Vice-presidents, promotions and senior hires

Appointments New partner and promotion at Milton Keynes law firm

Shakespeare 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, 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 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.

David Wells

Nicola Holton

Bank boosts its asset finance team

Allica 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.”

Casual dining in the heart of the city

Marco’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.

Savour the flavour of ‘The Big Apple’

Last 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 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

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

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.

Compliance specialist boosts automotive sector offer

Expansion of its specialist automotive team in Milton Keynes is on the agenda after the arrival of Alastair Cassels inset from Volkswagen.

He will add considerable sector knowledge to advise the team nationally on compliance matters, said Steve Freeman, partner and head of the automotive team for the firm.

“The market opportunity is huge with the fundamental changes the automotive and automotive retail sector is facing across digital transformation, Electric Vehicles, OEM Agency arrangements and network rationalisation, technology, new market entrants/ disruptors, autonomous vehicles and connected cars. “I am delighted that Alastair will be joining to support our existing sector to capture this.”

Mr Cassels’ recruitment is part of a series of promotions and new appointments at the firm’s regional office. Nathan Sutcliffe, who joined the firm’s Northampton office as a trainee, is also celebrating after being promoted to tax partner.

Partner: Director hire is a huge feather in

Specialist commercial and technology lawyer Chris White has rejoined law firm Howes Percival as a director in its corporate, commercial and banking practice.

Based at the firm’s Milton Keynes office, he has returned from global law firm Dentons. Mr White has worked for major international and city law firms and has significant experience of working inhouse through secondments with leading retail companies.

“He is hugely respected in his field and a senior hire of his calibre is a huge feather in our cap,” said Paula Dumbill, partner and head of commercial.

Mr White has advised on complex manufacturing and Chris White

distribution matters as well as service provision, supply and licensing arrangements in sectors including retail, warehousing and logistics. He has also worked on major IT and telecoms hardware procurement and software development, licensing and support arrangements and on data protection issues. He has specific expertise in sportsrelated work.

“With so many businesses relying more on technology than ever, we do not see this genie being put back in the bottle and expect the demand for technical solutions, innovation and automation to continue,” said Ms Dumbill. n Staff at Howes Percival are celebrating three promotions at the firm’s Milton Keynes office. Employment law specialist Hannah Pryce becomes partner, Leanne Davies, an expert in property disputes, is now a director and Shital Odedra has been promoted to senior associate in the corporate, commercial and banking team.

Chairman Geraint Davies said: “Investment in people, through both external appointments and nurturing our existing talent, is key to our strategy and growth.”

Hannah Pryce Leanne Davies

Appointments

Chambers appoint new vice-presidents

Two business figures have taken up new roles as vicepresidents of Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce.

Scott Jones, chief executive of Milton Meynes-based digital marketing agency 123 Internet and Reemesh Patel, who is behind businesses including The SK Group and M&M Family Investments, have moved from nonexecutive positions on the board of the two Chambers. They will work alongside president Robyn Allen.

“These Chambers have won a host of awards over recent years because they consistently put the needs of their members at the heart of everything they do,” Mr Jones says. “I know they have exciting developments planned for this year and I cannot wait to be a part of them.”

He has been a member of both Chambers for seven years and a Platinum business partner since 2019. Mr Patel joined the board three years ago after becoming a Chamber member in 2017.

President Robyn Allen says: “Between the three of us we have a wide variety of skills and knowledge and our businesses are spread across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire so we are in a position to represent the membership incredibly well.”

Scott Jones (right) with fellow vice-president Reemesh Patel and president Robyn Allen

Milton Keynes