MOVERS&SHAKERS
New appointments at Clarkson Wright & Jakes Clarkson Wright & Jakes has announced that Grace Clarke in its Estate Administration team and Gavin Powis, in the Commercial Property team will be promoted to partners. The firm also welcomes a new associate, Michelle Pinnington to the Residential Property team in advance of the retirement of Peter Giblin, Senior Partner next year. Managing Partner Andrew Wright said “These are key appointments for us as we continue to develop our team and build for the future.”
Grace, an associate and driving force in the firm’s Estate Administration team since 2006, helps clients with their wills, Inheritance Tax planning, trusts, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection applications and estate administration (probates). Gavin joined the firm in August 2015 as an associate and has significant experience in commercial property, property development and real estate. Prior to CWJ, Gavin set-up and ran a successful law firm based in Kent, latterly as Managing Partner and head of
New role for Ioana Crosskeys Travel have appointed Ioana Bacociu as a Marketing Executive to join the team based in Sandgate Road, Folkestone. Ioana has five years’ experience in social media and digital marketing strategies having previously worked in Higher Education and most recently in professional services, for MHA MacIntyre Hudson. Ioana has a Batchelor’s degree in Marketing and Advertising Management and is currently an Affiliate Professional of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Alan Johnson, Managing Director for Crosskeys, said: “We have been running day trips through Crosskeys Coaches for the past 45 years, so with the recent increase in packaged holiday demand it only seemed natural to open up the travel shop which we opened in May last year in Sandgate Road, Folkestone. “Crosskeys Travel has grown very rapidly since and now that we have received our ABTA licence we are looking to expand on our relationships with the best travel operators on the market so we can
ensure there really is an experience waiting to happen for each and every one of our customers. Ioana’s role will be vital for taking all this online and we are excited for the times ahead.”’
New Partner at Crowe Clark Whitehill Corporate tax specialist Simon Crookston has been promoted to partner at audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe Clark Whitehill. Based in the firm’s Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone offices, Simon is an established advisor, supporting entrepreneurs, family businesses and listed companies throughout the business lifecycle. He joined the firm in October 2012 after 15 years at KPMG.
Simon said: “This is an exciting time for the firm as we continue to grow and find ourselves better placed than ever to serve Kent’s businesses. I’m very pleased to be a part of that growth and am looking forward to the challenges ahead. Corporate tax is ever-changing but we aim to stay ahead of the game and provide our clients with the latest advice and expertise.”
Commercial Client Services, which employed 10 staff of differing levels throughout Gavin’s time with the firm. Michelle Pinnington, an associate, joins the firm from Grant Saw solicitors in Greenwich and deals with all types of residential conveyancing cases including sales and purchases (leasehold and freehold), remortgages, new builds, equity releases, transfer of equity, shared ownership leases, right to buy, auction purchases and sales , easements and lease extensions.
GB Paralympian joins Red Apple Kent leadership and team development business Red Apple Thinking has taken on a new team member to support their growth throughout Kent and the South East. Andy Barlow GM (George Medal) has joined to help deliver their team development programmes. In 2006 Andy was serving with the Army in Afghanistan
when he lost a leg in an old Soviet era minefield. He was there for 4 hours and despite his injuries helped save the lives of a number of his comrades. The incident has been made into the Bafta Award winning film ‘Kajaki’. Andy was determined that his injuries would not stop him getting the most from life and since then has qualified as an Ocean Yachtmaster, crossed the Atlantic, completed the treacherous Fastnet race twice and is now part of the GB Paralympic Ski team training for South Korea 2018. Red Apple Thinking Managing Director David Bradley said “I am very pleased to have Andy join the team. He is an inspirational character and who has been part of high performing teams in both the Army and sport. Using this experience, he will really be able to get teams working better together and improve their effectiveness.”
June - July 2016 ThinkingBUSINESS
49