Here is news of the latest movers and shakers at firms around the East Midlands.
Shoosmiths:
Law firm Shoosmiths has announced eight new partners in its May promotions round, including Matthew Kemp (pictured above), who has been appointed as partner in the Nottingham office. He advises funds, landlords and corporates, with a particular focus on investment.
The other new Shoosmiths partners are Jill Briggs, Kate Garcia, Holly Hirst, Liz McKillop Paley, Chris Moakes, Lisa Sigalet and Brian West.
Shoosmiths has also promoted 12 people to legal director and 24 to principal associate.
Shoosmiths chairperson Peter Duff said: “We would like to thank all this year’s promotees for their contribution to Shoosmiths.
“The dedication they have shown to clients and their commitment to Shoosmiths’ values has been exceptional.
“At Shoosmiths, we are committed to developing and nurturing our people to create the best lawyers of tomorrow – getting this right is integral to Shoosmiths’ strategic expansion across our chosen markets in the years to come.”
Heavenly Desserts:
International luxury dessert restaurant franchise Heavenly Desserts has appointed Mimi Elias as head of learning and development to bolster the skills of the team and its franchisees as it expands into its new territories of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and America.
Mimi has spent more than a decade in the sector, and has played a pivotal head office role as a learning and development manager at The Ivy Collection and Ivy Asia, having progressed from her initial position as a training manager over the past six years.
She has also worked for key restaurant industry brands such as Gaucho, Jackson and Rye, and The Royal Academy of Arts in London.
As a newly created role for the Derby-based brand, Mimi’s appointment signals a new focus on developing people to their fullest potential.
She will support franchise partners in training and development of their own teams and managers, ensuring they are performing at their best and continuing to deliver luxury in both service and desserts to support the brand’s expansion goals.
Howes Percival:
Law firm Howes Percival has announced 14 senior promotions in the East Midlands, including new partners Alexandra Hornsby, Nick Benton, Jennifer Laskey.
Meanwhile, Alishia Marrocco, Gary Pitt, Owen Franks, Jeremy Hyde, Lucy Elianu, Ben Hancox, Danielle Chetwynd, Miles Barnes and Jasmine Mason have all been promoted to the level of director, while William Taylor and Kiran Vohra have been made senior associates.
Howes Percival's chairman Geraint Davies said: “I'd like to congratulate everyone on their promotions which acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and invaluable contribution these individuals have made to Howes Percival.
“As a firm we have a reputation for promoting from within and it is great to be able to reward so many people this year for their exceptional efforts in supporting our clients.”
Howes Percival has offices in Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Norwich.
Gi Group:
Pete Taylor has been appointed as managing director of Gi Group Staffing UK & Ireland.
It follows the successful completion of Gi Group’s merger with Leicester-based Encore Personnel, an established Midlands and North recruitment agency, where Pete was MD.
In his new role he succeeds Paul Smith who dedicated almost two decades of his career to growing and cementing Gi Group’s presence across the country.
Pete said: “I’m honoured to be taking the baton, as it were, from Paul who has demonstrated in the short time we have worked together how investment in and dedication to the people of Gi Group is the key to success in this very important role.
“Having steered the Encore ship through some of the choppiest waters in our history, during the pandemic and its aftermath, I feel prepared for, whilst also incredibly humbled, to be taking on the responsibility of the position of MD for our now much larger, united business, which has the combined potential to change thousands of lives for the better.
Gi Group operates more than 26 branches and 60 sites across the UK, and employs 650 people.
Eurocell:
Eurocell, a manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U building products, has appointed Darren Waters as its new chief executive.
He takes over at the Derbyshire business from Mark Kelly who has retired after seven years.
Eurocell is one of the biggest providers of windows, doors, conservatories and roofs in the UK, and is also the biggest UK recycler of PVC windows.
Darren brings a wealth of knowledge with over 20 years’ experience in the building products sector and a diverse career in petroleum, heavy building materials and door and window hardware.
Previous positions include Ibstock plc, where he was chief operating officer for two years and was part of a team that delivered a record performance for the business. Prior to that Darren was CEO of Tyman UK for nine years, during which he completed a number of acquisitions and divestments as well as the consolidation of the business as it transitioned into a state-of-the-art facility in Wolverhampton.
St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District:
A St Peters Quarter ranger who has patrolled Derby’s streets welcoming visitors and supporting local businesses for more than a decade is retiring.
Dave Wilson, 59, is one half of the team serving the St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) and has become a familiar face on Derby’s streets.
The former police constable is hanging up his boots to enjoy what he says will be “a slower pace of life” with his family.
Dave said: “I have loved being a Ranger in Derby. It has been the most rewarding job and I have met some truly wonderful people.
“From the moment you start your day, you feel a huge sense of responsibility to support all the businesses and shoppers in your area. It has meant so much to me to be able to help them.”
Dave and colleague Nikki Matthews along with Cathedral Quarter rangers Scott Harris and Jon McKenzie, each walk around 10 miles a day and clock up thousands of hours patrolling the city.
Before Dave’s retirement, they had served the city for a combined total of more than 40 years.
Dave said: “Some days are hugely rewarding because you’ve helped someone, but other days are much trickier.
“You need broad shoulders, but together we support the BID businesses and make sure people are enjoying themselves safely in Derby.”
