Harrogate-based Raworths is marking a year of growth for its Commercial Property team with the promotion of two senior solicitors to both partner and new leadership roles.
Heather Roberts, who joined as legal director in 2023, has been promoted to partner and head of Commercial Property.
She has more than 25 years’ experience acting for investors, developers, landlords, tenants and banks.
She offers a breadth of expertise from investment, development and asset management work to advising SME clients on their portfolio purchases and leases.
Since joining Raworths, Roberts has been instrumental in the growth of the commercial property team, working across a range of clients including the expanding national retail portfolio of premium kitchen chain, Harvey Jones Home Ltd.
Roberts also provided specialist legal advice to Broomfield South SILC School – a specialist SEN education provider – working with multiple stakeholders including Leeds City Council, the Children and Families Directorate and the Department for Education, to secure its new premises at the White Rose Business Park.
Senior associate, John Carter, who joined Raworths in 2013, has also been promoted to partner in recognition of the key role he has played in the team’s significant growth.
Carter has developed trusted relationships with clients as well as his team and the wider firm. He has provided legal advice throughout challenging times in the sector over the last decade.
He regularly advises landlords and tenants on commercial leases and other landlord and tenant matters, as well as acting on complex commercial property deals such as option agreements for large scale residential developments.
Key clients include Trustees of the Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust, whose portfolio includes the Thorp Arch Estate – a 385-acre commercial and industrial estate in Wetherby.
The promotions will enable the specialist unit, one of the largest dedicated Commercial Property teams in North Yorkshire, to continue to expand in 2025.
Matthew Hill, who heads Commercial Client Services, said: “This is much-deserved recognition for Heather and John’s valuable contributions to the firm and the roles they have played in cementing our reputation as leading commercial property specialists.
“Investing in our talent is a key growth strategy here at Raworths; our people are our greatest asset, and their commitment and hard work will always be rewarded at all levels.”
“This marks a new era for the commercial property team, and an exciting opportunity to grow our portfolio in both scale and geographic locations.”
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York-based learning and development specialist, Pro-Development (UK) Ltd, has made two new appointments to strengthen the company’s support for small and medium sized businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Joining as business development manager, Nicola Ibison brings over 20 years of management experience.
With a strong background in leadership and people development, she spent 20 years at Santander, leading and inspiring large teams to be at their best and deliver for themselves, the business, and their customers.
In her role at Pro-Development, she will focus on building relationships with business and HR leaders across Yorkshire, identifying opportunities to help them become stronger businesses by investing in employee engagement, consultancy support, leadership and skills development, team building and coaching and mentoring.
Sue O’Boyle joins as a learning and development consultant, bringing over 25 years’ experience in leadership and management development.
She is passionate about developing others and believes that everyone can be energised and productive at work given the right opportunities.
O’Boyle started work with an international role in industry before returning to York to take up a consulting role.
Joining Leeds Beckett University for 10 years, she then designed and delivered development programmes enabling colleagues to enhance their skills, engagement, and performance at work.
In her new role, she is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with local businesses by working with them to create learning and development experiences that engage their people and enable them to flourish at work.
Michelle Mook, Pro-Development founder and managing director said: “We are thrilled to welcome these two incredible new talents to the team.
“Both possess valuable, strategic insight and are passionate about helping workforces to thrive, which aligns with our belief that people development is the cornerstone to business success.
“I know Nicola and Sue will add significant value to our business and the impact of our work with clients.”
Ibison said: “I am thrilled to join Pro-Development to help more businesses across the region see the benefits of investing in their people.
“I wanted to join a business that was passionate about employee engagement and development and would help employees to feel great about what they do.
“I love what Pro-Development stands for and the values they bring alive every day.”
O’Boyle added: “Pro-Development’s values and mission resonate deeply with me but most importantly I am joining a group of like-minded people who are equally passionate about helping businesses develop their people and experience the transformative impact this can have.”
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Ward Hadaway, a Leeds-based law firm, has appointed six new team members as it continues to grow.
The appointments include an equity partner, two solicitors, two trainee solicitors and one paralegal across sectors including real estate, healthcare and commercial litigation.
Emma Digby, executive partner in Ward Hadaway’s Leeds office, said: “The expansion of our Leeds team is a clear reflection of our firm’s growing presence across Yorkshire and beyond.
“With new appointments across multiple roles, we’re enhancing our ability to provide high-quality, sector-specific legal services to our clients.
“Our new team members, representing a blend of emerging and experienced professionals, will play a crucial role in our wider growth strategy.
“Their expertise will enable us to continue offering agile, high-calibre legal support to our diverse client base, while maintaining the independence that is core to our identity.”
Based in the Leeds office, Laura Hill joins as a partner in the commercial litigation team.
She brings specialist expertise and experience in handling AI-related litigation, a complex and developing area that demonstrates our capacity to support clients facing technology-driven disputes.
Digby added: “Enhancing our teams to meet changing demands is also essential to our growth.
“For instance, as AI innovation accelerates, we are seeing increasing demand to support businesses in navigating the evolving legal challenges it presents.
“We help clients design and implement AI solutions within a fragmented regulatory framework, while closely monitoring developing legislation to ensure compliance.
“Our growing expertise in this space ensures clients can innovate confidently while managing emerging legal issues.”
Hill added: “As AI continues to transform industries, I’m eager to contribute to the firm’s efforts to help businesses manage the unique legal hurdles that arise in this space.
“With our strong track record in supporting tech companies, we’re well-placed to guide organisations through the complexities of AI, ensuring they can grow and innovate while managing risks and staying ahead of changing regulations.”
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York-headquartered housebuilder, Persimmon, has confirmed that Anand Aithal will join its Board as an independent non-executive director with effect from 1 January 2025.
He will also join the Remuneration and Nomination Committees from the date he joins the Board.
In addition, Nigel Mills has said he intends to step down from the Board and as senior independent director at Persimmon‘s Annual General Meeting on 1 May 2025, after nine years of service.
Annemarie Durbin, currently independent non-executive director and chair of the Remuneration Committee, will be appointed senior independent director with effect from 1 May 2025 after Mills retires.
Aithal has extensive board experience, currently holding non-executive director roles at Saga Plc, Polar Capital Holdings Plc and Nationwide Building Society.
He also serves on not-for-profit boards at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute for Government.
Until very recently, he was the lead non-executive for the Cabinet Office. He has over 30 years of experience in financial, business and professional services and co-founded Amba Research, an outsourced data analytics and research business.
Roger Devlin, chairman of Persimmon, said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Anand to Persimmon.
“Anand brings a wealth of experience across many sectors as a senior executive, entrepreneur and non-executive. I look forward to working with Anand once he joins next year.
“I would also like to warmly thank Nigel for his immense contribution to Persimmon.
“Nigel has provided valuable and wise counsel during his tenure, including as acting chairman before my appointment.
“On behalf of the Board I wish Nigel the very best for the future. I am pleased that Annemarie has agreed to take the role of senior independent director once Nigel leaves after the AGM.”
Aithal said: “I am happy to join Persimmon having followed their recent progress closely. With housing at the heart of the new government‘s agenda I look forward to working with the team to continue to drive further operational improvement and secure the Company‘s ambitious growth plans.”
Mills said: “It has been a pleasure to support the Board and Persimmon for nearly a decade.
“It has been especially satisfying to be associated with the cultural transformation across the business which has delivered significantly improved build quality and customer care.
“I have every confidence in the company‘s continued success and extend my best wishes to the team for the future.”
