This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Yorkshire law firm Gordons has recruited partner Patrick Kemp to join its construction team.

Patrick has moved from Watson Burton, where he was a partner in the firm’s construction and engineering group operating out of both Leeds and Newcastle. In his new role, he will work directly with Richard Piper, Gordons’ head of construction.

Patrick has significant experience of providing practical, commercial advice for developers, funders, main contractors, sub-contractors, house builders and consultants. He handles non-contentious project and development matters.

In addition, Patrick specialises in construction disputes and has a track record of successful experience of litigation in the Technology and Construction Court. This includes representing one of the world’s leading engineering and design consultancies in major infrastructure disputes. He is also an expert in adjudication, arbitration and mediation.

He also regularly advises clients on construction contracts and any risk these documents present. This includes advising clearing banks and other funders on collateral warranties as security for development loans and house builders on building contracts and professional appointment documents.

Commenting on Patrick’s appointment, Richard said: “We are continuing to secure new clients and have seen an increase in instructions from existing clients, which is indicative of the improving economy.

“Patrick’s appointment therefore comes at exactly the right time for us. He is an expert construction lawyer with a great deal of experience across a wide variety of specialist areas. His knowledge and insight will be of significant benefit to current and future clients, and we’re confident Patrick will be instrumental in the continued growth of our construction team.”

Andrew Brown, Grant Thornton

Forensic accounting expert Andrew Brown is to lead Grant Thornton’s forensic and investigations services team across Leeds and Manchester.

Andrew joined Grant Thornton in January 2015 with 25 years’ experience in forensic investigation, working for leading firms, and will head up the 17-strong team across the north, assisting clients with complex investigations and legal disputes.

Andrew said: “This is a very specialist field, but one which is growing extremely quickly given the huge rise in fraud, together with the increasing sophistication of its perpetrators.

“We are seeing the size and complexity of financial disputes and investigations continuing to increase with a corresponding rise in demand for our services, particularly for cases involving computer forensics.

“As well as having access to more than 100 Grant Thornton forensic services experts across the UK, we will also be continuing to expand the team based here in the north.”

Andy Wood, practice leader for Grant Thornton in Leeds, added: “It’s great news that clients in Yorkshire will benefit from Andrew’s expertise in investigations. With Andrew leading this niche service area, I’m sure he will achieve his aim of establishing Grant Thornton as the number one forensic team in the region.”

Grant Thornton provides a joined up forensic solution covering specialist expert opinion, quantification of loss, electronic data capture, valuations and fraud and corruption solutions for, often complex, disputes and investigations.

James Milner, DTZ

DTZ has recruited James Milner as Director within its Leeds-based Valuation Advisory team.

Previously a Partner working within Sanderson Weatherall’s Valuation Services department, James joins DTZ’s growing UK Valuation Advisory team to specifically target the secured lending market within the Yorkshire region.

Over recent years James has established a wealth of secured lending contacts with key clients including Lloyds, HSBC, Santander, Handelsbanken, Yorkshire Bank and RBS / Natwest. He also deals with a wide range of second tier lenders who are rapidly becoming a key part of the secured lending market.

James has experience in valuing a wide range of property classes, both residential and commercial, with student living and retail investment being two specialist areas. He graduated from Sheffield Hallam University and joined Sanderson Weatherall in 2000.

James’ appointment will complement the existing, and ongoing expanding, Leeds Valuation Advisory team. He will be working alongside Chris Murfitt, Director who has over 12 years’ experience at DTZ.

Jeremy Payne, managing director, UK Valuations, commented: “I am delighted that James has chosen to join us at DTZ. As activity levels and opportunities increase in the sector, James’s appointment will add additional breadth to the existing team and help us with our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service to our growing client base.”

Keith Hardman, head of the Leeds office added: “James is a very welcome addition to our highly experienced Valuation Advisory team. He joins our expanding office and growing talent pool in the same week that I’ve been delighted to announce seven promotions.”

Alan Sheppard, Kelkay

Kelkay, the manufacturer and distributor of aggregates, has a new UK sales manager. Alan Sheppard, a GIMA council member and garden retail industry professional with 27 years’ experience, has joined the company to build on its close relationships with garden centre groups across the UK.

