This week's Yorkshire appointments

Ramsdens Solicitors has announced three new partners in its latest annual promotions round.

The firm has also promoted nine staff to associate and senior associate roles.

These promotions will bolster the firm’s family, private client, corporate and commercial and commercial property teams.

Paul Joyce, managing partner stated: “I am delighted to congratulate all of those who have been promoted this year. Everyone has made a strong contribution to the firm, developing and growing our client relationships through their efforts across their individual departments.

“This year’s promotions across the firm, coupled with our move into York, is the catalyst for a new growth phase for Ramsdens, which continues to invest in the development and training of all its staff.”

The new partners are Kirsty Jackson – commercial property, Natalie Lang – court of protection and Sarah Ward – family.

Other promotions include senior associates - Jodie Wielgus, Adam Cockroft, Lynn Snowdon and Rachel Straughan. Associates - Katie Whitehead, Katie Sharp, Emma Spragg, Lindsay Preston and Jolene Briggs.

Sarah Ward, the newest partner in the firm’s family team, commented: “I am delighted to have become a partner at Ramsdens. These are exciting times to be part of a progressive firm which continues to grow whilst still supporting and developing its employees.

“I am looking forward to the challenges that my role will bring as well as continuing to promote Ramsdens as a leading law firm.”

Jodie Wielgus, senior associate private client, added: “Having joined Ramsdens 13 years ago, having just completed my law degree, I am absolutely delighted to have been promoted to Senior Associate.

“Ramsdens have supported and encouraged me throughout my employment and my promotion is attributable to not only hard work but the philosophy of the firm and its partners by trusting their staff and rewarding and promoting within. I am incredibly proud to be part of an award winning firm and look forward to being part of its future growth”

Ramsdens Solicitors have over 270 staff working across 14 offices in Yorkshire.

Bella O’Keeffe and Emma Fawke, Rollits

Law firm Rollits has appointed two new solicitors to add strength to its existing team of private client law experts.

Emma Fawke and Bella O’Keeffe have joined the firm as solicitors in the private capital department.

Emma, who has worked in the legal sector for over 12 years, qualified as a Solicitor in 2011, and has worked in general practice since then.

She now specialises in wills, estate planning and administration matters, as well as lasting powers of attorney. She is based in the firm’s Hull office.

A history graduate from The University of Hull, Bella joined Rollits from a local York law firm and advises clients in relation to the preparation of wills, creation of trusts, estate planning, taxation, administration of estates, powers of attorney, court of protection applications and care home fee planning. She will be located in the York office.

John Lane, head of Rollits’ private capital team, commented: “We are delighted to have Emma and Bella as a new additions to the team. We are keen to invest in the young talent and I look forward to helping them develop and learn as his career progresses with the firm.”

Julia Green (far right), Dacre, Son & Hartley

An estate agent with more than 14 years of UK and international industry experience has been appointed to head up Dacre, Son & Hartley’s Skipton office.

Julia Green joins the firm as office manager, where she will lead a team of eight who deal with sales and lettings from its office on Sheep Street.

Julia has worked for a number of leading independent estate agents in Richmond upon Thames, Chiswick and Chelsea, as well a working for Allsopp & Allsopp in Dubai as a sales and leasing real estate agent.

Julia said: “Having grown up locally I have always been very familiar with the Dacres brand, which is well-known and highly respected. When I decided to move back home, it was the obvious first choice.”

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley, commented: “Julia has an impressive CV and a vast amount of industry experience, she is firmly focussed on customer service and also has a background in marketing, so she will be a real asset to the business.”

Julia added: “It’s a great opportunity for me to achieve recognition and a growing reputation in the local property market. I am delighted to be back in Yorkshire after more than 20 years living in London. I particularly enjoy the face to face element of estate agency, and getting out and about to see a wide variety of properties and people.

“I am very much looking forward to growing the business, interacting with the local community and getting involved with many of the local sporting and charitable events in the Skipton and Yorkshire Dales area.”

Claire Wilkinson, Womble Bond Dickinson

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has appointed Claire Wilkinson as a partner in the firm’s Leeds office, joining WBD’s national real estate team from Addleshaw Goddard.

Claire has a track record of working with some of the largest names in the UK commercial property sector, focusing on development and investment, in addition to experience in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

Experienced in handling portfolio acquisitions, financing and refinancing, mixed-use development schemes and providing corporate support, her previous work includes advising investors, occupiers and developers from initial development through to letting and ongoing asset management.

Mark Owen, Partner and Head of Leeds office at Womble Bond Dickinson, commented: “Claire has a strong profile in the UK real estate sector and brings a significant amount of complementary experience and expertise to our Developers and Investors team.

“Her appointment further demonstrates our commitment to support our clients with the highest calibre lawyers in the local market and across the real estate sector nationally. We are delighted to welcome Claire to the partnership.”

Claire Wilkinson added: “WBD has developed an impressive reputation in the real estate sector, cultivating a strong client base and advising on a broad range of strategic real estate projects and transactions across the UK.

“I look forward to continuing to build on this reputation with my new colleagues in Leeds and to supporting the growth of our clients across the sector.”

WBD’s real estate team is one of the largest in the country advising developers and investors, housebuilders, private rented sector and social housing providers on broad range of legal issues.

Chloe Rushworth and Helen Boyes, Lenny Agency

The Lenny Agency, based in Brighouse, has made two new appointments to strengthen its full service graphic design and PR team.

Helen Boyes has been appointed as senior creative working on a range of key accounts including the University of Leeds, OXO, Revlon and Toni & Guy.

With 14 years design experience, Helen joins Lenny from the Engine Room in Huddersfield where she built up a portfolio of projects and design specialisms.

Chloe Rushworth has also been recruited to the Lenny team as senior social and PR executive.

A marketing management graduate, Chloe comes to Lenny from PPG Architectural Coatings where she implemented a series of national and local promotional trade campaigns.

Emma Leonard, partner at Lenny, said: “2018 is set to be a year of change for Lenny. We’re strengthening our team to ensure we continue deliver the best service to our clients.

“Both sides of the business are growing strongly and we’ve already seen Helen and Chloe make their impact, delivering some outstanding work.

“With a range of international clients and household brands on our books, we need the best talent to keep creating campaigns that stand out, which is what we have here at Lenny. With an office move planned in September and our recent success at the Tile Association Awards receiving the excellence in marketing award, it’s set to be an exciting summer.”