This week's North East appointments

This week’s round up of North East appointments includes Muckle LLP, Mincoffs Solicitors, Womble Bond Dickinson, MHA Tait Walker, and Freers Askew Bunting Solicitors. Read on to find out more.

Muckle LLP, Charlotte Patterson-Ryan

North East law firm Muckle LLP has expanded its Agriculture, Estates and Private Client Department with the appointment of Charlotte Patterson-Ryan.

With over 13 years’ experience in the sector, Charlotte joins the firm as a senior associate, enhancing the significant expertise already offered by the growing team, led by nationally renowned lawyer, David Towns.

Charlotte said: “I am thrilled to join such a dynamic team filled with energy and determination to succeed and I look forward to helping Muckle level the playing field within the regional and national Agriculture, Estates and Rural Property sector.

“For clients, it’s an opportunity to seek solid and practical advice in an ever-shifting landscape from an agile, forward-thinking team who aren’t frightened to speak from outside the echo chamber.

“Joining Muckle is a chance to do the job I love within a business whose core values of nurturing colleagues demonstrably shows that sustainable business can be achieved in an environment where people value and respect each other.

Charlotte concluded: “This move is all about the future and the opportunities that it creates, not only for myself but for the clients and agents I work alongside.”

The firm’s 10-strong Agriculture, Estates and Private Client Department consists of a range of specialist lawyers, including partner Keith Hately, senior associates Julie Garbutt and Elizabeth Earle and solicitors Kathryn Boyd and Oliva Colbeck.

The team has seen a number of successes in its first three years, including being ranked by independent legal directories Legal 500 and Chambers in 2020 and 2021.

Mincoffs Solicitors, Matthew Flinders

Newcastle based law firm Mincoffs Solicitors has appointed Matthew Flinders as commercial director to support the firm’s growth aspirations.

Matthew joins from RMT Accountants, where he was head of marketing and business development, and brings with him an impressive range of experience having worked closely for many years with prominent businesses, banks, and many other intermediaries.

His role will be to oversee the marketing and business development function at Mincoffs, as well as assisting in the firm’s ambitious growth plans, and he will be pivotal in helping to drive strategic goals and vision for the future.

Commenting on the appointment, Matthew said “The Mincoffs team have a fantastic reputation along with an enviable client list.

“I have worked closely with many of the team over the years and their culture and values are very much aligned to my own. This is a great opportunity to be part of something really exciting and I am looking forward to working with the team going forward”

Senior partner Paul Hughes added: “We are delighted to have Matthew on board. His appointment forms a crucial part of our strategy for growth. He brings with him a wealth of commercial expertise that will help to drive the firm forward.”

Womble Bond Dickinson, Kevin Elliott

Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson has strengthened its national health and safety practice with the appointment of new partner Kevin Elliott.

Kevin joins the firm’s UK-wide regulatory team, headed up by partner Jon Cooper. Prior to joining WBD, Kevin established Eversheds Sutherland’s Newcastle health and safety team as well as leading the national practice. He has a strong track record advising organisations as well as individuals on serious workplace incidents.

Kevin has been involved in most of the high-profile health and safety cases over the past two decades and has represented clients across the energy, construction, manufacturing, transport, food and drink and public sectors.

Kevin has particular expertise in advising on contentious environmental investigations and prosecutions and notably has worked with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to prosecute health and safety and pollution incidents in UK territorial waters.

He is also a lecturer, author and broadcaster on health and safety topics and a regular speaker at major conferences in the UK and across Europe.

Jon Cooper, partner and head of WBD’s regulatory team in the UK, commented: “We’re pleased to welcome Kevin to the partnership and to our well-established health and safety practice.

“Kevin is recognised as one of the leading health and safety specialists in the UK and his expertise fits perfectly with our sector-focused approach. His appointment will support the growth of our team and enhance our offering to clients.”

Kevin added: “WBD has an enviable reputation for its regulatory practice, particularly in the field of health and safety, and continues to act in most of the high profile investigations and prosecutions in the UK.

“I look forward to working with the whole team and leveraging my experience to support our clients across the UK, US and beyond.”

MHA Tait Walker, Claire Hinshaw

Leading accountancy and advisory firm MHA Tait Walker has strengthened its Partner Group by promoting Claire Hinshaw to associate partner.

Claire is a certified chartered accountant with more than 25 years of experience. She started her career and qualified with a national practice based in the North East before moving to PwC Newcastle. She joined MHA Tait Walker in 2016.

Claire is passionate about staff training and wellbeing and in her new role will work closely with the partner’s to continue to embed its importance across the firm.

Claire said: “I am delighted to join the Partner Group. Learning and development is key to everything we do as a firm and I will continue to drive change so we provide the very best service to our clients, attract others and provide a first-class learning environment for our teams to develop their careers.

“Business growth will also be a key area of focus, particularly across our audit clients, where we have continued to expand our client base year on year.”

Andrew Moorby, managing partner said: “It’s great to promote another partner within the firm. Claire is an excellent addition.

“Her experience, in-depth knowledge of the business and commitment to doing an excellent job for clients, exemplifies the qualities we look for in our Partner’s and which we bring to our clients across a wide range of sectors.”

MHA Tait Walker now has a total of 12 partners across its six offices. In total, the firm employs more than 170 people.

Freers Askew Bunting Solicitors, Zoe Tansley

Matrimonial lawyer Zoe Tansley has joined the growing team at Freers Askew Bunting Solicitors as the regional law firm continues to expand its 76-strong team and network of offices.

Zoe, who qualified in 2003, bringings more than 18 years of experience to Freers Askew Bunting. She takes on a role as head of matrimonial, alongside Jan Bennett, to help meet growing demand and continue the firm’s successful expansion.

Zoe covers all aspects of private family law including divorce and children issues but specialises in financial matters following separation including those involving business assets and pensions. She was a partner and head of the family and matrimonial unit at Archers Law, recently acquired by Knights plc, prior to joining Freers Askew Bunting.

Zoe said: “I am delighted to be joining such a long-established firm that has spent more than 70 years helping clients in this region. I’m looking forward to playing a part in future expansion plans and working with clients across Teesside and North Yorkshire.

“I have always been committed to helping clients achieve positive and amicable outcomes in what can be stressful circumstances.”

Jonathan Woodhouse, director at Freers Askew Bunting, said: “We are very pleased to have Zoe on board as she brings her considerable expertise and wide experience to an already strong team at a time when demand for our matrimonial services is growing substantially.”