This week’s North West appointments

Simon Allport, Tosca Debt Capital

Northern debt fund Tosca Debt Capital (TDC) has appointed Simon Allport as an independent member to its advisory committee.

Simon retired as a partner at professional services giant EY in June last year. He has over 30 years of experience in corporate finance, including work as a partner with accounting giant Arthur Andersen.

TDC partner Gary Davison said: “We are delighted that Simon has joined our Advisory Committee. He has exceptional corporate finance experience and his knowledge and connections throughout the North of England will benefit the business in a myriad of ways.

“Simon will guide and support the team in our strategic growth and investment decisions, leveraging his 30+ years’ of transactional experience working with fast growth businesses and regional private equity, banking and legal communities.”

Simon, who is also chairman of government-backed not-for-profit lender Business Finance Solutions, commented: “TDC has grown rapidly into a leading player in the northern corporate finance scene. Its team is ambitious and really understands the needs of growing business, especially the financial barriers that can often hold them back.

“I look forward to working closely with them and playing a part in the business’ next phase of growth.”

Four appointments, Colliers International

Colliers International has taken on four new recruits within its project and building consultancy team for the North.

The appointments were made across the firm’s Manchester and Leeds offices.

In Manchester, Jonathan Stirzaker-Philips joined the company as a senior surveyor and Cameron Reekie as a graduate surveyor.

Gavin Foxton, another new face in the Northern team, will split his time between the two bases as associate director. He was previously part of the London Project Management team at real estate services firm Bollingbrook, which is now owned by Colliers.

Elsewhere, the company took on Richard Chandler as a graduate surveyors at its Leeds office.

Director Nick Twigg, the head of Colliers’ project and building consultancy team in the North, commented: “We’ve been instructed to consult on some large-scale projects across the North in the last 12 months, including large scale commercial office, PRS residential and industrial schemes.

“In addition to these new projects, we continue to provide ongoing building consultancy advice to a range of high profile national and international names.”

He continued: “As such, we’ve worked hard to build a team with the skill and knowledge to effectively service our key clients across the North of England. Our Northern team works very closely together with some team members, including myself, splitting their time equally across the Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool offices.”

Four appointments, WHN Solicitors

Woodcocks, Haworth and Nuttall (WHN) Solicitors has announced four appointments.

The firm hired Fiona Williams (pictured) and Laura-Beth Thompson as trainee solicitors, along with Sarah Collier and Sophie Raby as paralegals.

Fiona Williams will work within WHN’s commercial property department. She was previously a paralegal in the commercial property department of a Manchester law firm.

Trainee solicitor Laura-Beth Thompson, meanwhile, will be part of the firm’s Bury-based commercial property team. Outside the property sphere, she has experience in clinical negligence and insurance law.

Paralegals Sarah Collier and Sophie Raby have joined WHN’s personal injury and family law teams respectively.

Sarah, who was hired as an office junior in 2007, said of her appointment: “WHN has been very supportive for my development, particularly now as I have moved from an administration role.

“They are keen to develop people who they feel have potential and there is support there whenever I need it.”

Angela Pownall, Hodder + Partners

Manchester architectural practice Hodder + Partners has appointed Angela Pownall as an associate.

Angela has worked with the firm since 2014, focusing on the delivery of 3 St Paul’s Place, a 10-storey commercial office building in Sheffield city centre. She is currently leading on a student accommodation scheme in Oxford.

Company chairman Stephen Hodder MBE said: “We are pleased to announce Angela’s appointment as associate of Hodder + Partners.

“Angela is a tremendously talented architect who continues to drive forward many of the important projects we continue to work on.”

He added: “It’s just reward that she now has the title of associate as the practice moves into 2018, a year which will see us start to deliver some very significant projects.”

Angela commented: “I’m delighted to now be associate of Hodder + Partners.

“I want to contribute and sustain the significant reputation that the practice has established over the last 25 years. I’m also sure 2018 will be another good year for Hodder + Partners.”

Chris Longbottom and Leah Taylor, Clarke Willmott LLP

Law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has appointed a new family law partner to lead its family sector work in the North West.

Chris Longbottom joined the company’s Manchester office, where he will be advising private clients on various family and matrimonial issues. His work will focus on complex matters and the high net worth market.

Clarke Willmott has also appointed Leah Taylor in the role of legal assistant. She previously worked alongside Chris at his previous post with Shoosmiths, where he led the family law team for more than three years.

Clarke Willmott partner Rayner Grice, who manages the national family law team, said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris and Leah to the team.

“Chris has a wealth of experience and is widely recognised for his pragmatic and sensible approach to resolving issues arising from relationship breakdown.”

Rayner added: “This complements the ethos of the Clarke Willmott Family team who appreciate that each matter requires us to be sensitive to each family’s individual needs.”

The head of Clarke Willmott’s Manchester office, Roy Crozier, commented: “Chris has a strong reputation and network within Manchester and the wider North West and is committed to developing the Family Law and Private Client offering at Clarke Willmott, Manchester, adding also to the firm’s national offering.”

Chris Longbottom said: “I plan on developing that offering into the Manchester office and assisting the growth of a wider Private Client team in the region. I look forward to this exciting opportunity and thank all those involved.”

Christopher Hayes, MSB Solicitors

MSB Solicitors has appointed employment lawyer Christopher Hayes.

Joining the company from Liverpool firm Morecrofts, Christopher has experience in both employment and HR law. During his career, he has represented both employees and employers.

In particular, he enjoys working on settlement agreements for those leaving a business.

Mark Forman, partner in MSB’s commercial team, said: “Chris’ appointment is a significant one for the firm, as it will enable us to work more closely with our existing clients across a broader scope of services, but also gives us a competitive edge in attracting new commercial clients in the city.

“Chris’ experience will also be of huge benefit to a programme of seminars and campaigns we have planned in the new year. Chris has an excellent reputation and I’ve every confidence will be a valuable addition to the team.”