Law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed nine newly qualified solicitors following a successful training period.
Each of the nine graduates have qualified as solicitors and are remaining with the firm, working within a diverse range of departments. They take the Ward Hadaway workforce total to 476. The company said its 100% retention rate reflects the consistent growth of Ward Hadaway as it continues to create jobs for more people, while highlighting the long-term opportunities available at the firm for emerging talent.
Matt Cormack, a partner and training principal at the firm, said: “Ward Hadaway isn’t just a place to fulfill your training contract; it’s where you lay the foundations for a successful and rewarding legal career. The comprehensive training, ongoing development and continuous support is why many of us choose to continue our journey at Ward Hadaway. This year’s cohort is extremely strong and I’m confident they’ll continue to flourish.”
The new solicitors completed a two-year training contract after graduating from university. The training contract itself involves four placements, each lasting six months, in different departments. Caroline Jones, recruitment and emerging talent manager at Ward Hadaway, added: “We’re incredibly proud of our 100% retention rate for our newly qualified solicitors. It’s great to see talented individuals choosing to continue their journey with us.”
The Doxford Group has appointed Catherine Smith as its new pastry chef for The Tempus, the new boutique hotel and restaurant on the Charlton Hall Estate in Northumberland.
After starting her culinary career at Gateshead College MS Smith took her skills to the Ritz Hotel in London, where, alongside a team of pastry chefs, she assisted in producing 400 afternoon teas a day. She returned to her roots after four years in London and was offered a role at the prestigious Betty’s Cookery School in Harrogate. Having refined her pastry skills and shared her knowledge by teaching baking through cookery classes, she moved to The Alice Hawthorn Hotel in Nun Monkton, near York, before taking up her new role.
She said: “I am excited to bring my delicate and innovative touch to The Tempus, with plans to redesign the dessert menu to offer guests an unforgettable finale to their dining experience. I’m looking forward to introducing the finest afternoon tea in Northumberland at The Tempus and using my skills to offer guests cookery lessons in the coming months”.
Marketing and PR agency Clothier Lacey & Co (CLC) has appointed Emilia Turnbull and Amy McGarahan as PR executives. Ms Turnbull, a final-year student studying media, communication, and cultural studies at Newcastle University, brings a creative background to her new position, with prior experience in journalism, social media management, writing and directing. Ms McGarahan has recently graduated from Newcastle University, with a first-class honours degree in music. She has experience in journalism and PR and is hoping to bring an exciting perspective to CLC.
Philippa Clothier, managing director, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Emilia and Amy. Their enthusiasm for learning already is proving they have a bright future within the CLC team.”
Fifty one trainees and graduates have taken up new roles at Armstrong Watson as the firm continues its commitment to investing in young people. Among the new starters are 17 AAT students and two ATT students who will be working towards their apprenticeship qualifications in accounting and tax compliance. There are also 28 ACA graduates who will work towards becoming chartered accountants. In addition, the firm has recruited two ACCA students in restructuring and insolvency as well as two payroll apprentices.
Based at the firm’s offices across the North and Scotland, the trainees and graduates will receive hands-on experience throughout their studies as they work towards their qualifications.
CEO and managing partner Paul Dickson said: “Our people are our business as without them we would be unable to provide solutions for our clients. Our training programme provides us with an incredible pool of talent, many of which go on to have successful careers within the business.”
Fairstone Group has appointed Peter Donaldson as managing director of its partnership channel. Mr Donaldson, a chartered financial planner and CII Fellow moves from his current role as a Fairstone divisional director. He joined the business in 2021, bringing with him 30 years of experience in financial services, spanning wealth management and banking. He joins a team which has recently been further expanded in anticipation of a gradual ramp-up in M&A activity.
Rachel Morris and Rebecca Francis, most recently of Succession and Samantha Wallace, formerly of The Ingenious Group, have joined as partnership managers with responsibility for specific geographies that Fairstone are targeting.
He will play a key strategic role in driving the success of the firm’s proprietary Downstream Buy Out (DBO) model, supporting newly onboarded firms to drive profitability and efficiency on their pathway to acquisition.
He said: “I’m excited to take on the MD role within the Partnership function which supports business principals through the critical period of integration, ahead of the final purchase phase. The team’s priority is to get to know each individual business and the people within it. We then map a tailored growth and integration plan to ready the business and its clients for a future sale, creating a platform for long-term and sustainable growth.
“While I have been part of the wider Fairstone team for the last 18 months I have seen first-hand the increase in scale, and I look forward to contributing to our ongoing success.”
