New line-up for Family Law team at Burnetts Solicitors
Carlisle-based Burnetts Solicitors LLP – one of the largest law firms in the North of England – has announced a new head for its Family team.
The firm, which has offices in Carlisle, Cockermouth and Newcastle, has appointed Mark Ward as salaried partner and head of family.
Mark joined Burnetts in April of this year with over 20 years’ experience in family law and specialises in financial matters on separation for both married and unmarried couples, as well as child custody matters.
Emma Armstrong has been promoted from associate to senior associate and returns to the firm in November following maternity leave.
A former pupil of Caldew School in Dalston, Emma advises on all aspects on family law and specialises in cases involving family farms and businesses.
Existing team members Liz Wilson – senior associate, and Vikki Porthouse – senior associate chartered legal executive, continue to advise on all aspects of divorce, matrimonial finances, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements and cases involving children, from Burnetts’ Carlisle, Newcastle and Cockermouth offices.
Nick Gutteridge, managing partner of Burnetts, said: “This is a new era for our family team, and we’re delighted to welcome Mark, who brings with him many years of valuable experience, as head and salaried partner.
Mark Ward, new head of family, said: “I am delighted to have joined such a respected firm and to have been offered this opportunity within a well-regarded and highly rated family team.”
Growth for Carlisle-based Prospus marketing and design agency
Carlisle-based marketing agency Prospus Marketing has expanded their core team with the addition of Abbie Deeb to the business.
Abbie joins the agency as a marketing and development executive and will lead on business development for the firm, as well as working on marketing campaigns for the agency’s clients.
Elizabeth Fisher, director of Prospus Marketing said: “We are thrilled to have Abbie join our team. This is a new role within the business and one that forms a core part of our continuing growth.
“We have worked hard over the past few years to grow our client base and I am so proud of the long-lasting relationships we have with our clients today.”
Abbie says: “It’s great to be part of such a dynamic team that leverages strategy and creativity to help grow their clients’ businesses.
“I am looking forward to fostering new opportunities locally and to expanding the company’s market presence further to accelerate the growth of the business.”
H&H Land & Estates boosts its team with appointment of development director
Carlisle firm H&H Land & Estates has appointed Helen Russell as their new director of land development.
A highly qualified chartered surveyor and a former director of the company, Helen returns to H&H Land & Estates bringing five year’s invaluable experience specialising in land development, most recently as land director for a national house builder.
Based in the company’s Carlisle office, Helen will be responsible for the growth of the land development support H&H Land & Estates offers clients across its offices in Cumbria, the North East, Durham and Yorkshire.
Helen will work closely with fellow directors Tim Sedgewick, Thomas Armstrong, and Mark Barrow to support the company’s continuing expansion in all areas of land and estate management, valuation, rural land and property sales, and in reaching new client bases.
H&H Land & Estates managing director Mark Johnson said: “Helen’s return marks another major step forward in our growth.
“She rejoins us at a time when we have expanded into new head offices at Staveley in Kendal and established a presence for the first time in Yorkshire.
“Helen’s experience will now add another very important dimension to the breadth of our expertise and the support we can offer clients in this critical area of land management.”
Helen said: “It’s a great pleasure to be returning to H&H Land & Estates and to be able to add my experience in land development to the company’s portfolio of expertise.
“Over the past five years the company has developed and grown enormously, expanding its services, and opening new offices, and I am really excited to be working with colleagues old and new.”
North East legal firm appoints experienced Cumbrian solicitor
Sunderland-based legal firm Longden, Walker and Renney has appointed experience Cumbrian solicitor Chris Clayton, as the company expands its commercial litigation services.
An experienced commercial dispute resolution solicitor and a qualified solicitor advocate, Chris can represent clients in all courts including the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Originally from Cumbria, Chris has worked at large national practices where he gained experience in complex commercial litigation work.
Based in Cumbria, he will provide commercial litigation services across the whole of the North of England.
Managing director Neil Heavisides said: “We are thrilled to welcome Chris to our team. His extensive skills and experience align perfectly with our aims of providing a diverse range of the highest-quality legal services to our clients.
“Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in commercial litigation and his status as a solicitor advocate means we can knowledgably guide clients and offer exceptional legal representation at every stage of a case.”
Carlisle Business Support Network celebrates donating thousands to charity
A business support network has donated nearly £7,000 to more than 10 charities since it was established five years ago.
Carlisle Business Support Network was set up in 2018 as a place for local businesses to network, share knowledge and raise money for good causes.
The group meets every week and has 27 members representing a wide range of sectors.
Members pay a monthly fee with 100 per cent of the proceeds distributed to charity.
“The idea came from a group of likeminded people in the business community,” said former chair Jenny Strong, who is corporate account manager at Carlisle’s Borderway Finance.
“We are very business-focused and try to recommend and support the attendees. Because we understand the excellent service our members provide, it’s almost like recommending a family member”
“The key aim for us is to be able to refer each other but also to act as a sounding board and share knowledge and best practice. We want to keep growing and bring in people from different sectors and benefit businesses within our network and local area as well as helping more charities in the future.”
The charitable fund is distributed to members who are taking on fundraising challenges, as well as other causes.
Charities that have been supported by the network include Eden Valley Hospice, Carlisle MIND, Blood Bikes and Spiral, a charity which supports people who have been affected by bullying.
The network gave £500 to sponsor RealiseHR, when four of its team completed the Macmillan Cancer Support Lake District Mighty Hike on the Ullswater Way during the summer.
Claire McLean, chief executive of RealiseHR is also a founding member of the network.
“It’s really a place for small businesses to connect with each other and support each other and recommend each other to grow their business.
“The members of the network have always been real advocates of RealiseHR and we all try to support each other.
“It’s very collaborative and giving in nature. It’s lovely for us to be able to support local charities, national charities or local companies doing charitable events,” said Claire.
Carlisle Business Support Network has also donated £170 to fundraising group People First, enabling it to buy gift cards to give to learners as part of its Learner Awards Ceremony.
People First fundraising officer Natalie Bingham said: “The network has helped People First on a number of occasions, mainly by inviting us to their regular networking meeting so we can help raise the profile of People First and talk about the work we do, as well as chatting through upcoming projects and events.
“This is really worthwhile to us as we’re working as hard as possible to raise our profile, increase our awareness and hopefully help support more people long term.
“The network have always been very supportive of the work we do and genuinely want to help and support one another in any way they can. A really great group of friendly and supportive people.”
