of the relevant experience and skills needed to succeed in this specialist market, and she thoroughly deserves this promotion.”

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Listed tackle retailer Fishing Republic has hired Iain McDonald, 45, as a non-executive director from March 2017.

He has more than 20 years’ experience in investment, in particular in the retail and e-commerce sectors. Over the last 10 years, he has been investing directly into the online and technology sectors including The Hut Group Limited, ASOS plc, Boohoo.com plc, MetaPack Limited and Anatwine Limited.

McDonald previously worked in investment banking at Numis Securities and ING Barings-Charterhouse, where he specialised in retail and ecommerce companies.

He was an NED of Maison Seven Limited (trading as Atterley.com) which was placed into administration on 5 January 2016 and moved into creditors’ voluntary liquidation on 13 December 2016. The liquidation process is ongoing.

McDonald holds 300,000 shares or 0.8% of the company’s shares having invested alongside Bill Currie and Sir Terry Leahy in the placing announced on 27 June 2016.

James Newman, Chairman of Fishing Republic, commented: “I am delighted welcome Iain to the Board of Fishing Republic. He brings with him a wealth of experience in both the retail and e-commerce sectors, which will be very valuable to the Company as we continue to implement our growth strategy.”

Mr McDonald currently holds 300,000 ordinary shares in the Company.

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The chief executive of entertainment venue operator SIV is retiring after 21 years at the helm.

Steve Brailey, MBE, who took the top job at the Sheffield City Trust (SCT) and its operating company SIV in 1996, will step down from the role in August this year.

The SCT and SIV have been instrumental in transforming Sheffield’s underused and closure-threatened sports facilities built for the World Student Games into modern venues for the whole community.

Brailey said: “It’s been an absolute honour to have worked in such a rewarding role for so many years. To look back on everything we’ve achieved over the last 21 years is actually quite unbelievable.

“But none of it would have been possible without the dedication, commitment and expertise of a tremendous group of executives, trustees, managers and staff, who have all played a critical role in delivering our huge range of successes and achievements for the benefit of the people of Sheffield.”

SIV’s team of more than 1,200 staff help to stage more than 2,000 events per year and have enjoyed many significant accolades.

Alex Pettifer, chairman of the 7 Hills Leisure Trust, which is part of Sheffield City Trust, said: “Steve has been a determined and dedicated chief executive throughout his time at SIV. He has developed, encouraged and motivated people to the highest standard and will be an extremely difficult person to replace.

“His retirement comes at a challenging time for the organisation but we are confident that the example he has set will be taken on by everyone across the organisation, as well as his successor. We all wish Steve the best of luck with his pending retirement.”

Bailey’s replacement will be announced in due course.