Accountancy and business advisory firm Azets has expanded its northern operations with a partner appointment in Manchester alongside 23 trainee recruits across Yorkshire. David Tomlinson joins the Manchester corporate finance practice as partner within transaction services, following 17 years at PwC including a three-year secondment in Australia. He advises multinationals, private equity houses, and privately owned businesses on cross-border deals and diligence.

Across Yorkshire, the firm has inducted 23 graduates and school leavers across its Leeds, York, and Bradford offices. The intake includes 13 trainees in audit, six in accounts and business advisory services, two in tax, and two in technical accounting.

Lee Humble, UK head of corporate finance at Azets, said: “Our team has an ever-increasing reach and is now receiving a growing number of instructions from overseas buyers - something David’s international experience will assist with.”

Claire Needham, regional managing director for Yorkshire and the North East, added: “Nurturing the next generation of talent with on-the-job training, mentoring and opportunities to gain professional qualifications and hands-on experience is key to the future of Azets and the continued success our clients.”



YFM Equity Partners has named Oliver McRae as investment director within its Yorkshire team, based at the private equity firm's Leeds office. Bringing more than 15 years of corporate development, advisory, and investment experience, Mr McRae will focus on deal origination and deployment across the North of England. He arrives from Leeds-based Traditum Private Equity, where he directed small-cap investments across industrials, healthcare, technology, and consumer markets. His earlier career includes corporate finance and transaction roles at Deloitte, KPMG, Isara Capital, and Eight Fifty Food Group, where he oversaw cross-border mergers, acquisitions, and integration strategies.

Neil Inskip, partner and head of new investments for YFM in the North, said: “The North continues to be one of the most exciting regions in the UK for investment, and we are pleased to welcome Oli to our Leeds team. He has a strong understanding of the regional market and what management teams need from an investment partner.”

Mr McRae added: “I’m excited by the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs, management teams and advisers to support businesses across Yorkshire and the North through critical stages of their growth and development."



Technology managed service provider Connectus Business Solutions has added four staff across its commercial and technical departments in northern England and North Wales.

Ben Lee joins the client success division based in Wrexham, overseeing enterprise account management throughout Cheshire, Shropshire, and North Wales.

The firm has also bolstered its IT engineering capacity through apprentice programmes. Morgan Simmonds joins the engineering arm on a digital technologies degree apprenticeship delivered in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. Ryan Kennedy and Todor Todorov have been appointed as first-line support apprentices at the company’s Doncaster and Salford operations respectively, following the internal promotion of three helpdesk technicians.

Pip Shelton, operations director at Connectus, which provides infrastructure, connectivity, and cyber-security services, said: "Creating opportunities for new talent while enabling existing colleagues to progress their careers is a really important part of how we want to grow the business. We are passionate about putting our customers at the heart of everything we do and delivering world-class service to more than 750 businesses. Our talented team is absolutely key to that commitment."



Specialist lender Aldermore has appointed James Evans as business development manager within its commercial real estate team to oversee lending across the North of England. Mr Evans will structure development finance and debt facilities for regional property investors and developers. He brings more than two decades of financial services experience, joining from alternative lender Nexa Finance. He previously held senior development lending roles at StreamBank and Assetz Capital, following 17 years at Santander where he managed corporate relationships across the North West property market.

Azfar Rizvi, commercial director for corporate and commercial lending at Aldermore, said: "James brings a wealth of experience across both traditional banking and specialist property finance, along with a strong understanding of the market in the North of England. His appointment further strengthens our Commercial Real Estate team and enhances the support we provide to brokers and customers across the region."

Mr Evans added: “With Aldermore continuing to invest in its Property Development proposition, it’s an exciting time to join the business. I'm looking forward to working with brokers and customers across the North, building lasting relationships and helping bring ambitious property projects to life.”



Global legal business DWF has hired partner Anthony Baker to its major injury and casualty practice in Leeds, accompanied by directors Sara Lowther, Ciaran Garnett, Carl McGuire, and Gavin McClenaghan. Mr Baker arrives from DAC Beachcroft with more than 30 years’ experience defending high-value claims, multi-jurisdictional casualty disputes, and regulatory prosecutions for commercial insurers.

A former president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, he is accompanied by four sector specialists: Ms Lowther, who acts on catastrophic injury and fatal accident claims; Mr Garnett, who advises on corporate risk in leisure and construction; Mr McGuire, specialising in workplace liability, stress, and coverage disputes; and Mr McClenaghan, who handles industrial and logistics liability claims.

Claire Bowler, head of major injury and casualty at DWF, said: "Anthony's arrival, together with four highly experienced directors, reflects the continued growth and success of our Major Injury and Casualty practice and our commitment to attracting market-leading talent."

Mr Baker said: "DWF has a strong reputation in the market and an ambitious approach to growth, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to build on that momentum."



Yorkshire law firm Switalskis has appointed Laura Ornsby as a solicitor in its newly established Grimsby branch, strengthening its regional childcare and family law practice. Ms Ornsby qualified through a training contract with North East Lincolnshire Council and joins the firm to represent parents, children, and guardians across public childcare proceedings and domestic abuse interventions. In her new role, she will also support the firm's pro bono legal clinics delivered in partnership with Grimsby Women's Aid, which provide local families with free legal aid assessments and representation advice.

Jennifer Heckingbottom, director and childcare solicitor at Switalskis, said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our presence into Grimsby and to be developing our specialist child care department within the local community. Laura is a real asset to Switalskis’ growth in the area. Her strong connections to Grimsby together with her experience of working in this area of law and the local authority will bring valuable local knowledge and expertise to our team.”

Ms Ornsby said: “I’m looking forward to being able to help people in Grimsby and the surrounding region, particularly children and domestic abuse victims.”