Appointments
New partner and promotion at Milton Keynes law firm
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h a k e s p e a r e Martineau’s Milton Keynes office hub senior team has two new faces following the appointment of new partner David Wells and promotion of insolvency expert Nicola Holton. David joins the law firm with more than 21 years’ experience in commercial real estate. Having previously worked at Hewitsons and Eversheds Sutherland, David has extensive experience in real estate investment and landlord and tenant matters, particularly in the logistics, investment, education and healthcare sectors. Following her promotion, Nicola - who has more than ten years’ restructuring and insolvency experience having worked with a wide variety of clients ranging from insolvency practitioners and litigation funders to corporates and their directors - will join the membership and take the role of partner within Shakespeare Martineau. David says: “Shakespeare Martineau has exceptional
values, which are centred on authentic relationships with clients and colleagues, and a commitment to growth through strong client service delivery so I am delighted to have joined the team. “I am dedicated to building deep client relationships based on understanding their businesses and sectors. I find the commercial aspects of the real estate industry far more interesting than the law, which helps me to focus on the most relevant and salient aspects of a deal and to obtain results as efficiently and effectively as possible.” Nicola adds: “Being promoted to partner at such a highly regarded and forwardthinking law firm is a proud moment in my career and I am delighted my hard work has been recognised and my dedication has paid off. I am looking forward to further developing our insolvency offering in Milton Keynes and continuing to provide a high-quality service for our clients.” From corporate commercial to residential conveyancing,
Casual dining in the heart of the city
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arco’s New York Italian restaurant offers a casual dining experience at affordable prices, appealing to everybody that shares Marco’s passion for American and Italian food. Marco’s New York Italian features delicious food in a comfortable and modern setting in the heart of town. By acclaimed chef Marco Pierre White, the menu includes mouthwatering sharing platters, seafood, succulent steaks, pizza and pastas. Enjoy the new burgers including “The Colonel” with Monterey Jack, crispy onion rings and colonel mustard mayonnaise, or try Marco’s new 12oz fillet steak with Koffmann fries and roasted vine tomatoes. Round off the meal with tempting treats like Mr White’s tiramisu or New York knickerbocker glory.
Liliana Costa (pictured) is the newly appointed restaurant manager and is passionate about great service. Find Marco’s New York Italian at the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes Central. Book online at Marco’s New York Italian Milton Keynes or call 01908 698550.
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Business MK
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June 2022
Shakespeare Martineau’s Milton Keynes hub provides a wide range of expertise to a range of local clients. David’s appointment and Nicola’s promotion is part of the firm’s commitment to reinforcing its regional expertise and strengthening its Milton Keynes footprint, providing legal and professional services support to the area’s businesses across sectors including healthcare, education, real estate development, investment and social housing, as well as areas such as corporate, commercial, insolvency and private client. The firm has plans to substantially grow its North Fourth Street hub, with the aim of at least doubling its size within the next couple of years, inspired by the firm’s aspiration to become one of the most admired top 30 legal and professional groups by 2025. Allawee Albaghdadi, head of the Milton Keynes hub, said: “We are thrilled to welcome both David and Nicola to the membership here in Milton
Bank boosts its asset finance team
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llica Bank has strengthened its asset finance broker activity in the South East with the appointment of Alex Fowler as business development manager. The bank, which has an office in Central Milton Keynes, has made the move after announcing that it lent more in the first quarter of 2022 than it did in all of 2021. Mr Fowler below will manage all new and current broker partnerships in the region. He has worked in financial services for ten years, including in asset finance and stock brokerage investments. “Allica are the most exciting bank to enter the market in years,” he says. “It is a great opportunity to make a real difference in the industry.”
David Wells
Nicola Holton Keynes. David’s arrival and Nicola’s well-deserved promotion will bolster our capabilities and cement our reputation in Milton Keynes as we continue to grow our multi-disciplinary team
locally.” Shakespeare Martineau is proactively seeking talented people to join the firm on its growth journey, including mergers, team recruitment and lateral hires nationally.
Savour the flavour of ‘The Big Apple’
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ast month, I was invited along to try Marco’s New York Italian, situated inside the Holiday Inn at Saxon Gate in the centre of Milton Keynes’ business district. Acclaimed chef, restaurateur and TV personality Marco-Pierre White has restaurants UK-wide, including two here in Milton Keynes - Marco’s New York Italian and Marco’s Steakhouse Bar and Grill. White’s branches of New York Italians are motivated by his Italian roots and his affection for the city of New York. Inspired by a mix of Italian traditions and eclectic NYC trends from ‘the city that never sleeps’, the food at the New York Italian is true to Marco’s ethos; fresh, authentic and simple. The restaurant is a great spot for a business dinner and ideal for drinks with colleagues, especially considering its proximity to The Hub and Milton Keynes Central Station. The menu boasts a variety of different dishes; from finger food, like the New York buffalo wings and fresh ground beef burgers to the finest quality Campbell Brothers’ steaks and light bites such as salads and seafood. We enter via the foyer of the Holiday Inn at Saxon Gate which, after its recent refurbishment, is now particularly modern and spacious, mimicking the atmosphere of Marco’s restaurant. The restaurant itself is open plan with a clean and minimalist feel. We have the option to sit either at a table with a view of
Emma Norris enjoys a taste of ‘the city that never sleeps’ at Marco’s New York Italian in Central Milton Keynes.
Main courses of Bolognese pizza and avocado caesar salad, preceded by cocktails and followed by tiramisu the open bar or in one of the booths; we settle on the table so we were able to see our cocktails being made. The cocktail menu is all new and the staff are kind enough to knock us up a Passion Fruit Martini and an Espresso Martini. The service is certainly timely and attentive. We start with some nibbles: Rosemary Focaccia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (£5.50) and Martini Olives with fresh herbs (£4.50) which we enjoy eating leisurely alongside our cocktails. The Focaccia is light, airy and particularly tasty - in my opinion, you can never go wrong with bread and oils and personally I believe they should start any (and every) meal. Our waitress is quick and
professional without being overbearing, checking intermittently whether we needed our water topping up or if we wanted anything else to eat. Our mains arrive in good time - we had opted for the Avocado Caesar Salad (£13.95) with the addition of a succulent smoked chicken breast (£3.75) which I loved. It is exceptionally flavoursome and rich with garlic, flakes of parmesan, whole anchovies - a divisive fish,
but one I absolutely adore - and lashings of creamy dressing. The avocado worked brilliantly well in combination with all the other flavours too. It is perhaps the most subtle flavour on the dish but certainlyit didn’t feel like it was lacking. We also share the Bolognese Pizza topped with Ragù alla Bolognese, mozzarella, tomato and red chilli; large, filling and, I believe, well priced at £13.95. I personally would have liked it to be a little spicier but I also know that my spice tolerance is above most of the general population. We finish off our evening with ‘Mr White’s’ Tiramisu (£7.50) which, along with the focaccia, is my favourite part of the meal. The sponge is soaked in Kahlua but not overly soggy and the mascarpone topping is rich, sweet and dusted in bitter cocoa - the perfect mix and, in my opinion, the perfect tiramisu. From beginning to end, we are served with a smile. The location of Marco’s New York Italian makes it a business hotspot during the working week, although I can imagine it being more familyfriendly at weekends. There is a good variety of food, all of which would be appropriate for a working dinner. In fact, during our meal it was evident that many of the tables surrounding us were doing just that. Follow Emma Norris on Instagram @emmaroseeats
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