Eversheds Sutherland has welcomed finance partner, Andrew Fordham, reinforcing its strategic intent to further strengthen its international banking and finance practice and expand its capabilities across key UK and global markets.

Andrew joins the global law firm's Leeds office from Addleshaw Goddard and brings extensive experience advising lenders, private equity sponsors, corporates and management teams on complex financing transactions. His practice spans acquisition finance, real estate finance, asset-based lending and corporate banking matters.

Prior to joining Addleshaw Goddard, Andrew was a partner in Squire Patton Boggs' Financial Services practice.



Yorkshire law firm Ramsdens Solicitors has appointed an experienced private client lawyer to strengthen the firm’s estate planning, inheritance tax and succession offering across its West Yorkshire offices.

Charlene Vilia joins from Flint Bishop, which acquired Lupton Fawcett LLP, where she held a Partner role in the firm’s private client team.

She returns to Ramsdens, which has 11 offices throughout Yorkshire, after beginning her legal career there nearly 20 years ago as a paralegal at the firm before qualifying as a solicitor.


Property professional Hollie Everson has joined Beal Homes as the prestige housebuilder’s new Sales Manager.

Hollie brings a strong track record in new homes sales to the East Yorkshire-based housebuilder, having progressed rapidly through the ranks with Barratt Redrow.

Following experience as an online estate agent, Hollie joined Barratt Redrow as a trainee sales advisor in 2019, progressing to Sales Advisor and then Senior Sales Advisor.

Over this time, she received four awards for her performance, culminating in being named the housebuilder’s Sales Advisor of the Year in 2026.

She has now joined family-owned Beal as Sales Manager, succeeding Harriet Walker, who is remaining with the business in a different capacity.



A new generation of aspiring accountants and tax advisers came together as Armstrong Watson welcomed its latest intake of trainees and graduates at a special Class of 2026 event.

The accountancy, business and financial advisory firm has taken on 58 new students who are embarking on professional qualifications including Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) apprenticeships, as well as the ACA Graduate Programme, which leads to Chartered Accountant status.

The Class of 2026 aims to help recruits settle into the business. It offers an opportunity to hear from current trainees and colleagues who have built successful careers at Armstrong Watson, and to gain insight into the professional qualifications they will be studying over the coming years.



Carlisle solicitors Wragg Mark-Bell have promoted Rebecca Ferris to Operations Director, as the firm takes a new step in its business structure. The Castle Street-based practice is adopting an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) from this month.

For Rebecca, who has been with the firm since July 2023, the promotion is both a personal milestone and chance to play a greater role in shaping the future of the business.