This week's London appointments

This week’s round up of London appointments includes Topland, Switalskis Solicitors and CPMG Architects. Read on to find out more.

(L - R): Anish Vora and Fraser Draycott, Topland

Privately-owned real estate group Topland has added to its structured finance and development teams with two key hires. Anish Vora has joined the real estate finance team as Structured Finance Manager. Joining Topland from specialist property lender, Pluto Finance, he brings expertise in specialist deal structuring and credit risk analysis.

Anish will work within the real estate finance team to source deal flow and provide flexible financing solutions across the capital stack.

Fraser Draycott has joined Topland’s development team, having previously worked at property investor M&G Real Estate. Fraser brings with him a decade of experience in construction consultancy and development, managing the delivery of numerous new build and refurbishment projects across the UK.

Fraser will spearhead Topland’s £850m existing development pipeline as well as sourcing and delivering future pipelines.

Sol Zakay, chairman of Topland Group, commented: “We have successfully remained active in a marketplace where other investors have been reticent. Our structured finance and development teams have been particularly active; investing in top talent across these key growth areas will allow us to further the business and support our extensive capital drive.”

David Thomas, Clare Gooch and Chantelle Cooper - Switalskis Solicitors

Switalskis Solicitors has opened its first office outside of Yorkshire with the appointment of two talented clinical negligence lawyers and director, David Thomas, who will spearhead the firm’s new London office.

David, who was previously partner at Simpson Millar LLP, will lead a team from Switalskis’ new office near Liverpool Street in central London. Clare Gooch, who was formerly a partner at Stone Rowe Brewer LLP, will work alongside David.

The pair are joined by clinical negligence solicitor Chantelle Cooper, also from Simpson Millar, where she worked with David for four years, progressing from paralegal to solicitor in this complex area of law. Having qualified as a solicitor in 2010, Clare has gained a wide knowledge and experience in many areas of clinical negligence.

David specialises in acting exclusively for claimants, mother and child, in maternity cases and has a proven track record in this high value and challenging area of the law. He has worked in the profession for 30 years and proudly holds dual membership of Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) and the Law Society specialist panels.

He commented: “I am excited to have this amazing opportunity to head Switalskis’ new London office, and to be part of the group led by MD, John Durkan. I feel humbled by the quality and reputations of the lawyers in the clinical negligence department, headed by Suzanne Munroe.”

Antonio Ortiz and Abissha Suthanthirakumaran, CPMG Architects

Architecture practice CPMG Architects has made a trio of appointments that support the practice’s architectural, interior design and talent development offerings. Joining the practice is architect Antonio Ortiz, interior designer Robyn Hutton and Part 2 architectural assistant Abissha Suthanthirakumaran.

Abissha and Antonio will be working out of CPMG’s London office in Farringdon and enhancing the team in the South East. Antonio said: “CPMG has a strong national reputation and it’s a personal achievement for me to join a practice that is providing multiple sectors with excellent services.

“I have a great opportunity here in London to help play a role in solving modern day problems, such as the housing and climate crises, by providing practical solutions alongside beauty in every project.”

The “well-known lengthy process” architects undergo to become qualified professionals requires supportive businesses that offer career progression and CPMG is said to have given Abissha a platform to achieve as she continues her academic journey.

Abissha said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity that CPMG has given me at a pivotal time in my career. After working as a Part 1 architectural assistant for nine months in 2021, I have returned to the practice to continue building vital industry experience before I return to university to begin the next stage of my education.

Director Chris White said: “We’re proud to see our regional teams growing and professionals, both established and aspiring, getting behind our people, purpose, place ethos. Antonio, Abissha and Robyn are welcome additions to the business, and we can’t wait to see what they help us to achieve together.”

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