Alan joins Kelkay from Burgon & Ball, the manufacturer of agricultural and gardening tools, where he was head of sales. Here, he managed sales teams and contributed to the company’s dramatic increase in turnover. He was part of the Burgon & Ball team that won two consecutive GIMA Sword of Excellence awards.

Alan oversaw the development of key sales channels for Burgon & Ball. These included retailers such as, Hillier, Blue Diamond, Klondyke, Dobbies, Haskins and Wyevale. Outside the UK, he set up Burgon & Ball’s US distribution network.

Alan started his garden retail management career at Badshot Lea Garden Centre, one of the UK’s largest independent retailers. Headhunted by Sinclairs, he held the area sales manager and key account manager positions before joining Town & Country where he managed 15 sales people.

Richard Pyrah, sales director at Kelkay, said: “Alan has a deep understanding of our customers and knows this industry well. He’s also a proven people manager, which was a big plus for this appointment. His clear approach will help our whole sales team exceed the expectations existing and prospective customers have of Kelkay.”

Katie Wilson, Andrew Jackson

Regional law firm Andrew Jackson announces that it has recruited licensed conveyancer Katie Wilson to its growing property department.

Katie brings a wealth of specialist experience to Andrew Jackson having worked in residential conveyancing for almost 20 years. She deals with all aspects of freehold and leasehold sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfer of equity through to post completion stage.

Paul Barker, partner and head of property at Andrew Jackson, said: “I am delighted that Katie has joined our growing team. Our focus on providing an efficient and value for money service to our clients means that we continue to be very busy across all areas of residential property work.

“Katie has quickly proven herself to be a very knowledgeable lawyer who focuses on achieving her clients’ objectives and her appointment will enable us to sustain our growth in the residential conveyancing sector.”

Andrew French, Lucy Baird and Gabriella Smith, Brass

Brass has strengthened its PR and SEO offering with three key appointments; SEO Account Director Andrew French, PR Account Director, Lucy Baird and Account Executive, Gabriella Smith.

Andrew has 17 years’ digital experience working in-house and in digital agencies, most recently at Epiphany and Stickyeyes. He’s worked with brands such as Asda, BskyB, Hertz and GHD. Joining as SEO Account Director, Andrew will develop the agency’s content marketing and SEO offerings from a technical and creative perspective.

Lucy has returned to Brass after spending two years at Shackleton PR where she worked across the agency’s portfolio of consumer and business to business accounts including The National Apprenticeship Service, Action Aid and Direct Blinds.

Lucy said: “It’s great to come back to Brass as PR Account Director. I worked here for three years before leaving to join Shackleton PR where I had the opportunity to work with some fantastic clients and hone my PR skills. I’m now really looking forward to working with the team at Brass helping to grow the PR offering.”

Gabriella has joined Brass from her first PR role at Acceleris in Harrogate after graduating from Salford University with a degree in journalism.

Paul McGann, Brass managing partner, added: “The digital landscape has evolved and PR and SEO are now working much more closely together. Through these latest appointments we hope to join and leverage these two disciplines in order to develop stronger digital marketing plans for our clients, ultimately increasing their brand visibility and delivering a strong ROI.”

Andrew, Lucy and Gabriella will be working on Brass’ growing list of household names including, Hammonds Furniture, Haribo, First Bus, Slumberdown and Husky.

Kate Brown, Carter Jonas

National property consultant Carter Jonas has appointed Kate Brown to head up its new residential lettings agency at its York office on Micklegate.

The appointment comes as York continues to experience one of the highest rental growths in the UK.

An experienced valuer who has worked in property for four years, Kate joins Carter Jonas as lettings manager from Coalters Estate and Letting Agents where she was assistant letting manager. She will advise clients on all types of properties from city centre apartments to detached family homes.

Kate said: “Born and bred in York, I have a real passion for the city and everything it has to offer. I was seeking a new challenge in the residential letting industry and I am delighted to join the Carter Jonas team at this exciting time.”

Edward Stoyle, partner, residential sales, at Carter Jonas added: “Demand for rented property in York is at an all-time high with people being attracted to the city by the quality of life it offers, its history and vibrant city life, as well as the many pretty surrounding villages York - not to mention one of the best buy to let yields in the UK. Kate brings exceptional quality and experience of the competitive lettings market to the York residential team”.

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