Andrew Jackson Solicitors has appointed Elizabeth Rowley as an associate in its regulatory team.
An experienced criminal advocate and practitioner, her expertise will strengthen the firm’s existing regulatory practice across the region and beyond.
She has worked for a number of high profile crime and legal aid practices for several years and has also acted as an accredited police station adviser and qualified Magistrates’ court duty solicitor.
She has extensive experience of dealing with corporate and white collar crime spanning health and safety cases, environmental pollution, as well as shipping and commercial fisheries breaches.
Rowley is able to protect commercial clients’ interests when interviewed by the police and regulators and is able to draw on her advocacy experience, should matters proceed to court.
Andrew Oliver, partner, and head of the regulatory team, said: – “Elizabeth’s vast experience both as a criminal advocate and practitioner will strengthen the regulatory services we provide to businesses and individuals.
“We remain exceptionally busy with fisheries and marine prosecutions, as well as numerous cases involving the care sector and health and safety matters.
“With Elizabeth’s experience, specialist expertise and proactive approach, we can continue to provide the highest standards of service for our clients.”
:::
Chris Mason
Appleyard Lees has confirmed that patent attorneys Chris Mason and Parminder Lally joined its partnership as of 1 April 2023.
They are the latest additions to a partnership that has grown from 15 to 20 partners in the last five years. The firm’s roster of attorneys and trainee attorneys also grew by 60% during this time.
Mason is experienced in developing and managing global patent portfolios, with specialisms in the chemical and life science sectors.
Lally specialises in drafting and prosecuting patent applications for computer-implemented inventions, including those involving developments in artificial intelligence.
Mason began his career at Appleyard Lees as a trainee in the Leeds office in September 2011 and has since risen through the ranks.
Lally also joined the patent profession in September 2011 and has worked in private practice and in-house. She joined the Cambridge office of Appleyard Lees in February 2019.
Mason said: “While it has taken a lot of hard work to reach this point, the firm’s ethos of always putting the client first, combined with the underlying positive culture, has kept me motivated and supported me through my development from trainee to senior attorney.
“I am also very grateful to my colleagues who have helped me throughout the years.
“I am thrilled to be joining the partnership. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of our clients and our growing firm.”
Lally said: “Although I have worked in other organisations, I truly feel part of the business and supported and encouraged at Appleyard Lees.
Parminder Lally
“From the moment I joined the firm four years ago, I felt that my contributions were valued, and I realised quite quickly that I wanted to stay at the firm long term.
“When I joined the patent profession, I didn’t think I would ever become a partner because I didn’t think someone like me could. So, I’m doubly excited to be joining the partnership.”
David Clark, managing partner, added: “The commitment of Chris and Parminder to their work for Appleyard Lees is not only first-class, but inspiring.
“Although they have taken different paths to get where they are today, they have both made valuable contributions to our firm through their excellent client service and high-quality work.
“I am sure they will both be great assets to the partnership, in the immediate term and in years to come.”
:::
From left, Jack Laister and Megan Ducey
Sheffield-based Gravitate Accounting, which specialises in Xero cloud software, digital accounting and outsourced FD services, has made several new hires and welcomed 27 new clients since January.
The strong start to 2023 has resulted in a 14.5% rise in recurring revenues for January-March when compared to the same period last year.
Digital accountant Megan Ducey and trainee digital accountant Jack Laister have joined the team, along with Morgan Bland, who has been hired as Gravitate Accounting’s first apprentice.
The firm was established by Sam Newton and Mike Crocker in 2019 with a vision to revolutionise and personalise accountancy services via a digital-first approach, supporting businesses of all sizes to achieve sustainable growth.
Since then, the business has expanded its accountancy team and welcomed Joanathan Carr to the board.
The team works with a range of organisations, from start-ups to businesses with revenues up to £45m, and the firm’s outsourced FD services continue to be in particular demand.
Newton said: “It’s definitely been a busy start to 2023 and we’re really pleased to have welcomed new clients and new team members.
“We recognise that it’s a tough time economically for so many businesses and continue to work closely with all clients to prepare them for all eventualities.
“There have been a lot of regulatory changes in recent months and we’re here to guide and support businesses of all sizes throughout so that they can base decisions on solid advice.”
:::
Yorkshire-based specialist social care recruitment company, AJ Recruitment, has made four new board appointments.
Darren Bellwood, Paige Hawley, Adele Theobald, and Joelle Gomersall, who is a former AJ Recruitment apprentice, will sit alongside CEO Jo Guy and director Andrew Brindley, providing strategic business support and advice in their specialist areas of finance, resourcing, people and marketing.
Established in 2004, AJ Recruitment is a specialist family-run recruitment business with offices in Leeds and Tadcaster.
Bellwood joins the board as finance director. He brings 38 years’ experience of working in financial roles at all levels within SME businesses through to large PLCs across a broad range of industries.
A keen mentor, his wealth of skills, knowledge and experience will be invaluable in adding value and driving strategic goals at AJ Recruitment.
Candidate recruitment specialist, Hawley, started her career in social care recruitment in 2011.
She joined AJ Recruitment in 2021 and now heads the candidate recruitment and account development teams.
Her role on the board will ensure her expertise in candidate recruitment is best utilised to inform the strategic direction of the business.
Chartered CIPD practitioner, Theobald, brings 25 years’ experience working in HR, having gained senior-level and consulting experience in social care and educational settings.
She said: “I admire how far the business has come in the 20 years I have known AJ Recruitment.
“I am looking forward to supporting future growth and helping the business to solve the social care recruitment crisis through innovation, ensuring candidates remain engaged, supported, developed and rewarded appropriately.”
Gomersall began her career fresh from high school in 2016, when she joined AJ Recruitment as an apprentice.
She has been working in a marketing capacity for seven years and is now AJ Recruitment’s marketing and innovation lead.
She said: “I feel very proud to have been appointed as an advisor to the board. We have lots of exciting progressive work in the pipeline that will help elevate the business and shake up the social care recruitment industry for the better.”
CEO Jo Guy added: “Darren, Paige, Adele and Joelle all share our passion for driving up standards in social care recruitment and we know our business is in safe hands with them on board.
“It is a significant milestone for us and an important step forward as we continue our journey of change and growth.”
