Chadwick Lawrence is strengthening its private client capabilities across West Yorkshire with the dual appointment of Helena Wong and Tom Grice. The move signals an expansion for the firm’s wills and probate team, bridging local expertise with international perspective.

Ms Wong, who qualified in Hong Kong before cross-qualifying in England and Wales, joins the Leeds office. Her background is rooted in high-net-worth estate management, often navigating the complexities of cross-jurisdictional assets valued up to £5 million. Her arrival adds a sophisticated layer to the firm’s probate services, particularly for clients with global interests.

In Wakefield, the firm welcomes Tom Grice, a practitioner with over a decade of experience in the Yorkshire legal market. Having previously served as a partner and department head, Mr Grice returns to a dedicated private client role, focusing on estate administration and lasting powers of attorney. Partner Sarah Power noted that the pair’s "shared commitment to delivering a high standard of client care" aligns with the firm's recent recognition as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work.



Huddersfield-based Bedkingdom has appointed Katherine McNamee to the newly created role of Head of Brand and Creative, marking a strategic shift toward internal brand development. McNamee, a Nottingham Trent University alumna, transitions from a background in furniture buying to oversee the retailer’s visual direction, content strategy, and social media presence.

The appointment follows a period of rapid scaling for the West Yorkshire firm. Founded with an initial investment of just £400, Bedkingdom recently featured in the Sunday Times 100 list after recording average annual sales growth of 76%. McNamee’s remit involves consolidating the identity of the company’s various house brands, including Flair Furnishings and Noomi, as it seeks to professionalise its digital output.

“It’s been exciting to see ideas come to life and to grow alongside the business,” said McNamee, who aims to build a "distinctive presence" over the next two years. The 49-strong company is continuing its recruitment drive, currently seeking specialists in business development and paid media to support its e-commerce expansion.



Global technology consultancy RheinBrücke has launched its UK operations, appointing Yorkshire-based digital transformation specialist James Waterhouse as CTO. The Netherlands-headquartered firm, which employs 250 associates across 45 countries, aims to support mid-market businesses—particularly those backed by private equity—in modernising legacy IT infrastructure and integrating fragmented systems.

Mr Waterhouse brings over 20 years of experience in operational management and M&A, having previously worked with firms such as Endless and Elaghmore. His appointment follows RheinBrücke’s successful projects with major UK entities including American Golf and business supplies wholesaler EVO Group.

The UK launch coincides with the acquisition of SAP specialist Empowersys, adding 40 consultants to the group. This expansion allows the consultancy to offer a comprehensive suite of ERP modernisation, data intelligence, and AI automation. CEO Vetri Selvan noted that while UK mid-market firms are "vital economic engines," they often lack the IT resources of larger enterprises. By bridging the gap between strategy and execution, RheinBrücke seeks to unlock growth in the North’s manufacturing and retail sectors without the overheads associated with "Big Four" consultancies.



Leeds-based marketing agency Perfect Storm has hired three new staff members as it reaches its tenth year in business. The appointments of Faye Ripley, Kelsie Hatton, and Evie Baines follow a period of growth for the firm, which is known for its flexible approach of bringing in specialist partners for specific client projects.

Faye Ripley joins as Digital Project Lead with nine years of experience from several Northern agencies. She will manage digital work from the initial planning stages through to completion. Kelsie Hatton moves from IMA-HOME to become Digital Client Manager, where she will run day-to-day accounts, while Evie Baines joins as a Digital Executive.

Client Director Naomi Biltcliffe said that while the current economic climate is challenging, the agency is proud to be in a position to invest in new talent. Ms Ripley noted that she was drawn to the firm because its model allows for a more tailored way of working, ensuring the right experts are matched to each client’s specific needs.



Professional services firm Cooper Parry (CP) has formalised its entry into the Yorkshire market with a new Leeds-based hub, led by a team of partners transitioning from "Big Four" backgrounds. Though the initial appointments of Arif Ahmad, Liz Ross-Jones, and Chulanga Jayawardana took place over the last six months, the firm is now accelerating its recruitment drive with additional tax and transaction specialists set to join.

The expansion targets the "Northern Square Mile" in Leeds, focusing on mid-market and private equity-backed businesses. Mr Ahmad, a Middlesbrough native and Regional Market Leader, described the move as bringing "Big Four credentials with a boutique approach". His team will provide audit and transaction advice to the region’s high-growth sectors, including food and beverage and manufacturing.

The new office serves as a base for CP’s "next gen" advisory model, which aims to combine national scale with local expertise. Liz Ross-Jones noted the resilience of the Yorkshire business community, stating that the firm's role is to help clients "cut through complexity." With a growing pipeline of work already established, the Leeds hub is a key pillar in the firm’s strategy to expand across the North of England.