Accountancy firm Alextra Group has appointed Jo Hamilton as its new tax manager.
The company, which has offices in Crewe and Newcastle-under-Lyme, created the role after enjoying 'rapid growth' over the last few years.
Chartered tax advisor Jo – who is also a qualified trust and state practitioner – joins the 60-strong company to establish a specific tax department, which will allow Alextra to extend its existing tax services particularly in the area of succession planning and inheritance tax planning.
Jo said: "I am delighted to join Alextra and work with the directors and client managers on delivering pro-active tax advice to our clients.
"As this is a new role, Alextra have given me the opportunity to help the directors in growing the tax offering by identifying areas in which we can add value to our clients, both personally and in their businesses.
"As we get busier, the aim is to add to the tax team and give opportunities for talented tax professionals to join us and also train the next generation of tax professionals.
"As a local girl, it is also great to come back to work in the local area to give something back, make new connections and re-establish relationships with local businesses and professionals."
Elsewhere, business and corporate lawyer Dermot Callinan has joined national firm Excello Law in Staffordshire.
Qualifying in 1998 and based in Stoke-on-Trent, Dermot deals with company grouping, EMI share schemes and corporate finance as well as drafting shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, investor documentation and cross option agreements. Dermot is also a director of the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce.
Dermot said: "Having been a partner in a local firm for many years, I was initially looking to set up my own practice but kept coming back to Excello. The innovative business model combines the advantages of a large law firm, with a range of central support services, with the freedoms of being your own boss as a sole practitioner, without the major disadvantages of both. I am looking forward to building my own practice with the firm."
Joanne Losty, director at Excello Law, said: "Staffordshire and the West Midlands is a key area of growth for us.
"Having set up offices in Birmingham and Leicester, we're now looking to open in Stoke-on-Trent and are delighted to welcome a lawyer of Dermot's experience to our team. He knows the client base in the region very well and will be a great asset to our business and corporate legal services offering."
Staffordshire law firm Pickering and Butters has added a senior solicitor to its team.
The firm – which has offices in Stafford and Rugeley – has appointed Dan Pegg following a period of sustained growth in its rural and farming business.
Dan will join the agricultural team which serves the farming and landowner community throughout Staffordshire.
Jan Boulter, managing partner at Pickering and Butters, said: "Our agricultural department has seen demand rising consistently over recent times.
"In addition to our traditional, core business such as land transactions, development work and business, and succession planning, we have seen a sharp increase in enquiries relating to renewable energy and compulsory purchase, most notably concerning HS2.
"To manage our current and incoming agricultural portfolio over the coming years we have asked Dan Pegg, an experienced partner with a first-class track record, to join the department from April."
Dan added: "It's an exciting time to be part of the agricultural team and I’m delighted to be joining Sean Spinetto and colleagues to manage existing workloads and contribute to further growth.
"This area of the business continues to thrive, which is a tribute to the outstanding work done over the years for local farmers, landowners and the rural community generally."
And Beswicks Legal's dispute resolution team has been boosted by the addition of solicitor Daniel Wright.
Dan specialises in property litigation and commercial disputes. He studied law at Keele University before going on to complete his LPC and qualifying into property litigation at a national law firm.
Beswicks' group director of operations Ryan Yates said: "It's great to welcome Dan onboard. We have a very experienced and talented disputes team at Beswicks. The addition of Dan further boosts our capacity to support clients who find themselves embroiled in often difficult and stressful situations."
Dan added: "I am very excited to join the team at Beswicks, a firm with a brilliant reputation. The team has been very welcoming and I already feel well-integrated in the short time since I joined Beswicks."
Finally, a gas analysis equipment supplier has welcomed Joaneide Derry to the role of purchasing specialist.
Joaneide has joined Eccleshall-based DRM Technic with more than 20 years' experience in procurement and logistics.
Originally from Brazil, Joaneide is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English. She said: "Throughout my career I've built robust relationships with suppliers and clients. I believe my ability to speak multiple languages has compounded my success in developing rapports and I’m looking forward to extending this skill here at DRM Technic."
DRM Technic has agreed to support Joaneide through her CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) Masters in Procurement, which she is due to complete in 2024.
Megan Faragher, general manager at DRM Technic said: "This is a highly-regarded qualification, and one of the most prestigious a professional purchaser can achieve.
"After completion, Joaneide will be well on her way to becoming MCIPS Chartered which will equip her with the skills necessary to enhance our team and wider business practices."
