Residential conveyancing specialist Helen Taylor has been appointed as a Senior Conveyancer by Chorlton law firm HLF Berry Solicitors, looking after a range of property matters for clients in the area.

In her new role Helen will be dealing with all aspects of residential conveyancing and property, working out of the firm’s Chorlton office alongside Paul Hannam, HLF Berry Solicitors Partner.
“We’re delighted that Helen has joined our team and we welcome the expertise she brings with her,” says Paul Hannam.

“As a firm, HLF Berry Solicitors, together with our predecessor firm Robin Burman and Co, has been providing legal services across the Manchester area for 100 years and more – and we have a reputation locally for being proactive, knowledgeable, approachable and dependable on all matters of law.”

The company provides services that span family law, commercial law, Wills, probate, Court of Protection, charities, education law, ecclesiastical law and conveyancing law.

Paul Hannam adds: “Chorlton has a thriving property market and despite the current lockdown, this continues to be the case. More than ever, clients rely on our experience to handle a range of complex and straightforward property transactions efficiently and know we will work hard to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.

“Helen has comprehensive experience of sales, purchases and re-mortgages of both freehold and leasehold residential properties. Furthermore, she has dealt with part exchanges, new builds, garden land sales, matrimonial transfers, equity transfers, probate sales, boundary guidance, and more – and is already proving to be an invaluable member of our team as a property specialist.”
With previous experience in a wide range of residential conveyancing property matters, Helen has worked for other law firms across the country as well as in banking before joining HLF Berry Solicitors.

Helen Taylor comments: “I am really enjoying my work for HLF Berry Solicitors so far and am excited about working with the team at the Chorlton office on an ongoing basis.
“Obviously, the coronavirus pandemic is having an impact on us all and it’ll be even better when we’re able to get back to working face-to-face with clients.

“Despite working remotely, I’ve already been able to assist clients in the local area with their property transactions to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.”

“Joining a new law firm at this time is undoubtedly challenging but Helen has been brilliant, handling it all professionally, approachably and efficiently,” adds Paul Hannam.

“Her knowledge of residential conveyancing and property matters is extensive and she has already helped a number of our clients with their property or land sale and purchase matters.

“Furthermore, her understanding of the legal process shows through in all her advice, and we are really looking forward to working alongside Helen.”

LEADING business advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP has promoted Paul Wilson to partner in its North West practice.

Paul has worked as a VAT Director in the firm’s tax team for the last four years. He has been based in the region for 13 years of his two-decade career – which has been focussed entirely in VAT – and before that worked in London and New Zealand.

He has experience advising a broad mix of clients including FTSE 100 companies, multinational businesses, and owner-managed businesses. Paul has particular expertise in manufacturing, technology, real estate and private healthcare, and is a recognised expert in international supply chain advisory. This has led to him leading several of the firm’s Brexit readiness projects for its client base.

Grant Thornton continues to invest in developing and retaining its people, and has also announced two further promotions within the North West team.

Louise Gannon and Paul Bamber have both been promoted to Director. Louise now leads the not-for-profit corporate tax team and has over 13 years’ experience advising both charitable and corporate organisations.

Paul joins the leadership group within audit that has overseen significant growth through 2020 and is targeting further expansion in 2021. He has 20 years’ experience advising businesses across a broad range of sectors including privately owned, PE-backed, AIM-listed, and internationally groups.

The North West practice has its headquarters in Manchester and recently reaffirmed its commitment to the city by announcing a new 15-year lease which will see its 350-strong Manchester team based at the Landmark office development at St Peter’s Square.

Commenting on his promotion to partner, Paul Wilson said: “I am hugely excited to be taking the next step in my career with Grant Thornton. The strength of the tax team in the region was a major draw when I joined the firm in 2017, so I’m incredibly pleased to step up to partner within it.

“The region’s businesses have faced a year like no other during 2020. But the result of the Brexit negotiations, and the start of life in earnest outside of the EU, presents fresh challenges for many internationally trading businesses. Timely, reliable, clear advice is the ask from all business leaders and Grant Thornton is committed to providing that.”

Carl Williams, North West managing partner for Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “Paul’s promotion to partner comes at a time of significant potential disruption to international supply chains, when our region’s globally trading businesses need assured counsel. I’m pleased to see him make the step up to partner and to continue to offer real insight and guidance to our client base.

“As a firm, we’re committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best and brightest talent. All of our promoted colleagues have supported both clients and each other with resilience, dynamism and compassion amid unprecedented circumstances last year and I’m delighted to recognise that.”

Kinaxia Logistics has created three senior roles in its finance team in line with the group’s increased breadth and scale.
Mike Lyons has been appointed group governance director after moving from his post as finance director at Trafford Park-based AKW Group, which became part of Kinaxia in 2018.

His new role sees him working with managing directors, finance directors and sales teams across Kinaxia’s business units with a focus on risk management, compliance and assisting with contractual and service level agreements and new large accounts.

Mike spent 20 years at AKW Group in a variety of finance roles, during which the business has increased turnover from £5m to over £30m.

Gary Thompson has joined Kinaxia as regional finance director for the north.
He assumes responsibility for Kinaxia companies AKW Global Logistics and AKW Global Warehousing, Bay Freight in Stalybridge, William Kirk in Macclesfield and Fresh Freight in Gateshead, and will provide direction and support to their existing finance teams.

Gary has extensive transport and warehousing sector experience, most recently at Bibby Distribution, where he held a number of senior finance roles over seven years. Before that he worked at XPO Logistics Europe and API Group and TDG.
Sharon Deakin has joined Kinaxia as group financial controller. She previously held senior financial and commercial leadership roles at several logistics and warehousing companies, including senior vice-president finance at Ceva Logistics.

Kinaxia’s group finance director Ben Warrillow said: “Mike, Gary and Sharon have a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the industry.

“Their appointments will greatly benefit the wider group by strengthening the capacity and capability of our finance function in line with the increasing breadth and scale of the company.”

Kinaxia comprises 13 freight and logistics businesses across the UK with over 1,600 staff and more than 800 vehicles.

The group, which has its headquarters in Macclesfield, Cheshire, has two million sq ft of warehouse facilities nationwide, offering contract packing, e-fulfilment, returns management and storage services.
It has seen significant and continued growth over recent years, with annual revenues now approaching £200m.

Kinaxia was recently recognised as one of Britain’s leading mid-market private companies with its inclusion in the 16th annual Sunday Times PwC Top Track 250 league table, based on sales.