Law firm Brabners, property finance specialist Bridging Finance Solutions and Liverpool architects Studio RBA have all unveiled new senior hires

Liverpool law firm Brabners has appointed a new partner to its insolvency and restructuring practice.

Jennifer Lockhart, who is recognised by the Legal 500 as a ‘Next Generation Partner’, joins from Hillyer McKeown. She has 16 years’ experience providing legal advice to businesses, individuals and insolvency industry professionals.

Ms Lockhart specialises in insolvency matters and has advised on several complex cases involving director misfeasance, fraudulent trading and payment of unlawful dividends. Her appointment further strengthens Brabners’ insolvency and restructuring offering.

Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, said: “Jennifer is a hugely experienced lawyer and will bring crucial expertise and specialisms to our insolvency and restructuring team.

“COVID-19 has created major challenges for businesses to remain viable. With the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme coming to a close this autumn and Government-backed emergency loans due for repayment next spring, those challenges are only set to increase for many.”

Ms  Lockhart added: “No company wants to think about insolvency or restructuring but the harsh reality of the current economic situation means that more and more are having to consider which parts of their business are best-placed to help them succeed in the future.”

Merseyside property finance specialist Bridging Finance Solutions (BFS) has announced the appointment of Damian Davies as business development manager in the North West.

Mr Davies joins the team with a varied background in the industry having worked with RBS for almost 20 years where he was named, ‘Top Business Relations Manager’. He has also worked as an independent broker.

He said: “I’ve worked within the property finance market for over 30 years under several different roles, giving me wide ranging experience in multiple areas, all of which is relevant to this new position. While this move presents a fresh challenge, its one I’m extremely excited and confident about.”

John Hardman, head of sales at Wallasey-based BFS, added: “We believe Damian to be the perfect fit for our team with a strong and clear understanding of the market place and bridging in particular.”

Ian Turner has converted his role from consultant to the full-time head of the technical team at Liverpool architects Studio RBA as the practice expands to deal with its growing workload.

The appointment follows an eleven-month consultancy period at the firm, before which Mr Turner enjoyed long spells at Chorley-based Gilling Dod and Liverpool-based practice K2.

Ian is a master technician and landing him is akin to Everton signing Messi,” said Studio RBA managing director Kenny McNaughton. “His technical abilities, knowledge and proficiency have few peers and if there was a ballon d’or for construction drawings Ian’s named would be etched permanently on it.”

Mr Turner’s role includes acting as mentor for the technical team. He said: “We’re exceptionally busy and building a really solid team will strengthen the practice and ensure we support efficiently the other professionals with whom we work, such as the structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers.”