We love it when businesses send us their good news and here’s our latest good news round-up, kindly sponsored by PALADIN. Awards, expansion, new contracts or new appointments, if you’ve got some good news you want to share please email the editor, Martin Shaw, on martin@huddersfieldhub.co.uk.
Legal Studio, a law firm with a vision of creating a better work life balance for lawyers, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the appointment of a Huddersfield solicitor and former partner of Ramsdens Solicitors, Richard Dean.
Richard brings extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity investments, further strengthening Legal Studio’s leadership.
In addition to his new role, Richard played a key part in managing Legal Studio’s latest acquisition of Leeds-based GC Business Lawyers, a significant move that expanded the firm’s corporate law offering and enhanced its services to clients across the region.
The latest news marks a milestone in Legal Studio’s decade long journey of transforming the legal industry. With a workplace culture centred on collaboration, support and well-being, the firm has created an environment where both lawyers and clients thrive.
Legal Studio has grown organically from a founding team of one, with chairman Matt Dowell, to a group of 34 consultant solicitors.
Building on the successful acquisition of Kirkburton’s Crew Property Law further, the latest addition strengthens Legal Studio’s corporate expertise and increases the firm’s regional presence.
With a unique approach focused on the wellbeing of both lawyers and clients, flexibility and high-quality service, the firm has transformed traditional legal practice. It provides a modern alternative that allows lawyers to achieve both personal and professional fulfilment.
The acquisition of GC Business Lawyers brings senior corporate solicitor Gary Caplan into Legal Studio’s corporate team.
Gary’s expertise in corporate and commercial property law strengthens the firm’s ability to handle complex transactions, while Legal Studio’s infrastructure will enable him to focus on delivering exceptional service to his clients.
“I’m thrilled to join Legal Studio, where I can continue to serve my clients while benefitting from the comprehensive support the firm provides,” said Gary.
“By Legal Studio taking care of regulatory compliance, insurance and administrative tasks, I can dedicate more time to client work and expand my services.”
The addition of Gary complements the recent appointments of Richard and Clare Young as directors, further enhancing Legal Studio’s strength in corporate and commercial law.
Clare Young specialises in wills, trusts and probate, with a focus on inheritance tax planning and estate administration.
Richard said: “Gary’s experience in corporate law is a perfect fit for our team. His ability to handle complex transactions will enhance our service offering, and we’re excited to collaborate as Legal Studio continues to grow.”
Legal Studio has earned a reputation for offering an alternative to traditional law firms.
Ian McCann, CEO of Legal Studio, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the Legal Studio family as we celebrate 10 years of redefining legal practice.
“This acquisition strengthens our corporate offering at a time when demand for high-quality corporate solicitors is growing.”
As the firm continues to expand, it remains dedicated to providing a supportive environment where lawyers enjoy work while delivering client focused legal advice.
Ian added: “We believe that happy lawyers are more effective lawyers. Our success is rooted in that belief and driven by the exceptional people at Legal Studio.
“We’re excited for the future as we continue our growth while staying true to our founding principles.”
The firm has ambitious plans for further growth, both in the number of lawyers and through additional acquisitions. For more information, email hello@legalstudio.co.uk
Becky Dash, CEO of the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, has been announced as one of three recipients of a bursary from the Theatres Trust.
The Ruth Eastwood Bursary is awarded to theatre leaders in their first senior role in regional theatre.
Originally the scheme had intended to award a bursary to one theatre leader, but given the quality of the applications received, Theatres Trust decided to expand it to three including Becky.
The others are Edward Cole, artistic and executive director at the Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle, and Chelsey Gillard, artistic director and deputy CEO at Torch Theatre, Milford Haven.
Jon Morgan, director at the Theatres Trust, said: “We were really impressed by the quality and passion of the applications by new and emerging theatre leaders across the UK.
“The commitment to regional theatre, local collaboration and supporting colleagues demonstrated by our three winners and indeed all the applicants gives us hope for the future of regional theatres.”
YES Energy Solutions, a community interest company dedicated to alleviating fuel poverty, enjoyed an incredible night of wins and recognition at the finals of the National Energy Efficiency Awards hosted in Birmingham.
The team at Greetland-based YES scooped trophies in five out of the six awards they were nominated for, plus a special commendation in the remaining category.
The team won 1st place for Funding Provider of the Year, in recognition of its management of energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable householders as part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) fund.
In addition, YES CEO Duncan McCombie won the prestigious National Energy Efficiency Champion of the Year for his passion and dedication to improve the lives of householders across Great Britain struggling to afford their energy costs.
