This week's Yorkshire appointments

Jon Healey, Raworths

Raworths has grown its corporate team with the recruitment of Jon Healey who joins the firm as a legal director.

The senior appointment follows a consistent period of growth for the unit.

Jon joins Raworths from McCormicks Solicitors and prior to that Walker Morris. Jon is experienced at handling a variety of matters including private equity transactions, re-organisations and high level M&A.

Simon Morris, head of corporate at Raworths, said: “Jon has an impressive track record and is well respected regionally. His skills and experience will be invaluable given the increasing volume and complexity of work we are undertaking for our clients. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Deborah Kaye, Ridley and Hall

Huddersfield-based law firm Ridley and Hall is growing its specialist private client team with the appointment of Deborah Kaye as an associate solicitor.

With 20 years of experience dealing with private client matters, Deborah has spent the majority of her career working at Ramsdens Solicitors and is well known in the Holme Valley having spent 14 years working from the firm’s Holmfirth branch office.

She joins from LCF Law in Bradford where she spent the last four years.

Emma Pearmaine, managing director at Ridley and Hall, commented: “With her solid track record in private client law, Deborah will further strengthen the Huddersfield team, enabling us to continue to provide high level technical expertise together with the high standards of client care for which we are renowned.”

Guy Smithurst, James Heal

Textile specialist Guy Smithurst has been appointed by leading Halifax engineering firm James Heal as business unit manager in the firm’s test materials division.

Guy, 46, brings 30 years’ experience to his new role at James Heal, the market leader in the design and manufacture of precision testing equipment and support services in the global textile industry.

In his role at James Heal, Mr Smithurst will lead a dedicated team of 11 in the test materials division. He will have responsibility for internal manufacturing, external weavers, quality assurance and control, sales and team development.

He said: “I’m very excited to be joining James Heal, which has a first rate reputation as an engineering firm and as a leader in global innovation.

“Leading the talented team in delivering a wide range of specialist services that are needed for the important materials testing division of the business is a key part of the central business offering that James Heal provides to customers all over the world.

“That’s what attracted me to the role which is so varied it really is like running a business within a business.

“I’m relishing the challenge of adding to and enhancing the department for the entire team, thereby adding to the contribution we make as to James Heal as an integral business section and continue to exceed customer expectations.”

James Wilgose, CRT Property Investments Ltd

CRT Property Investments Ltd has expanded its property management team with James Wilgose as asset manager.

In this new role, James will support investment and development director, Shaun O’Brien to manage the mixed commercial, residential and renewable portfolio.

This includes a wide variety of responsibilities including; rent reviews, lease renewals, landlord and tenant issues, property management, data management and billing.

Commenting on his appointment, James said: “The experience I gained through my placement year was invaluable. As a small team, I had the opportunity to get involved with every part of running and developing a property portfolio, which gave me greater exposure.

“I knew I wanted to continue working at the organisation because we are constantly looking at more innovative ideas and considered risks that will support the properties we purchase, develop, sell and let.

“I look forward to working alongside Shaun and am pleased that I can now be even more hands-on.

“Not only can I get to know the tenants, but I know the income that we generate is redirected towards the programmes delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. There’s nothing more fulfilling than that.”

Diana Lepadat, David Scott and Julie Cam, MD Law LLP

Niche commercial practice MD Law LLP has continued its strategic growth with three appointments to its expanding, Sheffield-based team.

New paralegal Diana Lepadat is joined by trainee solicitor David Scott and experienced administrator and credit controller Julie Cam.

Diana, who qualified in Romania, worked as a solicitor in a German law firm before moving to Sheffield. She is focusing on commercial and insolvency work within MD Law.

David is the practice’s first trainee solicitor. He joined from Sheffield Hallam University, who MD Law have a work placement scheme with. Julie joins the team after 30 years working for Dronfield-based Credit Collections.

Founder and partner, Matthew Dixon, said: “We have maintained a commitment to deliver a responsive, flexible and personal service to clients and that has really paid off.

“I’m really delighted that over the last few months we have moved into larger offices and grown our team by a third. This reflects our increased client base - largely from recommendations and referrers from within South Yorkshire and further afield.”