This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Lindsay Texel, Clarion

Clarion has boosted its property team with the appointment of Lindsay Texel, who joins from Squire Patton Boggs, as partner.

With 17 years experience as a commercial property lawyer, Lindsay first trained at Eversheds in Leeds, qualifying into the property team in 1998 before joining Hammonds, now Squire Patton Boggs, two years later and becoming a partner in 2007.

Lindsay has also completed secondments to Lloyds Banking Group and has dealt with several high value real estate finance transactions for Lloyds and for other major banks.

Clarion’s nine-strong property team provides a full range of property expertise from development, investment, asset management, corporate occupier work through to care homes, leisure and secured lending.

Martin Grange, partner and head of property at Clarion, said: “With a strong track record as a leading specialist in the property sector, Lindsay has worked with a number of high profile clients and is a welcome addition to the team, helping us to cope with increased client demand as the market continues to pick up. Having been recognised in Chambers UK 2015 for being ‘pragmatic and commercial’ and noted for her ‘great client relationships’, Lindsay will fit well with the Clarion ethos.”

Lindsay added: “Clarion has a great reputation and a refreshing approach as a law firm that invests in building long term client relationships and getting close to their business in order to add value by acting as a trusted adviser. I hope that my skills will further boost the growing property team.”

Simon Pallett, Carter Jonas LLP

Property consultancy Carter Jonas LLP, which has offices in Leeds, York, Harrogate and Boroughbridge has appointed Simon Pallett as the new chairman.

Mr Pallett, who is a partner of the firm, takes over from John Henniker-Major who has been chairman since 2007.

Mark Granger, chief executive of Carter Jonas, said: “John Henniker-Major has successfully overseen much of the change that has brought us so far in the last ten years. This is an exciting time for the firm and we have an ambitious growth strategy in place in order to attract excellent people and to continue to provide the very best service for our clients. I very much look forward to working closely with Simon to realise our exciting plans for further expansion over the next five years.”

Simon Pallett added: “It is a great honour to be elected by my fellow partners to head the firm, which has grown exponentially over the last decade in order to offer a more complete service to our larger and increasingly varied client base.”

“A combination of organic growth and a series of mergers and acquisitions has seen Carter Jonas expand the breadth of its operations across its planning and development, commercial, residential and rural teams. The firm now has over 700 people working from 35 offices nationwide.”

Lauren Maloney, P&A

Sheffield’s P&A, an independent professional and financial services group, has Lauren Maloney has joined the firm as a Commercial Finance Broker.

After working in the banking sector for 9 years, Lauren will bring a wealth of experience to P&A’s Lender Services team.

Lauren started her career as a Clerical Assistant at Independent Lending, aiding both the mortgage and financial advisors in their day-to-day duties. In 2007 she joined NatWest Private Banking as a Relationship Directors Assistant, where she adapted the role of coaching and developing members of staff to increase the quality of leads generated which was down to her own outstanding performance.

In 2009, Lauren became a Relationship Manager at Lombard Business Direct Royal Bank of Scotland. In 2010, she was selected for a group of 5 from 35 individuals for the RBS Lombard Talent Programme, where she gained a certificate in Credit and Business Appraisal 1 & 2.

Steve Dunwell, Lender Services Divisional director, said: “2014 was a challenging year for many businesses. However, now in our 9th year, we feel 2014 was the best year for Lender Services in terms of finance deals being completed.

“This momentum has continued into 2015 and we feel that now is the right time to strengthen our team. Lauren’s appointment will allow us to maintain and, hopefully, improve our service levels whilst allowing us to source even more deals!

“Her achievements clearly show her endeavours for excellence in supporting her clients and we are delighted to welcome her to our team.”

Julian Bannister, Calbee UK

Calbee UK, the first European subsidiary of Calbee Inc, has appointed Julian Bannister as Business Development Manager.

Mr Bannister will support the brands profile and securing listings within the out of home and on the go sales channels.

With more than 8 years of experience working with a leading UK brand in a consumer facing position, Julian is confident that he can use his experiences to build relationships and introduce a completely new product to the UK market.

With the brief to gain widespread distribution of the Calbee product, which will launch in June, Julian is currently liaising with independent and network retail outlets such as cafes, forecourts, health clubs and vending suppliers to secure interest in the new snack.

Commenting on the appointment, Julian said: “The opportunity to be involved in a start-up business in the UK, albeit a major global snacking company from Japan, brings some exciting challenges. The product is a revolutionary concept for the UK but it is tasty and innovative so people have been really receptive. I look forward to the day that we are stocked throughout the UK in all out of home channels.”

