This summer sees some serious shifting around in senior roles in Gloucestershire: from new county charity board members to commercial law and chartered surveyor promotions galore.
There’s also the anticpated news of GFirst LEP’s brand-new chair, and an appointment to the prestigious, national Design Council as well…
Ruth Dooley – GFirst LEP
Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership has announced the first change in its leadership, as Dr Diane Savory OBE steps down after 10 years at the helm and Ruth Dooley has been revealed as its new chair.
Ms Dooley said: ‘I am honoured and excited to be taking on the role of chair. In the decade since it was established, GFirst LEP has secured more than £112 million in capital funding to invest across the county, it has launched a hugely successful Growth Hub network along with a whole host of fantastic projects including the Gloucester Transport Hub, the Gloucester M5 Services, Cyber Central in Cheltenham, Farm 491 in Cirencester and the GREEN Skills centre in Berkeley.
‘I am determined that the LEP will build on this impressive legacy over the comings years, continuing to deliver the sustainable economic growth that Gloucestershire needs and deserves.’
For more information, see GFirst LEP appoints its new chair.
Marcus Gomery – Pied Piper Appeal Board
Brunsdon Financial’s managing director, Marcus Gomery, has been appointed to the board of The Pied Piper Appeal.
It is an appointment which also recognises the firm’s long-standing relationship with the Gloucester-based charity, which exists to support children and their families during some of the toughest times of their lives.
The charity provides specialist equipment for the Children’s Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, as well as equipping children outpatient areas at hospitals across the county. It also provides SEND schools with minibuses, sensory equipment and arranges holidays for children with life-limiting illnesses.
Mr Gomery described himself as ‘humbled and privileged’.
Amy Leivers, Kirstie Carr and Lucy McCallum – WSP Solicitors
Three new salaried directors have been appointed at WSP Solicitors, which has offices in Stroud, Gloucester and Dursley.
Amy Leivers is head of WSP Solicitors’ specialist commercial property department; Kirstie Carr is head of the private client department; and Lucy McCallum head of the firm’s residential property conveyancing department.
Judi Bonham, managing director at WSP Solicitors, said: ‘All three lawyers have played a key role in leading their respective teams through the pandemic and supporting their departments. These appointments will strengthen our board going forward and their progression is testament to their hard work and contribution to WSP Solicitors.’
David Evans – Design Council
David Jones, managing director of planning and property consultancy, Evans Jones, has been appointed to the Design Council as one of its panel of national experts.
Design Council, established by Winston Churchill’s government in 1944 to support Britain’s economic recovery, exists to make life better by design.
It is an independent charity and the government’s advisor on design, and works also with grassroots to government, delivering programmes, producing world-class research and influencing policy – covering the built environment, public sector design, as well as social and business innovation.
‘I am honoured to be appointed as an expert on the Design Council. I have been a representative on the Gloucestershire Design Panel for some years now and am now taking this to a national level,’ said Mr Jones.
Richard Wilkey – Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Richard Wilkey now leads Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ successful corporate team, taking over the reins from managing partner Rod Thomas.
Mr Wilkey, who led the firm’s corporate team in Cheltenham from 2013 and then in London from last summer, has been with the firm since 2010.
‘I’m delighted to be taking over the reins from Rod, who has been instrumental in the growth and success of the team for over 21 years,’ said Mr Wilkey.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys has more than 780 staff and partners based at offices in Cheltenham, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Hereford, London, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Thames Valley, Worcester and the Wye Valley.
Michael Gooch – Mactaggart & Mickel
Mactaggart & Mickel has strengthened its strategic land division with a new appointment of Michael Gooch to its Cheltenham office to support its growth in the south west.
Mr Gooch, who has a master’s degree in planning practice and research from Cardiff University, joins from planning consultancy Boyer where he was a principal planner in the Welsh capital.
His role will be to identify new strategic land opportunities from the West Midlands to Somerset and neighbouring Dorset and Wiltshire, and guide sites with development potential through the planning process for the housebuilding market.
Various appointments and promotions at Bruton Knowles
National chartered surveyor firm Bruton Knowles has been busy promoting and appointing talent within its business as it continues to grow.
May Dudley (U&I team), Chris Renshaw (U&I team), Nicole Fitzpatrick (valuations team), Aled Jenkins and Ian LeGrice (commercial) have all been promoted from associate to senior associate and Rachel Holland from surveyor to senior surveyor (U&I team).
Sam Spencer (leisure and hospitality) will become a salaried partner alongside his colleagues Ben Compton (rural) and Martin Wilson (valuations).
James Bailey, managing partner, said: ‘We strive to nurture talent from within, ensuring staff have the opportunity to develop and progress so with a number of individuals going above and beyond, from securing new business, to driving team growth and ensuring excellent client satisfaction, we feel it is imperative that they are recognised.’
Julian Bolitho and James Tarpy – Alder King
Gloucester-based property consultancy Alder King has announced two new appointments to its planning team.
Julian Bolitho has joined the practice as a partner, bringing more 30 years’ planning experience in the private and public sectors.
Mr Bolitho has successfully advised clients throughout the UK across a range of development sectors, including healthcare, education, residential, commercial and research and development.
James Tarpy, a recent graduate of Newcastle University with a MSc in Urban Planning and a specialist in place-based urban regeneration, also joins the firm.
Rita Bajaj – Ecclesiastical
Specialist financial services group Ecclesiastical has appointed Rita Bajaj as a non-executive director, effective from 15 July 2021.
Ms Bajaj joins the Gloucester-firm’s board with more than 30 years of financial markets experience.
She has held senior investment portfolio manager positions at Royal London and Invesco Perpetual and managed global and US equity vehicles for several major US investment institutions. She is also a former regulator at the Financial Conduct Authority.
‘Ecclesiastical is a unique financial services organisation, committed to making a positive difference to its customers and communities, and I share its values and ethics-driven approach,’ said Ms Bajaj.
Craig Hatch – WellChild
WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children, has appointed Craig Hatch as its new chair of trustees.
Mr Hatch, from Cockermouth, has first-hand experience of the challenges facing families caring for a child with complex health needs. One of his four children, Fraser, has Cerebral Palsy and requires a large amount of daily care.
Craig has been involved with WellChild for eight years after his family first attended a WellChild Mountain Rescue Day in the Lake District.
WellChild’s previous chair of trustees, Andrew Osborne, has retired from the role after serving for the last three years.
Nick Evans – Gloucestershire deputy police and crime commissioner
Forest of Dean District councillor Nick Evans is Gloucestershire’s new deputy police and crime commissioner (DPCC).
Mr Evans, Conservative councillor for Tidenham, will lead on crime prevention and the ‘public health’ approach to crime, represent the PCC in meetings, in public and act on his behalf as required by law.
Mr Evans, a former Special Constable, was selected as the preferred candidate following a competitive interview process nearly three weeks ago.
PCC Chris Nelson said: ‘Nick was the outstanding candidate in a very strong field. He brings a wealth of experience.’
Lee McBride – Lodders
Law firm Lodders has appointed environmental lawyer Lee McBride as partner to head-up its new dedicated environmental law service, working alongside its real estate, business property & renewables, and agriculture teams.
Mr McBride was formerly head of the environmental law practice at the Birmingham office of international law firm GowlingWLG (formerly Wragge & co), where he was a partner for over 20 years.
He has specialised in environmental law for 29 years, and has particular expertise in dealing with contaminated land, permitting, waste and other environmental issues that arise in real estate and corporate transactions.
