Newcastle and County Durham-based Robson Laidler Accountants has appointed two new managing directors as long serving MD Graham Purvis retires.
Mr Purvis, who has worked at the firm for 27 years and has been its managing director for the past nine years, hands over the reins to Amy Park and Nick Wilson, who will take a step up from their current roles to co-manage the £6m turnover firm.
Ms Park, who has worked at the firm for more than 20 years and Nick for 15, will now take the 104-year-old business forward with an growth plan which includes Ƶ-wide business acquisitions and new service lines. Ms Park was appointed the first female director in the firm’s history in 2017, while Mr Wilson was the youngest person to become a director in 2020 when he was only 28. He will lead on business strategy and operations whilst Ms Park will spearhead the people and culture accountabilities for the firm.
Mr Purvis said: “Succession planning and retirement is a natural progression in any business. I’m passing the baton to Nick and Amy who are exceptionally capable and well-positioned to keep the firm on exactly the right path. A joint MD role is a forward-thinking approach in our industry and the right move for our business. Amy and Nick have unique skill sets and their combined leadership will be a powerful force.”
Ms Park said: “Graham’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Robson Laidler into the thriving, values-driven firm it is today. He has guided us through transformational milestones and he leaves behind not just a successful business but a lasting legacy of sustainable growth, innovation and an award-winning workplace culture.”
Mr Wilson added: “We’re incredibly excited to build on the firm’s strong foundations and drive it to even greater heights. We have a great team around us and we’re confident in our vision for the future. Robson Laidler has been an extension of my family, and I will always hold the firm and its people in great regard.”
Business advisory firm Ryecroft Glenton (RG) has announced eight internal promotions across four of its specialist service lines. In audit and assurance, Robert Booth has been promoted to senior, having joined RG in December 2021 from a smaller practice. Within the same team, Ellen Jacobs and Vashenka Naidoo have both been promoted to assistant manager.
In the corporate tax team, Chris Peverley has been promoted to manager, while Rachael Best has been prmpyed to manager in the Outsourced | FD team. In Corporate Finance, Sam Shield has been promoted to senior manager, while Euan Mulholland and Ben Kain both take up new roles as managers.
Peter Glenton, Partner at Ryecroft Glenton, said: “We’re delighted to recognise the achievements of these eight colleagues. Each one of them brings dedication, talent, and professionalism to their work, and their promotions are very well deserved.
“At RG, we are passionate about creating an environment where people can grow and thrive, and where their hard work is recognised and rewarded. These promotions reflect not only individual success, but also the depth of talent across our firm. We’re proud to support our team’s development and excited to see what they go on to achieve in their new roles.”
Durham law firm Swinburne Maddison LLP has announced the appointment of Gemma Wilkinson, Lyndsey Pitt and Wayne Christie and new heads of department. Ms Wilkinson, who qualified as a solicitor in 2009 becomes head of legal compliance, Lyndsey Pitt becomes head of people and culture, and Mr Christie is the firm’s new head of operations and innovation.
Managing partner and head of the dispute resolution team, Jonathan Moreland, said: “Over the past five years, Swinburne Maddison has seen consistent year-on-year growth in turnover, profitability and headcount. To sustain this momentum, we want to ensure that our expanding business has dedicated functional specialists who can support our legal teams effectively.
“We continue to win work across the region, and beyond. As we look to the future, our goal is to maintain sector growth while delivering exceptional service to our existing clients.
“These newly created strategic roles will be instrumental in refining our client journey, ensuring seamless service delivery, and enabling our legal teams to focus on their casework without unnecessary administrative burdens.”
Newcastle law firm Burnetts Solicitors LLP has appointed two new equity partners following a year of growth and investment. Paul Brown who is a serious injury partner for the firm and current President of Newcastle upon Tyne Law Society has joined as an equity partner, along with Nicola Nutley who is Burnetts’ head of Newcastle, and head of banking and property finance.
Mr Brown joined Burnetts in 2018 and has over 20 years’ experience of supporting clients with personal injury claims following serious brain, amputation and spinal injuries. He is also chairman of brain injury charity Headway Wearside, and secretary for the Northern Acquired Brain Injury Forum. Ms Nutley joined the firm in 2021 and is a leading banking lawyer recognised by Chambers and Partners. She has been head of Newcastle for Burnetts since the firm’s £1m investment in its move to Citygate last year.
They now join Burnetts’ seven existing equity partners and become part owners in the firm.
Nick Gutteridge, Burnetts’ managing partner said: “Paul and Nicola absolutely embody our values and their care for and dedication to our clients, is exceptional. We couldn’t ask for better examples of what we stand for here at Burnetts and so it’s with great pleasure that we welcome them as Equity Partners.”
Commercial law firm Square One Law has appointed two new partners. Phil Gregory has joined as a commercial property partner from Shoosmiths, where he was a partner in the firm’s Leeds office.
Meanwhile corporate and renewable energy specialist, Amy Wanless, has been recruited as a corporate partner, from her role as in-house senior legal counsel for global energy powerhouse, Aggreko.
Gill Hunter, managing partner at Square One Law, said: “We are delighted to welcome Amy and Phil to Square One Law. Corporate and commercial property are two areas where we’ve seen significant growth, and these appointments are key to ensuring we continue delivering the exceptional client service that we’re known for.
“Their expertise strengthens our commitment to providing high-quality, commercially focused advice — working in a way that truly supports our clients’ goals. We’re excited to have them join the team.”
