APPOINTMENTS

Graduates join the team at Nottingham accountants

Two university graduates have joined UHY Hacker Young’s Nottingham office as they take their first steps towards a career in accountancy.

Abigail Riley and Luke Broughal have both entered the sector as student chartered accountants, and will be working across UHY’s accounts and audit departments to support increased demand for the firm’s services across the region.

Abigail previously studied chemistry at Durham University before moving to New Zealand for 18 months to travel. She has now relocated back to the UK to join the firm, based in Park Row.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in with the Nottingham team. As soon as I saw the position being advertised, I knew it was something I had to go for and was absolutely delighted when I was able to secure an interview – even if it did mean taking the call in a New Zealand restaurant at midnight due to the time difference.

“Due to the number of graduates UHY selectively recruits per intake, I knew my experience here would be personable and that I would receive the support required to truly develop my skills.”

Luke, who attended the University of Reading to study economics, added: “After completing my degree, accountancy was the natural next step for me, so I am incredibly grateful that UHY has given me the opportunity to explore the industry further.

“The firm was an obvious choice for me because – by servicing a selection of clients that vary in size and sector– it will provide me with a broad range of experience and allow me to master my skillset once I have decided on my chosen area of expertise.”

Both graduates joined the firm during the UK’s third national lockdown, and have had to adapt to meeting the team virtually and undertaking inductions online.

James Simmonds, partner at UHY Nottingham, added: “We’re incredibly happy to be welcoming both Abigail and Luke to the team. We’re delighted they have chosen UHY to start their careers and are certain they will help us to continue to deliver a high-quality service to our clients across the Midlands.”

Abigail Riley

All change at leading law firm

Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has welcomed two new property specialists to its Midlands teams, with legal planning director Julie Russell joining its Leicester hub.

Julie brings more than 14 years’ experience, working on all aspects of legal planning, development and infrastructure work.

Legal planning partner Anna Cartledge will also join the firm’s Birmingham hub.

Alex Smith, managing director of the infrastructure and specialist markets business unit, said: “From small listed buildings to large development projects, planning is a complex area law and it requires specialist knowledge – both Julie and Anna have great expertise and are well-placed to advise clients across the Midlands and nationally.”

Anna and Julie’s appointment follow an announcement of 13 internal promotions in the firm and two of its group companies, Lime Solicitors and Marrons Planning – six of which are in the East Midlands.

Contentious trust and probate expert Debra Burton, who works as part of the inheritance disputes team at Lime Solicitors, has been promoted to partner at the firm’s Leicester office, and in Nottingham, David Pendle and Jenny Keen – who work as part of Marrons Planning – have been promoted to planning director.

Elsewhere in Nottingham, family law expert Nikki Aston has been promoted to legal director for Shakespeare Martineau and Aller Dawlat has been promoted to an associate.

Duncan James, East Midlands regional head at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “This year has seen huge developments for us in the East Midlands. Not only have we seen a raft of promotions, but we also welcomed several new lateral hires and expanded into Lincoln for the first time.

“We want to maintain this momentum into the next financial year and are open to hearing from talented individuals who share our ambitions.”

Nikki Aston

Jenny Keen

David Pendle

Debra Burton

Anna Cartledge

Julie Russell

CW Sellors appoints trade sales manager

CW Sellors Fine Jewellery has appointed Phillip Connors (pictured) as its new UK trade sales manager.

Phillip joins the company to help develop and re-engage its portfolio of regional and national jewellery accounts, while broadening its offering to heritage and tourist sites across the UK.

Phillip said: “I am excited to start a new challenge with CW Sellors and look forward to working with the team to further develop their already extensive product range and service.

“Having seen the passion for British gemstones, design and manufacturing running throughout the business, I feel fortunate to be joining a company that prides itself on providing finely handcrafted British products and quality of service within both the jewellery industry and gift sectors.”

Director Rebecca Sellors added: “Having been fortunate enough to find someone of Phillip’s calibre, we feel we are not just fulfilling what is a wide-ranging sales role but adding to how things are achieved within our manufacturing services.”

A new role for Rena at Freeths

Rene Magdani

Commercial law firm Freeths LLP has announced the appointment of Rena Magdani as its new national head of employment, pensions and immigration – alongside the promotion of predecessor Julian Middleton to deputy chairman of the firm.

The national team of more than 40 legal professionals provides a specialist employment law and HR advisory service to business clients on strategic employment advice and matters including discrimination, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal and restructures.

Rena, who has more than 22 years’ experience in employment law, said: “It’s a privilege to lead our team of talented, commercially-minded lawyers, who put excellent client service at the centre of everything they do. I’m looking forward to the continued growth and success of the team by recruiting and developing the best lawyers across our 12 offices.” The immigration practice also works with some of the largest global brands, providing corporate support to recruit overseas nationals, offering an end to end service, supporting our clients at every stage of the licensing, recruitment and visa process. The expert immigration practice works with some of the largest global brands, providing end-to-end corporate support to recruit overseas nationals, while its pensions department advise employers and pension trustees on all aspects of transactions. Julian added: “I am delighted that someone of Rena’s calibre is picking up the reins. I am sure she will oversee the continued growth and significant success of our group of talented and dynamic lawyers.”

Chair position for Professor McMillian

Midlands Innovation has named Professor Trevor McMillian as its new chair.

The partnership is made up of the region’s top eight universities to collaborate on research, development and innovation.

Prof McMillan, who is vicechancellor of Keele University, has been at the forefront of bringing academia and business closer together in his national role as knowledge exchange champion for Research England.

Prof McMillan said: “This year, ERA is putting a compelling case forward, backed by businesses, LEPs, MPs and local authorities in the region, that, with further investment, it can not only help to deliver levelling-up in the Midlands by creating nearly 7,000 jobs and delivering £1.5bn GVA to the regional and national economy.”

Freight forwarder extends welcome to new recruits

Tesfa Lennox

Muskaan Jiwani

NKR Freight has appointed Tesfa Lennox and Muskaan Jiwani to business development manager and customer support executive respectively.

The Leicester-based freight forwarder provides import and export support for air, sea and road logistics.

Tes’ career has seen him broaden his problem-solving skill set, forming relations with all types of clients, from individual sole traders to larger corporations such as Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin.

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining NKR Freight at this exciting point in its growth.

“I wanted to continuously challenge myself in terms of business account management. The most important thing of all is the support shown by the directors for my ideas.”

Muskaan’s background in logistics derives from in-house experience developed within the electrical and mining industries.

She said: “I am very excited to have been given this opportunity. I have a passion to excel in the logistics sector, and I look forward to developing new skills and serving the existing clients at NKR Freight.”