This week’s Yorkshire appointments

This week’s round up of Yorkshire appointments includes GV&Co, Blacks Solicitors and Schofield Sweeney. Read on to find out more.

(L - R): Tom Preene and Niall Mackinnon, GV&Co

Just 12 months after Leeds property consultancy GV&Co launched its specialist lease advisory and asset management division, the company has appointed Tom Preene as an associate director, on the back of impressive growth and a raft of new business wins.

Tom has spent the last six years at Cushman & Wakefield and specialises in rent reviews, lease renewals, expert witness reports, lease restructures, brokerage and estates strategies. He acts on behalf of both landlords and tenants, predominantly in the industrial and office sectors, as well as advising on retail space.

Tom’s appointment follows Niall Mackinnon joining GV&Co 12 months ago to spearhead the company’s new lease advisory and asset management division. Tom said: “Joining GV&Co is an opportunity to work in a specialist firm, alongside a well- established and highly reputable team.

“The company’s lease advisory and asset management division has quickly made a big impact in the market and immediately forged a reputation for producing impressive and tangible results for its clients, which makes this an exciting career move.”

Niall added: “Since launching this division, its growth has exceeded our expectations and Tom’s appointment strengthens our offering and will help to elevate us to the next level, making us one of the leading teams in the region.

“This reputation means we’re now winning work outside our Yorkshire heartlands, in the North West, North East and beyond.”

Beth Brindley, Blacks Solicitors

Blacks Solicitors is celebrating the qualification of its first apprentice to successfully complete the six-year long apprenticeship scheme.

Beth Brindley (pictured right) joined the firm as a solicitor apprentice in September 2016 and has spent the last six years securing experience in a legal environment across a variety of teams through Blacks’ Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme. Beth will qualify as a Solicitor on 10th September 2022 in the Commercial law team.

Commenting on her apprenticeship experience and qualification, Beth said: “Although it’s been a challenging six years, it’s been extremely rewarding and I’m so proud of everything that I’ve achieved.

“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to qualify as a solicitor without having to go through more traditional routes and the experience that I’ve had with Blacks has been fantastic. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with the team as a qualified Solicitor.”

Following her qualification, Beth will join the Commercial Law team and specialise in commercial contracts including T&Cs, supply contracts, distribution contracts, and licence agreements. Beth will also bring expertise on intellectual property and trade mark registrations to the firm and its clients.

Tom Moyes, training partner at Blacks Solicitors (pictured left), added: “Beth has achieved so much in her six years with us and her qualification is very well deserved. It’ll be exciting to see her continue to progress and develop her knowledge of Commercial law.”

Lois Smith, Schofield Sweeney

Legal apprentice, Lois Smith, has qualified as a solicitor, becoming one of Yorkshire’s first legal apprentices to become a fully qualified solicitor via the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) assessments route.

Lois joined Schofield Sweeney back in September 2015, initially undertaking a business administration apprenticeship. She then went on to study an LLB (Hons) Legal Practice course with BPP. This is a part-time degree programme primarily designed for learners who are on a Solicitor Apprenticeship scheme and takes 6 years to complete.

Lois commented: “I am extremely happy to be continuing my career as a qualified solicitor in the commercial property team in Leeds, after seven years with Schofield Sweeney. The solicitor apprenticeship route is a great opportunity to qualify as a solicitor with no student debt.

“I have gained 7 years’ experience alongside becoming a valued member of the team and the support I have had from the firm, the partners and other members of my team has been crucial to getting me to where I am today.”

Whilst at Schofield Sweeney she trained in the commercial property, litigation and corporate teams across our three offices, gaining experience across a range of legal departments.

Rob Hayes, partner in the commercial property team added: “All of us are delighted that Lois has achieved her goal of qualification after undertaking the apprenticeship route. Working closely with Lois as she has progressed, I can vouch for the enthusiasm and dedication that she has brought to our team and the firm.”

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