A host of promotions at Walker Morris

Frazer Peavoy joins the firm’s reneweables, energy & resources group as a director from McGrigors in Manchester. The group now includes 25 lawyers based in Leeds. Meanwhile, David Blumenthal becomes a director within the tax team. He recently joined from Asserson having previously been a partner at Mishcon de Reya.

Also in the legal sector, DLA Piper has announced the promotion of 21 lawyers across its Leeds and Sheffield offices.

Construction specialist Ian Doig and Gurpreet Duhra from the employment team, both based in Sheffield, have been promoted to partner. Joining DLA Piper in 1998 and 2001 respectively, Mr Doig and Mr Duhra started their legal careers as trainees with the firm. Mr Doig will now lead the construction practice across Yorkshire.

Stephen Johns, Dominic Higham, Max Ballad, Louise Casey, Luigi Falivene and Lynda Finan in the Leeds office and Alastair Clough, Rob McKie and Matt Ainsworth in Sheffield are all promoted to legal director. In addition, 11 lawyers from across both offices have been promoted to associate.

Yorkshire law firm Gordons has announced the appointment of Andrew Todd as a partner and part of its commercial property department, after four and a half years in Leeds with law firm DWF.

Elsewhere, The Private Office, a Leeds-based independent financial adviser, has announced the appointment of Phil Hughes as head of operations. He will be responsible for driving process efficiency and will focus on enhancing client relationships. Prior to joining The Private Office, he was sales and strategy director at Legal & General. He was also formerly head of commercial marketing at HSBC.