Changes at Womble Bond Dickinson, BDO, EMG and JPC

Paul secured a total of £20k through the Start Up Loans programme via the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF). JPC Specialist Motorsports was created to help raise vital funds for JPC Community Farm by offering passenger ride experiences and car events.

Paul used his loan to support the growth of the business, ensuring the team could raise even more money for JPC Community Farm. Between himself and his wife Julie, they have three businesses, all of which have received Start Up Loan support.

JPC Specialist Motorsports and JPC Community Farm are named after Paul and Julie’s son, James Paul Connaughton. James was born in 2000 severely disabled and is non-verbal.

He became socially aware by about 2012 and when Paul was watching Formula One on television, they noticed it was the first time James had paid attention to anything.

Paul said: “After receiving Start Up Loans for all three of our businesses, it is a real honour to have been chosen to be the North East Ambassador for the British Business Bank. JPC Specialist Motorsports raises vital funds to ensure we can continue to offer the support we provide to disabled adults through JPC Community Farm.

“My business wouldn’t be where it is today without the support from the Start Up Loans programme, and I want other budding entrepreneurs to know they can turn to the British Business Bank for support right from the very beginning.”

Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said: “Access to finance is crucial for SMEs to succeed, and the startup loan scheme is a lightning rod to that success.

“We know that when small businesses are given the tools to thrive, it leads to growth, more jobs and helps to boost the whole economy.”

Shaun Fooy, Senior Network Manager for the North East of England at the British Business Bank said: “Paul embodies the determination and drive that is required of a business owner in the current climate.

“I now that he will inspire others to follow their dream of becoming a business owner and I am very much looking forward to working with Paul and helping to share his story.”

BDO

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has announced the promotion of 74 people in Yorkshire, including two promotions to partner.

The new partners in the firm’s Leeds office are Andrew Souyave and Nick Millward. Nationwide, BDO has promoted over 2,400 of its people, including 36 new partners. The promotions are effective from 1st November.

As BDO’s national lead for Digital Transformation, new digital partner Andrew Souyave supports clients in implementing large-scale, business-led IT changes.

Since joining BDO in 2021, he has been instrumental in the rapid growth of the firm’s Digital Transformation services, overseeing successful projects such as supporting the major transformation of a £650 million healthcare business and growing the team’s headcount from zero to 20.

New tax partner Nick Millward, meanwhile, will be leading BDO’s Transaction Tax team for Yorkshire and the North East, focusing on tax due diligence and tax structuring advice.

He has a depth of experience in transactions across a range of sectors, managing the tax affairs of owner-managed and private equity-backed companies.

EMG

EMG Solicitors, who operate from offices in Durham, Newcastle, Darlington, Penrith and Manchester have welcomed Deborah Jude, a new Director within the Court of Protection (COP) and Private Client team.

As Panel Deputy for the Court of Protection, Deborah’s appointment extends EMG’s specialism further in supporting those without capacity, with the company becoming one of only a limited number of law firms in the country to offer the panel deputyship service.

Deborah who is also a top tier Legal 500 ranked lawyer, will work across EMG’s offices, servicing clients across the UK and taking on a hybrid position that utilises her COP specialism alongside her expertise in private client including, Wills, trusts and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), where she will work alongside Director, Samantha Edward.

Joining Deborah at EMG Solicitors is Joanne Shearer, Legal Secretary, and Lauren Gray, Trainee Legal Executive.

Deborah said: “It’s a real privilege to be part of the EMG team. They have a fantastic reputation in the market, not least for their COP work, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to join them. COP is an area that I find incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to supporting them further in this field, alongside my private client work.

“I was also equally attracted by the firm’s culture, values and commitment to both their clients and people. The work they do in the local community alongside their charitable work is very impressive.

“The opportunity to take on a hybrid role at EMG is very exciting, as it offers variety in the work I deliver, but most importantly the scope to fully utilise my key skills and take advantage of the opportunities at EMG. I’m also really looking forward to working alongside the many talented colleagues here.”

Jemma Morland, Director and Head of Court of Protection Property and Affairs at EMG Solicitors said: “I am delighted to welcome Deborah, Joanne and Lauren to EMG. Deborah’s expertise in panel deputyship work is a huge asset to EMG, extending our COP specialism further. There are very few firms out there that provide this service, so we are proud to be able to say we offer a 360-degree service in COP. I would like to wish our new colleagues the very best in their new roles.”

Womble Bond Dickinson

International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson has strengthened its UK-wide real estate practice with the appointment of Newcastle-based partner Mark Tait.

Joining from DWF, Mark specialises in commercial Real Estate work, including investment, development, and asset management transactions.

Some of Mark’s recent work includes the development and letting of retail parks in Prudhoe, Shiremoor, and Wynyard, and industrial developments on the Team Valley Trading Estate and Tyne Tunnel Trading estates.

Regarded as a ‘key name’ in the Legal 500 Real Estate North rankings for commercial property in Newcastle, Mark acts for a diverse client base primarily based within the North East of England, and brings to the firm almost 20 years’ experience in the real estate sector.

He joins the firm after more than a decade at DWF, having also previously worked at Eversheds. Mark’s appointment comes hot on the heels of fellow real estate partner Adam Heather’s arrival, who also joined the firm from DWF in July.

Mark said: “I am thrilled to join the Womble Bond Dickinson real estate team. Their client base, and reputation in the real estate sector, is impressive.

“I am eager to assist growing the practice further, and to build on the excellent client service and sector knowledge we provide to clients both locally, and nationwide.”

John Ralph, partner, and head of WBD’s North East commercial real estate team and its UK real estate sector offering, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to Womble Bond Dickinson. We look forward to working with Mark in driving ongoing growth of our real estate sector practice within the North East and beyond.

“Mark’s extensive real estate experience, coupled with his dedication to exceptional client service, are a welcome addition to our fast growing team.”