This week's North East appointments

Liz Rothery, Baldwins

Accountancy and business advisory firm Baldwins has appointed Liz Rothery as associate tax director.

A specialist in inheritance tax and trust planning, Liz will work alongside the senior team in the firm’s Seaton Burn office to develop Baldwins’ offering.

With 14 years of experience in private client tax planning including over a decade at one of the ‘big four’ accountancy firms, Liz has experience in dealing with high net worth individuals and the local market.

Liz commented: “It is fantastic to be working with a great team of talented individuals who have been very welcoming since I joined the firm. I am excited to develop the business and reputation of Baldwins in the region.

“It is an exciting period of growth for the firm and it is great to be a part of the development of a strategy for regional business.”

Baldwins regional managing partner Dawn Walton added: “Liz has such enthusiasm for the potential of Baldwins and with the experience, capabilities and knowledge which she has gained over the past 14 years, she will be a great addition to our tax team and fits in perfectly within our Seaton Burn office.”

Rachel Dalby, Kane Elgey and Grace Gibbon, Mobile Mini

Storage and site accommodation hirer Mobile Mini has welcomed three new staff to its marketing department.

Rachel Dalby has been appointed as the firm’s marketing director, Kane Elgey comes onboard as marketing executive and Grace Gibbon joins as digital marketing apprentice.

Rachel, who has 19 years of experience in marketing, commented: “Having extensive brand and marketing experience within financial, training and professional services, coming to Mobile Mini was the change of pace I was looking for.

“The variety of the role is exciting; working with the operational excellence manager one day, and reviewing SEO keywords the next, means the team and I always have a new task to get stuck into.

The trio will be responsible for the development and delivery of the national firm’s marketing strategy.

Commenting on his appointment, Kane said: “Even from being at school, marketing has been a passion so I’m thrilled to now be working with a national company from right here in the North East.”

“I’m keen to put my stamp on the role, working closely with Rachel to devise and implement the marketing plan, ultimately driving both national and local marketing campaigns.”

Speaking about bringing apprentice Grace onboard, Rachel added: “Grace is a key member of the team and will help to drive our online presence.

“To me it was important to offer this opportunity to someone launching their career, but also for Mobile Mini to benefit from their skills and ideas.”

Oliver Gray, St James’ Square

Commercial law firm St James’ Square has appointed Oliver Gray as an associate to its corporate and commercial department.

A multi-sector practiced lawyer, Oliver has previously worked at an international law firm in London, with time spent working in its Bangkok office, as well as a corporate law firm in the North East.

In his new role, Oliver will be initially focusing on mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts, reorganisations, joint ventures, private equity investments and commercial agreements.

Paul Monaghan, managing partner at St James’ Square, commented: “Oli is an excellent addition to the team at St James’ Square and we’re really looking forward to working with him.

“His legal expertise and experience are excellent and complement our existing services extremely well.”

Oliver added: “I’m really pleased to have joined the team at St James’ Square.

“Everybody has been so welcoming and I’m looking forward to getting started on some exciting projects.”

Richard Flounders and Kirsty Allen, Jacksons

Law firm Jacksons has appointed Richard Flounders as associate solicitor and Kirsty Allen as solicitor.

Richard gained his law degree whilst at Newcastle University before completing his LPC at Northumbria University. He qualified while working in a Newcastle firm ten years ago, and spent two years with a Tees Valley firm prior to joining Jacksons.

Richard has been brought in to the firm to head up its property litigation work. He is experienced in all areas of commercial litigation, including insurance litigation.

Commenting on his appointment, Richard said, “Jacksons has always had a great reputation in the region for the litigation work that it does and that is what attracted me to the firm.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to work with partner and head of the department Toby Joel, who is at the top of his game, and his team of litigators.”

Kirsty, who qualified as a solicitor nine years ago, joins the firm’s Newcastle office to head up its private client department. She will be advising the firm’s existing clients on their wills, trusts and estate planning who are based in Newcastle and the surrounding areas, and will focus on a strategy to increase the firm’s private client portfolio.

Kirsty joined a Newcastle city centre law firm 12 years ago where she completed her training, and has been a qualified solicitor for over nine years. She is a STEP Associate and has a particular interest in vulnerable and elderly client work, including Court of Protection.

Kirsty commented: “I’m really excited to be starting the next chapter of my career with a forward thinking firm like Jacksons. I have watched the firm from a distance, over the years, and have been impressed by the way it has grown.

“I really like their approach to client care which is an important part of the job, particularly when helping people through what can be tough times”.

Jacksons senior partner Geoff Skeoch added: “We’re delighted with the appointment of both Richard and Kirsty.

“Richard brings with him an impressive skill set and understanding of litigation, in particular within the property sector. Kirsty’s work ethos complements Jacksons’ in particular, her approach to client care, something we are very passionate about at Jacksons.”