Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm promotes solicitor to senior associate

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Harrogate law firm has promoted one of its solicitors to senior associate.

Brian Nuttney has been awarded the promotion at McCormicks Solicitors.

Mr Nuttney works in the crime and fraud department and appears regularly in the magistrates’ courts and police stations across North Yorkshire and further afield.

Partner Peter Minnikin, head of the department, said: 

“Brian is an important part of what is a very busy team – as illustrated by our recent appointments of two new lawyers – and his promotion is well deserved.”

Prior to his career in law, Mr Nuttney was a successful journalist and worked as deputy editor for a number of regional newspapers.

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Linley and Simpson parent company acquires property agency

The parent company of Harrogate estate agent Linley and Simpson has acquired an online property agency.

Lomond Group has bought the multi-regional agent Property Hub Lets and its 700 properties across Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

The management of the properties will now be transferred over to high street branches, including Linley and Simpson.

Will Linley, co-founder of Linley and Simpson and managing director of the Lomond Group, said: 

“This is the first time we have acquired an agency that operated exclusively online, and are thrilled with the high-quality portfolio we have inherited.

“It represents a perfect synergy for us as we already have a strong presence across the majority of major cities that Property Hub Lets covers. We now look forward to transferring all these properties smoothly and speedily into a number of our local branches.

“This deal is our first multi-regional one in England – and a model we are looking to mirror in future acquisitions.

“It underlines the unique proposition of Linley and Simpson and the Lomond Group, and the strength of our network of regional brands where we are able to link together across huge swathes of the country to accommodate a diverse geographical portfolio. The deal also extends our portfolio reach into Liverpool for the first time.”

Knaresborough IT company expands

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Integral IT in Knaresborough has accelerated its growth strategy in cyber security and managed IT services by acquiring Digital Media Infrastructure.

Under the terms of the deal, two engineers Tom Roberts and Andrew Johnson have been welcomed into the 10-strong Integral IT support team along with their clients who between them represent 350 clients including accountants, solicitors, estate agents and recruiters.

The acquisition is Integral IT’s first since the company moved to larger premises in the heart of Knaresborough’s, Manse Lane and since Founder Jonathan Edwards started the business back in 2004.

Jonathan Edwards, Integral IT’’s founder said:

“I’m delighted to welcome the team and its clients to the Integral IT team. Nicholas Sumner and his team have done a phenomenal job for their clients since 2006, building a business of excellence that perfectly aligns with our own values.”

Andrew Johnson, support manager at DMI commented:

“It was important for Tom and I to partner with an organisation that shared our core values of putting the client’s needs at the centre of everything we do. It was clear from our first meeting this carried over to Integral IT’s ethos and core values. We will be able to strengthen our service proposition, improve response times to customers and to be a beneficial partner to our clients”

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McCormicks expands crime department

Harrogate Law firm McCormicks Solicitors has added additional expertise to its expanding Crime and Fraud department with two new faces.

Mark Fowler is a solicitor specialising in serious fraud, particularly tax fraud, and the proceeds of crime work connected to such cases.

Mr Fowler has been dealing with serious VAT fraud cases since the early 1990’s, building extensive knowledge and expertise on the subject. He has experience of cases of VAT fraud such as precious metals, mobile telephones, computer chips, scrap metal and the film industry.

Ismael Uddin is a qualified Barrister and police station representative with more than 24 years’ experience in criminal and regulatory law.

Mr Uddin has been involved in prosecuting and defending cases for the Government, public and private sector organisations, such as the Crown Prosecution Service, HMRC, and Environment Agency, but now exclusively defends in all cases.

His experience means he is familiar with Government procedures from the Crown Prosecution Service and cases involving the various Government bodies.

 

Mark Fowler (L) and Ismael Uddin (R).

McCormicks keeps Legal Aid contract

McCormicks keep legal aid contract

McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate have retained their contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide legal services to provide duty solicitors.

Duty solicitors represent those who need a solicitor but can not afford one themselves, both in court, and when being interviewed by police.

Legal Aid Agency said clients gave “very positive” feedback on their service.

Head of McCormicks’ Crime and Fraud department Peter Minnikin.

Peter Minnikin said:

“The comments are a testimonial to the hard work and dedication of my colleagues. We think it is incredibly important to continue with this type of work that supports people at some of the most difficult times of their lives. The recent independent reports show that we continue to deal with this work to a very high standard.”

Aon sponsors Harrogate Town AFC Ladies

As part of the #HerGameToo moment, a campaign to eradicate sexism in football and promote women in sport, Aon PLC have sponsored Harrogate Town’s women’s team.

