This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Langleys Solicitors has strengthened its private law division with the appointment of two legal professionals.

Andrew Gowar joins the York-based firm as partner while Judy Lankester comes on board as an associate solicitor.

Andrew has worked for law firms in Leeds and York, most recently as head of private client at Harrowells. He graduated from Durham University and the University of Law, where he is now a visiting lecturer.

He specialises in advising clients on estates, trusts and capital tax planning and has considerable experience of advising agricultural clients.

Judy specialises in agricultural law, dealing with farms and high value residential work for landed estates. In Yorkshire, she has worked for Walker Morris and Wilkin Chapman in Beverley.

Mark Day, head of the private law division at Langleys, said: “Andrew and Judy are significant hires for Langleys and will enhance our reputation for agricultural work and advising individuals on their personal and financial affairs, especially those from an agricultural background.”

Daniel Moriarty (pictured left), Armstrong Watson

Armstrong Watson has announced that Daniel Moriarty has joined the team in Skipton as accounting director.

Daniel brings with him over 15 years’ experience working in the area including Ilkley, Keighley and Skipton, supporting and advising owner managed family businesses, many of which are in the manufacturing and construction sector.

Daniel said: “I love being with clients and making sure they get what they need from us. It’s so much more than providing the numbers. I work closely with my clients, getting to know the business and the whole family. Trust is very important to me and I work hard to ensure that I have a trusting relationship with anyone who I work with.

“This gives me a better understanding of what they are about and their goals, which enables me to advise much more effectively. When you develop personal relationships it’s those things that come up in conversation that I can pick up on, and identify areas where we may be able to help that business or individual with their future plans.

“Moving to Armstrong Watson enables me to do this far more effectively than before, as the wider areas of specialist advice and experience enables me to deliver a more complete service, this ties in perfectly with ‘The Armstrong Watson Experience’, which is powered by Xero.

“My clients benefit from support which is coherent and joined up. Having the wider Armstrong Watson team behind me in order to deliver that specialist advice is very exciting – it allows me to better support my clients and help them in every stage of their business.

“Joining a larger firm also enables me to develop as an individual in my profession and I’m looking forward to working with the whole team.”

David Richmond, partner, commented: “Bringing Daniel into the team at Skipton is fantastic as his values, ethics and passions are very much in line with how we support clients as a firm. His dedication to his clients and delivering meaningful information to them in order to help them make the right decisions for their futures and the futures of their family businesses is exactly what we’re about.

“It comes at an exciting time for us a firm as we become the largest cloud accountant in the UK. This is strategically significant for us as we are focussed on helping our clients’ prepare for their futures as well as providing them with a tailored level of support which really adds value to their business.

“Daniel is already proving to be a much valued member of our team and our clients will benefit hugely from his approach to working with them.”

Josh Fielding and Lucy Clark, Shulmans LLP

Shulmans LLP, the Leeds-based corporate law firm, is strengthening its business recovery and insolvency team with a new appointment and internal promotion.

Lucy Clark, who joined the firm in 2013, has been promoted to associate.

Clark has specific expertise in investigatory work and asset realisation in complex bankruptcies, in addition to extensive knowledge of all matters relating to administrations, liquidations and voluntary arrangements.

Further strengthening the team is the appointment of Josh Fielding as an assistant solicitor. He graduated with distinction in his LPC at York’s University of Law and brings two years of experience in personal and corporate insolvency matters with him.

Both will play an integral part in the expansion of the department, providing legal services for insolvency practitioners, accountants, company directors, sole traders and individuals on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious insolvency.

Mark Wilkinson, Shulmans partner and head of insolvency & credit management services, said: “Since setting up the department only four years ago, we have gone from strength to strength and are now regionally and nationally renowned for providing dynamic legal expertise to both corporate and personal clients.

“We’re very much looking forward to watching Lucy and Josh flourish in their new roles, whilst allowing us to realise our ever-growing potential within the industry.”

Robert Feather, Myddleton Croft

Myddleton Croft, Leeds-based boutique investment firm, has promoted Robert Feather to the position of senior investment manager.

Rob, who joined the firm in early 2013 as a trainee investment manager, recently achieved the CISI Chartered Wealth Manager Qualification, the highest level of professional qualification in his field.

He graduated from Northumbria University with a degree in Economics and Geography, and spent 18 months working as a project manager during his final year at university and for a short time after graduating.

During his four years with Myddleton Croft, Rob has assisted investment director Patrick Toes in managing around 400 client portfolios. Soon after joining the firm, he achieved the regulatory benchmark Level 4 CFA Investment Management Certificate and then chose to go on to study for the CISI Level 7 Diploma as a mark of his commitment to the profession.

David Cowell, founder and chairman of Myddleton Croft, said: “As I celebrate 50 years in business, I am proud to see the firm developing young talent and helping to nurture the next generation of wealth investment professionals.

“Rob has impressed us all with his hard work and dedication, handling a demanding job whilst also studying for the profession’s highest qualification.”

Myddleton Croft has grown to a nine-strong team, working with independent financial advisers, solicitors and accountants, throughout the North of England and further afield who use the firm’s investment management expertise to complement their existing financial service propositions.

William Smith, Leeds Building Society

William Smith has been promoted by Leeds Building Society to become manager of its York branch.

He spent three years as assistant manager at the branch, having joined the Society five years ago as a customer service adviser.

Chris Ord, regional manager for the York branch, said: “I’m delighted to appoint William as our new Branch Manager.

“He is a great example of someone who has worked their way up, and embodies the achievement and self-development drive we’re looking for.”

William added: “I have a wealth of experience which I will share with my team so we can constantly improve the customer experience in York.

“I am a people person and enjoy spending time with my team, coaching and supporting them to develop in their role.”

Michael Hall, hlw Keeble Hawson

hlw Keeble Hawson has appointed dealmaker, Michael Hall, as associate to its corporate department.

With a track record in advising major groups on all aspects of corporate transactions, Michael specialises in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, partnerships and LLPs.

The development comes after dealmaker, Matt Ainsworth, who has represented a raft of well-known clients, joined the firm’s 16-strong corporate team as partner.

Paul Trudgill, hlw Keeble Hawson managing partner, said: “Michael’s appointment marks another step in our strategic development as we further expand the top talent of our corporate department in a formative year.”

Michael commented: “It’s tremendous to be part of hlw Keeble Hawson’s high-profile growth strategy and join a team which has amassed a powerful and well-deserved reputation across Yorkshire and the North of England.”