Working from the company’s headquarters in Leeds, Julian will join the growing team that are working on the launch of Calbee’s first product which is expected to hit shelves from June.

Julia Caiger, Watson Burton LLP

Leeds’ Watson Burton LLP has retained a junior solicitor who qualified much earlier than previously expected.

Julia Caiger, from Leeds, has completed her training contract with the Newcastle-headquartered law firm after just one year and eight months.

Previous in-house experience at retailer Mamas & Papas Ltd meant that she has been able to qualify early into Watson Burton’s corporate and commercial department.

Julia first worked for Watson Burton in 2011 when she undertook a work experience placement in the firm’s Leeds office.

Julia gained experience working across Watson Burton’s key practice areas of employment, corporate and commercial and commercial litigation. She also completed a secondment to one of the firm’s key clients, Bellway plc, where she worked with the commercial director on a strategically important transaction.

Duncan Reid, head of corporate at Watson Burton, said: “As a firm we have been lucky enough to attract trainees that demonstrate real talent, commitment and loyalty year-after-year. Julia has consistently impressed us with her drive and positivity, and I am pleased that she has chosen to stay with us after qualifying. She will be a real asset to the team.”

Juila added: “Unlike other placements, at Watson Burton I was given the chance to gain experience on real cases. All of the staff were really encouraging, and took the time to explain the relevance of the work I was doing. I found the whole experience invaluable, and knew that I wanted to pursue a career with the firm in the future.

“Two years later in 2013 I relocated to the North East to start my training contract in the Newcastle office.”

Jo Ratcliffe, Ruth Bamforth and Tamsin Tinkler, Walker Morris LLP

Walker Morris appoints new Head of Pensions and expands team to meet growing demand in high value, complex pensions work.

Law firm Walker Morris has appointed Jo Ratcliffe as its new Head of Pensions and has expanded its pension team with the appointment of pensions barrister, Ruth Bamforth, to reinforce its specialist expertise in high value, complex pensions legal matters to meet the growth in demand.

Pensions partner, Jo Ratcliffe, is being promoted to Head of Pensions taking over the role from the Firm’s Chairman, Andrew Turnbull.

The highly experienced Pensions Team at Walker Morris has also promoted Tamsin Tinkler to Director.

The Walker Morris team provides pension law advice to a number of blue chip clients such as the Capita and Pensions Life Assurance Scheme, the Capita International Retirement Benefits Scheme, the Russell Hobbs Pension Schemes and Leeds Building Society.

The Team advises on all types of scheme, from Small Self Administered Schemes to large occupational pension schemes with asset values in excess of £800 million.

Ian Gilbert, managing partner at Walker Morris, said: “These appointments are driven by the fact that we are winning more and more, high value, complex pensions work where our expertise and experience is able to add real value.

“The Pensions industry is going through the biggest legislative change for many years, with radical amendments to the rules on the use of members’ defined contribution benefits. Our ability to provide a focussed and experienced team to provide advice on these issues has won favour with a number of our clients and as a result we’ve grown our business in this sector.

“Jo and Tamsin’s promotions are testament to the hard work and client commitment they’ve shown over the years and I would like to congratulate them on their success. Ruth’s appointment will reinforce the experience and resources of the Team and I look forward to welcoming her to the Firm.”

Rob Jewell, Land Securities

Rob Jewell has been appointed as Portfolio Director at Land Securities, overseeing the company’s Leeds shopping centres – Trinity Leeds and White Rose – as well as Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow.

Jewell joined Land Securities from ING in 2011, where he acted as an Investment and Asset Manager.

Prior to working on the shopping centre portfolio, Jewell was a Portfolio Director to Land Securities’ West End portfolio in London, overseeing the first ever expansion and complete digitalisation of Piccadilly Lights at Piccadilly Circus.

Trinity Leeds, which recently marked its second anniversary, is one of the UK’s best known centres. It continues to introduce premier brands and experiences to Leeds including new food concepts like Basque-culture dining, Pintura, which opened at the end of February, and award-winning Trinity Kitchen which will celebrate its second anniversary this October.

Meanwhile, Rob is also responsible for White Rose Shopping Centre and Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow – both with plans for widespread extension and redevelopment works.

Ailish Christian-West, head of shopping centres at Land Securities, said: “Rob is an asset to the Land Securities team, and will continue the great work in Leeds and Glasgow. Leeds is especially important given that Trinity Leeds and White Rose have achieved so much for the city and its regional economy. His energy and fresh outlook complements our contemporary and loyal catchments in the region.”