We attribute our growth and success to being passionate about what we do. We have the expertise and capability to deliver what we promise a high

Transcription

1 Autumn/Winter Review 2017

2 We attribute our growth and success to being passionate about what we do. We have the expertise and capability to deliver what we promise a high quality, efficient, effective and personal service.

3 Welcome to Thursfields Autumn/Winter Review 2017 Since our last review we have been further nominated as finalists for 3 prestigious awards and 2 of our team have been named individually as finalists in national and regional awards. We are proud finalists in the Black Country Chamber High Growth Business of the Year Award, the Birmingham Post Business Award for Innovation in Professional Services and the Family Law Award for Regional Firm of the Year Midlands. Hollie Styles is a finalist for the Family Law Chartered Legal Executive of the Year award and Michael Hope is up for the Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year award. We have the entrepreneurial passion of a start-up business which when combined with the quality reputation of our long-established practice is proving a winning formula. Striving to deliver excellence in our service is key to what we do, and it is nice to gain recognition for all the commitment, dedication and hardwork of staff. Nick O Hara Managing Director

4 Racing to the top with Thursfields Jane Rudge Senior Associate Solicitor Corporate & Commercial Jane Rudge has advised Formula 2 star driver Jordan King on his new contract with a leading Londonbased sports agency. King is the son of former Sainsbury s boss Justin King. He began karting in 2005 and graduated to singleseater racing in He now drives for MP Motorsport in F2. Jane said: Jordan is an excellent sportsman and I m so pleased to be able to help him get the best advice as his career develops. MB Partners is a well-respected and exciting sports management company and we were really pleased to advise Jordan on the details of his new contract with them. I m sure this will help his career, and we ll certainly be watching his progress here at Thursfields. Jordan King said: The next stage of my career is a really important one for me and I am really grateful for the sound advice from Jane Rudge at Thursfields. MB Partners has a proven record in supporting drivers through to the very top tiers of motorsport and I am excited about what we can achieve together in the years ahead. Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning. Denis Waitley

5 Championing Dementia Awareness Tracy Ashby Senior Associate Solicitor Wills & Estates The Solihull office recently joined forces with other local businesses to improve the lives of those living with dementia. Dementia Action Alliance Solihull aims to bring together leading organisations to create best practices and improve social attitudes towards dementia. Tracy Ashby commented: By supporting our local community and being involved with such a positive organisation we are able to take an active role in providing advice and support to those affected by dementia. The worry of a loved one going into care can be made worse when there are concerns about the loss of a home, or the choice of care provider. Thursfields Wills and Estates team advises private individuals, partnerships and businesses, and can also offer specialist advice to those in the farming community when the sale of land could mean the end to a family partnership. Our care specialist Tracy Ashby has many years of experience and can help you to navigate the complex care funding rules so that you or your family do not pay more than you are obliged to contribute. Tracy is also able to advise you on the responsibilities of the NHS and the Local Authority, should you be encountering difficulties. Over recent years Tracy has been able to obtain substantial refunds of overpaid care fees on behalf of her clients. Thinking will not overcome fear but action will. W. Clement Stone

6 Management Buy-Out for local manufacturer Tim Edwards Senior Associate Solicitor Corporate & Commercial A Birmingham rubber and plastics manufacturer has been bought by its management in a seven-figure deal. Thursfields Birmingham team, led by Tim Edwards, advised the buyers in connection with the corporate, property and employment aspects of the transaction. C.B. Frost & Co was formed in 1921 and employs more than 20 people. The business designs and manufactures bespoke products for a wide range of industries including rail, construction, energy, automotive, military defence and medical. The buyout is expected to pave the way for further growth and development for C.B. Frost and its new management led by Paul Kennedy and Mark Jones. Mr Kennedy said: We have been more than happy with the advice we received from Thursfields and felt confident that we were in capable hands. Tim Edwards said: It was a real pleasure supporting Paul and Mark in helping them to achieve their ambitions with this deal. The timescales were challenging, but my multi-disciplinary team pulled out all the stops to get everything done on time. Growth is the result of forces working together. James Cash Penney

7 Raising a toast to family vineyard venture Thursfields raised a glass to toast the success of an intrepid couple who elected for a lifestyle change and bought an established Worcestershire vineyard. Tim and Bev Haywood have purchased the land and business of Astley Vineyard in Stourport-on- Severn. Classed as a boutique producer with just under five acres under vine, Astley has concentrated on white wines; the business also produces a sparkling wine made from its unique 40-year-old Kerner vine, and a Late Harvest wine. Tim Haywood, a recently retired financial director, said: The purchase of Astley Vineyard was a brave step for my family. We are not from an agricultural background so we needed some professional and local advice to make sure the transaction went smoothly. The team at Thursfields, led by Katie Williams, were most supportive, and we had complete confidence in them all the way through the legal process. He added: We have ambitious plans for the future of Astley Vineyard- there is a lot of potential for developing the vineyard which has been producing award-winning wine for over 40 years. We know Thursfields will be there for us on our exciting adventure. Katie Williams Associate Solicitor Commercial Property