James Fell, head of Aon’s Leeds, Tingley and Harrogate offices said:

When the opportunity arose to sponsor Harrogate Town AFC Ladies team, we jumped at the chance as it is important that women’s football receives the same investment as men’s football.

Fostering an inclusive and diverse culture is part of Aon’s culture and helps drive the best outcomes for our colleagues, clients, firm and the communities in which we work. The sponsorship of Harrogate Town AFC Ladies team aligns with this commitment and we believe it will benefit both organisations as well as the local community.

Sarah Barry, CEO of Harrogate Town AFC, said:

“We are delighted with our partnership with Aon and their decision to extend their commitment to the club by becoming our Ladies Teams official sponsor. Aon’s values for inclusivity mutually align with our own and there has never been a more exciting time to be involved in women and girls’ football. It’s a privilege to be working with a forward-thinking organisation of Aon’s calibre, who epitomises the same values as ourselves, this will really help accelerate the growth in the Harrogate District and beyond”.

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Harrogate’s Glawning wins best Micro-Business in FSB Awards 

Glawning Ltd saw off the competition to take home Micro Business of the year Award in FSBs Yorkshire & The Humber business awards.

Glawning have attracted media attention for their camping awnings and accessories, and the owners have even participated in the TV show Carry on Glamping with Jonny Vegas.

They will take their victory to Glasgow in May to go up against other regional winners in an event hosted by Claire Blading and JJ Chalmers.

Changes at top of Harrogate law firm after FA appointment

Harrogate law firm McCormicks has named a new managing partner after its founder took on the role of chairman at the Football Association.

Stephen Hopwood, a specialist in family law, has succeeded Peter McCormick, who will remain as a senior partner.

The FA named Peter McCormick as its interim chairman after Greg Clarke, who described black players as “coloured”, stepped down from the role.

McCormicks, which is based on East Parade, describes itself as a ‘fearless law firm with a fearless reputation’.

Peter McCormick

Mr McCormick said:

“As a result of both the covid lockdown and of my increased commitments since I was appointed interim chairman of the FA in November, Stephen has taken a lot of responsibility for the day-to-day management of the business so this is a logical transition of duties for the future.

“I remain senior partner and will continue to play a very active role in the business of the firm, alongside my commitments to the Premier League and the FA.”

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Mr Hopwood, who joined the practice in 2013, said:

“I am delighted to be expanding my role with the practice and look forward to working even more closely with the great team we have here to ensure we continue to offer the best possible service to our clients.”

Harrogate helicopter company expands

A Harrogate helicopter company has acquired another firm in a deal that will give it access to markets in London and the south-east.

The Helicopter Company, which was established in 2008, provides private helicopter charter services.

Its acquisition of Hampshire-based Atlas Helicopters includes a medical evacuation contract for the Isle of Man TT and other motorcycle races on the island.

The Helicopter Company already has bases in Scotland and the East Midlands as well as North Yorkshire.

Jason Schofield bought the interests of the other shareholders in 2016.

McCormicks Solicitors, of Harrogate, advised on the acquisition. Sagars advised on corporate finance.

Mr Schofield said:

“We are very pleased to have acquired Atlas, which enables us to grow our business in the south of England.”

James Towler, head of corporate and commercial at McCormicks, said:

“We were delighted to work with the Schofield family, with whom we have a long relationship, and it is great to have secured this acquisition which will allow them to grow their business and target the market in and around London from Atlas’s base in the south of England.

The Helicopter Company offers private charter for business and leisure, as well as aircraft management and a helicopter purchase service.

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Harrogate solicitor succeeds Greg Clarke as chair of Football Association

Peter McCormick, a senior partner of Harrogate law firm McCormicks Solicitors, has been appointed interim chairman of the Football Association.

The news was announced yesterday following the sudden resignation of Greg Clarke for describing black players as “coloured” and other comments he made about gay and female players.

The Football Association, which was formed in 1863, is the governing body of football in England and Wales.

A Leeds United fan, Mr McCormick is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment lawyers.

He is now the first person to have been chairman of both the Premier League and the FA.

McCormicks Solicitors, which is based on East Parade, describes itself as a ‘fearless law firm with a fearless reputation’.

Mr McCormick, who was awarded an OBE for services to charity in 2000, was elected vice-chairman of the FA in 2017.

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An FA statement yesterday said:

“Peter McCormick will step into the role as interim FA chairman with immediate effect and the FA board will begin the process of identifying and appointing a new chair in due course.

“We would also like to reaffirm that as an organisation, we are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to promote diversity, address inequality, and tackle all forms of discrimination in the game.”

Clarke said in a statement:

“I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include.