LAW firm Ward Hadaway has appointed SIMON PRIESTLEY as an associate on its property and healthcare teams.

He will lead the existing teams on all property healthcare matters.

Mr Priestley said: "I have spent a number of years working as a property lawyer and have developed my area of expertise to offer the healthcare sector exactly what it needs. With the increasing emergence of the need for expert legal advice for healthcare property matters across the spectrum, including GP developments and associated residential accommodation schemes, I am looking forward to helping the healthcare community across the North-East with their property needs."

Former University of Northumbria student Mr Priestley trained in Newcastle before going to Leeds, where he worked for law firm Beechcroft Wansborough, developing its property healthcare expertise during the six years he was there.