8 Supporting the Deaf Community David Emery-Jones Associate Solicitor, Wills & Estates We are delighted to be working with Thursfields, who share important information about making a will with our deaf clients. As a local charity, we are pleased to be working with a local firm who understand the needs of deaf people and are making legal information accessible to all. Sarah Hindley, Fundraising Manager, Deaf Direct Thursfields has installed facilities for deaf and hard of hearing clients at its offices in Foregate Street, Worcester by way of an induction loop system. David Emery-Jones of Thursfields has also held a Will Writing Workshop for the deaf community at Deaf Direct s British Sign Language Coffee Morning on 25th October. David Emery-Jones, Associate Solicitor, Wills & Estates said: Making a will is crucial to ensure your affairs are in order and your wishes respected when you pass away. Dying intestate can cause enormous problems for family and friends left behind. We are pleased to be able to support the deaf and hard of hearing community with our new facilities in place at our Worcester office. Thursfields specialist Charities and not-for-profit sector, led by Jenny Smith, are further developing relations with the Charity and those it assists. Deaf Direct is renowned for providing high quality bespoke services to deaf and hard of hearing people, their family members and carers, as well as professionals and other organisations. We are grateful for their advice and assistance in installing facilities for deaf and hard of hearing clients. We are also thrilled to be working with them to give people within the deaf community the same access to information about writing a will as hearing people.

9 Innovation in Professional Services Birmingham Post Awards Thursfields is delighted to be shortlisted for the Professional Services award at this year s Birmingham Post Business Awards. The Birmingham Post Business Awards recognise the achievements of the most innovative companies within Birmingham s business community, who help raise the Midland s profile by boosting the region s economy and making a positive contribution to the local community. This shortlisting recognises the growth and development of the firm, which has been driven by advances in its commercial services and sector specific offerings. Its unique culture and values combine the mindset of a start up with the experience and quality of a long established organisation. Thursfields is supported by committed colleagues with a clear vision and passion to deliver excellent standards of customer service. The Birmingham Office of Thursfields continues to grow its corporate and private client offering for business owners significantly, winning high profile new clients and recruiting top quality lawyers from leading regional and national competitors. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at The ICC, Birmingham on 18 October Stuart Price Solicitor, Corporate & Commercial

10 Thursfields Michael Hope is finalist for Apprentice of the Year A rising legal star at Thursfields Solicitors is hoping to lift an Apprentice of the Year trophy in the 2017 Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards. Michael Hope, aged 19, who joined Thursfields in 2016, has been shortlisted in the Awards Intermediate Apprentice category. He will now join other finalists at a black-tie awards dinner at West Midlands Safari Park on Thursday 16 November Talented New Trainees Thursfields has recently recruited 3 trainee solicitors and 3 new legal assistants through their Career Development programme. The Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards recognise the hard work of apprentices, employers, schools, training providers and others who work in apprenticeships in the county. Michael said: I m thrilled to have been nominated and shortlisted for these awards. I m really enjoying my apprenticeship at Thursfields, which is a great place to work. The recruitment programme included two internal candidates who were successful in the process, Nicola Pearce and Shauna Halls, both of whom had proved themselves and shown great potential in their previous roles at the firm. External recruits included Joseph Rollins as a trainee solicitor and Katie Morris, Georgia Morris and Ciaran Moore, who join as legal assistants. Managing Director Nick O Hara said: We are committed to training and developing our own talent as part of our ambitious organic growth plans. It is great to see existing staff taking a step up the ladder and I welcome our new recruits. We have a terrific relationship with The University of Law in Birmingham and I am confident they will all do well.

11 Family team in line for top award Thursfields Family team have been shortlisted for the Family Law Regional Firm of the Year in the Midlands. Hollie Styles, Associate Member of ACILEx, has also been shortlisted for the Family Law Chartered Legal Executive or Paralegal of the Year. Hollie joined the Family team in 2007 as a legal secretary. Having progressed her career at Thursfields, she has extensive knowledge of family law, with her specialist area being in relation to children matters. Shane Miller, Head of Thursfields Family team said: We are incredibly proud of Hollie and this is a really exciting time for our Family team. In 2016 alone, the team saw growth of 17% and the recruitment of some high calibre colleagues to join our existing and well-respected team. The nominations reinforce the team s position as one of the leading advisers in the Worcestershire and West Midlands area and its success is largely based upon the cohesive and unified approach taken by the team. The awards are organised by the Family Law Awards and the ceremony will be held on Wednesday 29 November in London. Great things in business are never done by one person. They re done by a team of people. Steve Jobs

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