A round-up of appointments from across the South West. This week: LDC, Grant Thornton, Irwin Mitchell, Savills and the West of England Society of Chartered Accountants.
Leading mid-market private equity provider LDC has further strengthened its Bristol-based operation with the appointment of Simon Hemley as an investment director. He will be responsible for sourcing potential investment opportunities, supporting LDC portfolio companies and expanding its existing network of contacts throughout the South West.
Hemley said: "LDC has an unrivalled track record in the UK private equity mid-market space for its delivery of new investments, strategic exits and acquisitions in support of portfolio businesses. I am thrilled to be part of the Bristol team and look forward to working with my new colleagues to help drive deal flow and further develop LDC's business in the region."
Grant Thornton has bolstered its manufacturing practice with the promotion of sector specialist Neil Barrell to partner. Barrell joined the firm three years ago after holding a number of senior positions in manufacturing companies.
He has also been made Grant Thornton's national head of operations consulting.
Barrell said: "This new enhanced role will allow Grant Thornton to share the concepts and best practices that we've developed over the last three years into other vital manufacturing sectors.
"Our team has specialist knowledge of automotive, aerospace, packaging, oil and gas, food and drink and pharmaceuticals – all sectors containing ambitious medium and large businesses which are hungry for growth, both domestically and globally."
The Bristol branch of law firm Irwin Mitchell has expanded its industrial disease division by appointing a team of four legal specialists.
Virginia Chalmers has joined as partner, along with associate director Isabelle Selley, solicitor Leanne Leighton and litigation assistant Racheal Wilson. They will join Irwin Mitchell later this month from Lyons Davidson.
Savills has appointed Vicky Dudbridge as associate director of new homes at its Bristol office. She will focus on selling and marketing homes on new residential developments throughout the region.
George Cardale, Savills' head of new homes in Bristol, said: "Vicky's appointment brings considerable experience and expertise to New Homes in Bristol at a time when demand for our services is at a premium.
"She is a very welcome addition to the team, and will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in ensuring a high standard of service and support for our growing client base."
Before joining Savills, Dudbridge was an associate director at JLL.
Edward Corrigan, former partner at Kidsons Impey, now Baker Tilly, and the businessman behind Corrigan Associates, has been named as the new president of the West of England Society of Chartered Accountants district.
He will now represent all Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) in the South West.
He said: "Having worked for both large and small practices throughout my career I understand the important role that the district society can play to members.
"Our aim is also to connect and support the younger generation of newly qualified members who could greatly benefit from the opportunities that the society provide."