This week’s North West appointments

Four appointments, Kuits

Manchester-based commercial law firm Kuits has promoted five lawyers.

Meave O’Neill, from the company’s banking team, has been made a senior associate, while Rebecca Ingram (licensing), Claire Heron (residential conveyancing) and Yasmin Kalantari and Humna Nadim (intellectual property) have all been promoted to associate.

Kuits’ managing partner, Steve Eccleston, said: “It is an increasingly tough market out there for law firms, but we are successfully differentiating ourselves from the pack by providing trusted commercial advice on legal issues to SMEs and entrepreneurs – these are the businesses that really benefit from our commercial advice, as well as our technical legal expertise, and we’ve been very focused in ‘sticking to our knitting’ in this sense.

“That we are able to offer this level of service and advice is entirely dependent on recruiting and retaining the best people, so we take the development of our talent very seriously, with plenty of training opportunities, and focused development and recognition programmes.”

He continued: “We are delighted to recognise the achievements of these five individuals over the last 12 months, and we are equally delighted that they continue to feel that Kuits is a firm in which they can build challenging yet rewarding careers.”

Nine appointments, SAS Daniels

Cheshire law firm SAS Daniels has promoted nine lawyers.

The company promoted six staff to the role of senior associate and three to associate across its property, employment, corporate and dispute resolution teams.

The following are now senior associates:

• Ray Woodward (dispute resolution)
• Hannah Leese (food law and dispute resolution)
• Stewart Smith (commercial property)
• James Goddard (commercial property)
• Paul Tyrer (corporate)
• Kim Rowden (residential property)

Steven Percy (commercial property), Jo Unwin (residential property) and Katie Hodson (employment) are all now associates.

Jeremy Orrell, managing partner at SAS Daniels, said: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to make these promotions and watch the individuals progress with their legal careers.

“We work hard to ensure that we create an environment where our employees have the opportunity to deliver a unique and high standard of service to our clients and these promotions are testimony to that approach.”

He added: “The new promotions come as part of our continued organic growth strategy, which has seen us extend our specialisms, teams and client portfolios.”

Tony Pope, Your Legal Friend

Birkenhead law firm Your Legal Friend has appointed a new director of operations.

Tony Pope has commercial experience across a number of sectors, most recently working with Antony Hodari Legal Services Group for eight years in the role of chief financial officer.

At Your Legal Friend, Tony will sit on the firm’s strategic and senior leadership teams, overseeing 97 employees and taking responsibility for operations, HR, accounts, IT and compliance.

Colin Gibson, CEO of Your Legal Friend, said: “Tony is a key hire for us as he has senior operational, commercial and financial experience gained across a number of sectors, including personal injury.

“He’s consistently demonstrated his ability to develop optimal processes and the right working environment to support growth and client service levels.”

Tony Pope commented: “Your Legal Friend has a fantastic reputation and has made great strides in diversifying into specialist areas of litigation such as clinical negligence and group claims.

“My role will focus on ensuring every aspect of this well respected law firm works effectively for the benefit of clients and employees.”

He added: “It’s a great opportunity to join a growing organisation and to work alongside a successful, highly professional team.”

Andrew Smith and Matt Mason, Pozzoni

Pozzoni Architecture has announced two promotions.

Long-serving employee Andrew Smith, who has worked with Pozzoni for nine years, is now a director.

Matt Mason, meanwhile, has been made a senior associate. Matt joined the firm in 2005.

Pozzoni director Nigel Saunders said: “Between them, Andrew and Matt have over 20 years of experience at Pozzoni.

“Having so much knowledge and sector-focussed talent within the team is invaluable and it’s been fantastic to see them both progress.”

He added: “These latest promotions are not only a reflection of Andrew and Matt’s outstanding work, but also represent a trajectory of growth for the practice.”

Simon Holian, Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance

Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance has announced the appointment of Simon Holian to drive its expansion in the North West.

Simon previously held a sales support and structuring role with Bibby Financial Services.

Working out of the Hitachi Capital office in Liverpool’s financial district, he will now work to grow Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance’s regional footprint and increase the company’s support for SMEs.

Simon commented: “This is a fabulous opportunity for me to reintegrate the Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance and myself into Liverpool business.

“The role provides me with a fantastic opportunity to provide cashflow solutions to businesses across the North West region, delivering innovative product solutions and exemplary customer service, in turn helping SME’s to grow and prosper.”

He added: “I am keen to provide businesses with alternative finance solutions and offer as much advice and support for them to grow their business.”

Image L-R: Paul Davies, Gareth Fry and Patrick Hurst

Paul Davies, Statiflo

Engineering business Statiflo has chosen a new group financial controller.

Paul Davies joined the Macclesfield-based firm from insurance broker Ageas Retail.

Having trained and qualified as a chartered accountant with professional services giant KPMG, Paul has previously held senior roles at a number of companies, including Churchill China (UK) and JCB.

Paul’s remit as financial controller of Statiflo Group includes working with the company’s subsidiaries in the US and Germany.

He has taken over from former financial controller Patrick Hurst, who is retiring.

Statiflo MD Gareth Fry, who acquired a majority stake in the business from founder John Baron in 2016, said: “Patrick has been a great asset to the business, in particular the support he gave to John and I during the buyout process.

“He has been a rock of stability throughout his time with us and has remained in post to ensure a smooth handover to Paul. We are hugely grateful to him and wish him all the very best in his retirement.”

He continued: “Paul is an experienced senior finance professional with a Big Four background followed by a career in multi-site international businesses.

“He has tremendous financial knowledge and understanding, along with great commercial acumen, and he is a fantastic fit for Statiflo.”

Image L-R: Adam Cahill, Nick Burrell, Jimmy Cave and Greg Hughes

Adam Cahill, Greg Hughes and Nick Burrell, Urban Green

Urban Green, the Manchester-based design and environmental consultancy, has added to its digital team.

Senior 3D visualiser Adam Cahill was hired from online retailer AO.com, while graduate 3D visualiser Greg Hughes joined from the University of Salford.

Software developer Nick Burrell joined following his graduation from the University of Manchester.

Urban Green MD Scott Fitzgerald said: “We continue to focus on building a core of repeat work with trusted clients and through their support we have continued to evolve our reputation as a practice that thinks differently and adds value.

“To attract such high-calibre additions is fantastic. We feel the mix of skills and experience they bring, along with the right attitude and approach, will enable us to achieve our ambitions for sustainable growth.”

Simon Wallwork, Slater Heelis

Law firm Slater Heelis has chosen corporate lawyer Simon Wallwork to lead its corporate team.

Simon, who has close to 30 years’ experience in corporate law, joined the company in 2014.

Since then, the corporate team has grown from two partners and one assistant based in Sale, to three partners and four assistants working across offices in Sale and Manchester city centre.

Simon said: “I believe there is a gap in the market for an energetic, high quality corporate law team that puts clients’ interests at the forefront of the work they do.

“We pride ourselves on our personal service. When clients engage a senior member of our team, the relationship remains with them throughout, ensuring we always deliver the renowned levels of service that have become synonymous with Slater Heelis.”

He continued: “Our successes over the past year give us a strong platform to build on and my vision is to continue to develop our offering to cement our place in the market as a proactive team for entrepreneurial clients.”