Law firm Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Birmingham partner Matthew Giles as the new group leader of its pensions practice.
Mr Giles has been with the firm for more than 20 years and became a partner in 2008, taking over leadership of the Birmingham pensions team in 2013.
He specialises in advising on defined benefit pension plans, focusing on a range of deficit management strategies, and helps trustees, sponsors and overseas parent companies on all aspects of pension plan management and compliance. He succeeds Clifford Sims.
Mr Giles said: "I have been fortunate to work with Clifford and his predecessor Catherine McKenna for many years and the success of our practice is testament to their energy, enthusiasm and commitment.
"This year sees the introduction of a new code of practice that will be at the top of the agenda of every pension scheme and I am excited to lead a strong practice that is ideally positioned to help clients manage these new obligations."
The practice has also promoted two of its solicitors to partner.
Kate Bailey (pensions) and Nicola Smith (environmental, safety and health), both of whom trained and qualified with the firm, have made the step up as part of a global promotional round in which 26 lawyers have been made partners within the firm.
Ms Bailey is a specialist pension lawyer with experience advising trustees and corporates on all aspects of occupational pension plan management, including legislative compliance and benefit change projects.
Ms Smith specialises in regulatory compliance, covering alcohol and entertainment licensing, food law and general product compliance.
In other appointment news, financial services firm EY has recruited Jeremy Harrison as its new partner to lead the mergers and acquisitions advisory team in the Midlands.
He brings more than 20 years of experience advising high-growth, mid-market businesses and entrepreneurs on acquisitions, company sales and capital raising activity across the Midlands.
He joins EY from his previous role as managing director at US investment bank Houlihan Lokey.
Financial consultancy Interpath Advisory has hired Ryan Grant as its new managing director.
Mr Grant, who will be based out of the firm's Birmingham office, joins Interpath from BDO where he was a restructuring partner.
An experienced mid-market restructuring advisor and insolvency practitioner, his recent appointments have included Bathstore.com, DW Sports and nightclub operator Deltic Group.
Kingswinford-based stationery firm Maped Helix has appointed Pierre Calmet as its new international sales manager.
He has worked for more than 20 years in international sales and was previously with PDC Brands which supplies personal care products.
The company has also welcomed three new colleagues to the sales and the supply chain teams. Daniel Bose from Zest Product Solutions, Pasquale Cappetta from Solution EU and Dominic Smart from PPC AND A.
Law firm Flint Bishop has strengthened its corporate team with the appointment of a new partner.
Joel Nixon is the new corporate finance partner in its Birmingham office, joining from Browne Jacobson.
He has a wealth of experience advising clients in the private, third and public sectors across a variety of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, disposals, reorganisations and joint ventures, as well as commercial contracting and projects.
His specialism is in the health and social care sector, in particular acting for a range of operators across residential care, supported living and domiciliary care.
Prior to joining Browne Jacobson, he worked within the General Counsel function of the Parabis Group.
Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has appointed a new corporate partner in its Birmingham office.
Michael Stace brings more than 25 years of experience to the post including his most recent spell at Browne Jacobson where he was head of the firm's Birmingham office.
Specialising in corporate finance, Mr Stace advises public and private companies, individuals and institutions on domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, restructurings, joint ventures and partnership matters.
Multi-disciplinary engineering practice Clancy Consulting has announced the promotion of Scott Lydon to director.
Joining the consultancy back in 2016 as divisional director, Mr Lydon has been growing the local Birmingham office and presence across multiple sectors during this tenure.
His promotion will see him join the board and assist fellow Birmingham director Mike Powers in strategically developing the office.
Mid market private equity firm NorthEdge has made a promotion and welcomed a new hire in its Birmingham office.
Kevin O'Loughlin has been promoted from investment director to director, having been involved in a number of investments, including the acquisitions and exits of Orbis Protect and Bridge Farm.
Matthew Mellon joins the business as an investment manager, bringing experience from his previous roles at AGC Equity Partners and JP Morgan.
In his new role, he will be responsible for supporting new investment opportunities and growing NorthEdge's portfolio.