Duncan said: “I am delighted for the team at YES and humbled by my own award – so thank you. We are an amazing community business, and receiving recognition in every one of our categories is incredible.
“At YES it isn’t about personal glory, we see the huge value in collaborating with others across the sector to achieve the best outcomes for families who are living in cold homes and need our help.”
The 2nd place wins were in the Vulnerable Customer Support category for YES’s free advice service, and Project Management Company category for the various free energy efficiency funding schemes YES delivers on behalf of local authorities. The team also received a Special Commendation for the National Multi-Measure Project with North Yorkshire Council.
In a highly competitive field of more than 20 nominations, YES’s operations director Katie Baker was runner up for Business Development Director of the Year for her contribution to the incredible growth of the company.
Duncan added: “The growth of YES has been phenomenal – which means we’re helping more and more residents to lift them out of fuel poverty, while at the same time reducing their CO2 emissions.
“I’m grateful for the recognition, and so proud of the YES team. Above all, I’m proudest of the award for Funding Provider of the Year, it’s crucial that YES can access government funding to transform the lives of people living in cold homes.
“We work with an amazing network of installers to deliver these home improvements, and to be recognised by our peers is a great feeling.”
Dedicated teams at YES work to distribute millions of pounds of central and local government funding each year – securing YES’s win for Funding Provider of the Year.
YES also established a free Advice Line just 18 months ago to offer impartial, wrap-around support to households across England, Scotland and Wales to help them with energy saving advice and access to free insulation funding schemes.
Commercial director Alex Wilkes said: “To be recognised for our Vulnerable Customer Support is a fantastic outcome for the whole of YES.
“We have a brilliant team of energy experts who are delivering empathetic support every day. Last year alone we helped more than 11,000 residents to save £4.5 million from their annual energy costs, which has a life-changing impact for people who are finding the cost-of-living crisis especially challenging.”
International designer and manufacturer of commercial fabrics, Camira has innovated a new recycled wool fabric, using textile-to-textile recycled material as well as plant-based renewable content.
Launching at international trade fair Orgatec in Cologne, Germany, ReSKU 2.0 is a recreation of Camira’s original recycled wool fabric, ReSKU, which was made from discarded army jumpers and launched at the same event more than 25 years ago.
Commenting on the new product launch, Lynne Kingdon, head of creative at Mirfield-based Camira, said: “ReSKU 2.0 is a hugely significant new product for Camira during our 50th anniversary year.
“This fabric demonstrates the limitless potential of textile waste and brings a new lease of life to wool, enabling a cherished natural fibre to be enjoyed anew, in hospitality, commercial and residential settings.
“Globally, an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste is created each year, ReSKU 2.0 signals our commitment to making changes in this industry and just how important it is that we take action.”
Schofield Sweeney’s Class of 2024 with Liam Murphy, Caprice Coulson, Rosie Bamforth, Kieran Berry, & Waqar Munir
Sunday Times Best Places to Work firm, Schofield Sweeney, has announced that this year’s cohort of trainee solicitors and solicitor apprentices have successfully completed their training and have chosen to continue their legal careers with the firm, which is a 100% retention rate.
Neil Towse, HR director, said: “Their dedication, hard work and talent have earned them qualification, and we are proud to retain them as valued members of our growing team. This milestone reflects our commitment to nurturing future legal professionals, and we look forward to their continued contributions to our clients and the firm’s success.”
Liam Murphy has qualified as a solicitor in the corporate team, he is also a mentor for the University of Huddersfield offering support and guidance to law students for their future careers.
Caprice Coulson joined Schofield Sweeney in 2018 as the firm’s second solicitor apprentice. After working in their dispute resolution and commercial teams, she joins the latter as a newly qualified solicitor.
Karen Crutchley, commercial partner, said: “Having spent the last two and a half years of her apprenticeship in the commercial department, Caprice has become an integral part of the team. I’m delighted she has chosen to qualify with us, with the strong sense of client service that she brings.”
Waqar Munir has recently qualified as a solicitor after training with the firm, he provides advice and expertise on a range of private wealth, succession and tax planning matters.
Rosie Bamforth is qualifying into the real estate team. She will provide advice and expertise on a range of commercial property matters.
Partner Manjit Virdee said: “We’re delighted that Rosie has joined the real estate team. During her training she excelled, and we are looking forward to her progression to becoming an excellent real estate solicitor.”
Kieran Berry has qualified into the firm’s private wealth and succession team; he will continue advising on a range of private wealth and transactional tax matters.
To find out more about Schofield Sweeney’s routes into law, and what it is like to work with the firm, visit – https://www.schofieldsweeney.co.uk/careers/
