This week’s North West appointments

Ben Bradley, Joe Lockett and Ian Dawson, HURST

HURST, the accountancy and business advisory firm, has boosted its team with three promotions.

Ian Dawson is now an associate partner, while Ben Bradley has been made a manager within the company’s corporate finance team and Joe Lockett an assistant manager in HURST’s payroll services arm.

Ian joined the firm in 2012 and previously worked for professional services giants Ernst & Young and Begbies Traynor.

Ben trained with HURST from 2011 and joined the company’s corporate finance division last October from its business services team.

Joe, first appointed three years ago from BDO, will support HURST’s relationships with larger payroll clients and help to manage the firm’s expanding payroll offer.

Tim Potter, the chief executive of HURST, said: “Our corporate finance and payroll services teams are seeing strong growth and we are delighted to reward Ian, Ben and Joe for their contributions to that success.

“All three are rising stars at HURST and have proved themselves to be excellent professionals in their specialist areas.”

He added: “We always try to promote from within, and we do this by recruiting people who have the potential to grow with us.”

Nasar Hussain, LHS Solicitors

LHS Solicitors LLP has announced the appointment of Nasar Hussain within its Manchester-based commercial property team.

Nasar has joined LHS from Lancashire law firm Lance Mason.

In his new role, Nasar will use his experience advising on the sale, purchase and lease of commercial properties, the sale and purchase of retail companies and drafting constitutional documents.

LHS’ director of legal services, Murray Fairclough, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Nasar at such an important and exciting time of growth and development for LHS.

“Nasar’s experience makes him a real asset to LHS and he’s a positive addition to our property law team.”

Nasar commented: “I’m thrilled to be joining LHS, its reputation in the legal sector is one I have always admired and look forward to my future with the firm.”

Five appointments, Slater and Gordon

Manchester law firm Slater and Gordon has added five senior solicitors to its family team.

The appointments widen the breadth of expertise available through the company’s public and private law services, which range from child law and domestic violence or abuse to divorce and cohabitation.

Natalie Bruce (pictured above), who has joined Slater and Gordon from North West law firm Heaney Watson Solicitors, specialises in disputes over contact, residence, guardian work and domestic abuse.

Chris Fairhurst and Paul Webb, meanwhile, have joined the company as partners from Stephensons Solicitors LLP. Chris specialises in complex child work and finance. Paul focuses on private and public child law.

Additionally, Marc Etherington is joining Slater and Gordon from Braddon & Snow Solicitors, bringing with him seven years of experience in family law. Marc’s background includes acting for clients in matters involving children, cohabitation and divorce.

Slater and Gordon has also hired Sarah Jane Lenihan from Wellers Law Group. Following her appointment, she will work on all aspects of family law, including domestic violence, divorce, separation and child matters.

Amanda McAlister, the company’s head of family law, said: “Our approach has always been to give our clients access to a team of leading specialists in this area of the law – it’s so important to be able to get the best advice when going through life-changing events which have major implications for you and your loved ones.

“We are delighted to welcome our new team members as part of our nationwide recruitment drive.”

She added: “This diversification will allow us to strengthen our department of family law experts and give our clients unrivalled access to first-class legal services.”

Nicola Mason, Napthens

Nicola Mason has been chosen as the new HR director at Napthens, the North West law firm.

Nicola will step up from her existing role as a HR consultant within Napthens’ HR3 People team, where she provided strategic HR support.

As director of HR, Nicola will work with Napthens’ partners and senior management to help support growth.

Commenting on her appointment, Nicola said: “Advising employers on their HR strategies has been very rewarding, and many clients now see our team as an extension of their own businesses.

“Helping to build up our consultancy service to where we are seen as a trusted partner has been an achievement I am very proud of.”

She added: “While I will continue to work with a small number of clients I’m very much looking forward to the challenge of heading up Napthens’ internal HR function. Napthens takes its responsibilities to its employees very seriously.”

Nicola has worked with Napthens since 2015, joining the firm following a career in sectors such as recruitment, business process outsourcing, and oil and gas.

