People: Dealmaker joins hlw Keeble Hawson; Law firm makes board appointment and more…

 Dealmaker Matt Ainsworth is joining the team at hlw Keeble Hawson as a corporate partner.

Ainsworth has nearly 20 years’ experience in all aspects of corporate finance and private equity transactions, joint ventures and company reorganisations.

hlw Keeble Hawson managing partner, Paul Trudgill, said: “I am delighted to welcome Matt to the firm. He is widely acknowledged and respected as one of Yorkshire’s top corporate lawyers and his appointment demonstrates our ambition to offer the best talent and service of the highest quality to our clients.

Matt Ainsworth said: “hlw Keeble Hawson’s reputation as a leading independent regionally focused firm is second to none and the opportunity to play an instrumental role in the next stage of its development was too good to miss.”

With offices in Sheffield, Leeds and Doncaster, hlw Keeble Hawson is one of the region’s biggest law firms.

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Berwins Solicitors has promoted head of residential property, Jo Randall to its board of directors.

Randall, who joined the Harrogate and Leeds-based firm in January 2016, took on management of the property team in June.

“Jo has proved to be a fantastic and inspirational member of the Berwins team” said managing director Sarah Smith.

“With her passionate commitment to the high levels of client care and service, she compliments the culture and ethos which has been at the heart of Berwins’ success over the past 30 years.”

Randall added: “I’m delighted to have joined the board at Berwins.

“Together with the fantastic team here, we have some exciting plans to deliver on Berwins’ well-earned reputation locally as ‘deal makers’ and not ‘deal blockers’, supporting families and individuals to secure homes and properties.”

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Infrastructure and energy expert John Bruce has been promoted to partner at the Leeds office of law firm Pinsent Masons.

Bruce specialises in the delivery of complex projects both in the UK and internationally, acting for procuring authorities, private sector sponsors and funding vehicles.

Head of Pinsent Masons’ Leeds office, Chis Booth, said: “The promotion of John is an indication of our investment in Yorkshire and, given his involvement in complex infrastructure and energy projects, a strong example of UK and international businesses buying legal services from the region.

It reinforces our ability to offer complex, innovative support for businesses locally, within the UK and across the globe.”

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Savills has announced four fee earner promotions in its Leeds office.

Paddy Carter of the office agency team has been promoted to director, after joining Savills as a graduate in 2010.  He advises major landlords and occupiers across Yorkshire and the North East, with high profile instructions including 1 East Parade, 6 East Parade, 9 Bond Court and 1 City Square.  Carter’s clients include Legal & General Investment Management, Aviva and BMO Real Estate.

Moving up to associate director level is Miriam Duffy from the property management team and Maria Boyce of the planning division.  Duffy provides asset and property management advice across retail, industrial and office schemes to institutional and corporate clients including Kames Capital, Redefine International, Curzon Advisors and Deutsche Bank. 

Boyce has more than 13 years experience in the private sector, advising on a range of planning and development projects including large-scale residential applications, land promotion, heritage and city centre projects with key clients including private landowners, estates, house builders and investment funds.

Meanwhile, Kirsty O’Donnell of the development team has been promoted to associate.  She joined Savills in 2013 and advises a range of landowner and house builder clients on the disposal of immediate and strategic residential development opportunities, development consultancy and valuation.

Paul Fairhurst, head of Savills Leeds, says: “I would like to congratulate Paddy, Miriam, Maria and Kirsty on these very well deserved promotions.  Each has consistently delivered excellent results, contributing to the success of their teams and the wider Leeds office.”