Napthens CEO John Whittingslow (pictured) said: “Nicola has proven she is a trusted and experienced member of the team and has a great working knowledge of other businesses.

“We are looking forward to see her bring her skills to her new role.”

He continued: “We have always been very clear that our strategy is to become the best law firm in the North West and there is no doubt HR will play a key role in this goal.”

Richard Hepworth and Laura Pointon, Brabners

Commercial law firm Brabners has appointed Richard Hepworth to the role of partner and Laura Pointon as a solicitor to strengthen its Manchester-based corporate and employment teams.

Bringing over 25 years of experience to his new role, Richard specialises in corporate transactions with experience advising large, owner-managed companies on international deals.

He joined Brabners from Manchester law firm Pannone Corporate, where he acted for clients across various sectors and built a strong Russian client base.

Laura, an employment solicitor, previously worked as an in-house legal director within the recruitment industry. She has eight years of experience in employment law, having advised both commercial and private clients on a range of issues.

Richard said of his appointment: “Brabners’ corporate team is one of the most active in the region, with a high-quality client base and a strong track record.

“My experience on cross-border transactions will allow me to work closely with the team as we continue to build this further.”

Brabners managing partner Mark Brandwood commented: “Our corporate team consistently supports its national client base on a wide range of matters, with the team frequently advising on international deals and this is something we foresee increasing.

“Richard’s international credentials make him an ideal fit and ensure he will be an important part of the firm’s growth in this area.”

He continued: “Bringing Laura into the firm continues our long history of employing people with on the ground experience of working in the sectors we serve.

“Her recruitment and in-house expertise mean she is exactly what we look for – a commercially minded lawyer.”

Sue Appleton, McHale & Co Solicitors

McHale & Co Solicitors has appointed a new head of conveyancing.

Sue Appleton has joined the company from Bury-based law firm Butcher and Barlow, where she held the post of head of conveyancing and also served as a partner.

At McHale & Co, she will head up the conveyancing department and likewise take on the role of partner.

Commenting on her appointment, Sue said: “I am delighted to be joining McHale and Co as they continue to grow their business.

“This will be a fresh challenge for me and I plan to build on the existing skills and talents at the firm to develop a quality conveyancing service focusing on delivering excellent customer service.”

She added: “There is team of about 15 in the department and any residential conveyancing comes under my remit. The plan is to expand and make it bigger and better.”

Sue has been qualified as a solicitor since 1994 and studied law at Wolverhampton University.

Managing partner Andrew McHale said: “Sue is a key appointment for us and our expansion plans, and we spent a long time making sure we got the right person to put us in the best position to offer a quality service.

“People with Sue’s management skills and level of expertise are hard to find, and she will spearhead the growth of our property department.”

He continued: “The Manchester property market is buoyant – you only have to look at all the cranes on the skyline – and we are backing it.”

McHale & Co is headquartered in Altrincham with additional offices in Stretford and Heywood.

Simon Devonshire and Mark Duman, Intelesant

Digital healthcare firm Intelesant has announced two new appointments.

Simon Devonshire OBE, currently the government’s entrepreneur in residence, has joined Intelesant in the role of non-executive director.

Mark Duman has been hired as director of market development.

Simon’s experience working with tech companies includes running mobile operator O2’s business division for five years and helping to scale up a number of businesses in the sector.

He was awarded an OBE earlier this year for his services in support of enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Mark, meanwhile, will oversee the launch of Intelesant’s Howz energy data platform to the commercial market.

A pharmacist by profession and also a lecturer at the University of Salford, Mark’s previous experience includes roles at Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust, The King’s Fund and the BBC.

Intelesant CEO Jonathan Burr said: “These appointments have allowed us to make significant progress with the development of Howz and our intended route to market.

“Having Simon and Mark on the team has undoubtedly strengthened the company and puts us in a very confident position moving forward with the launch phase of Howz.”

He continued: “Both are highly experienced in their respective business fields and we’re delighted they’ve chosen to join us at the start of what we hope to be an exciting period of growth for the business and this pioneering technology.”