Former NHS chief joins the board at specialist law firm

The new appointment comes as personal injury and clinical negligence specialists Neil Hudgell Solicitors, which employs 100 staff in Hull and Leeds, looks to grow further and attract external investment.

It is also seeking to become an ABS (alternative business structure), a new regulated organisation which allows non-lawyers to be involved as a manager or owner of a legal firm.

Neil Hudgell, managing director of the law firm, said: “As the business continues to grow and attract external investment interest, and as a prelude to securing an ABS licence, we are putting in place a more structured governance for the management board.

“This has led to Kath’s appointment as the business’s first chair of the board.

“We are very pleased she has joined us.

“She brings a wealth of experience of board governance, particularly in the health sector, which complements our expertise in clinical negligence and will help us develop connections to extend rehabilitation services for clients.”

Ms Lavery is a non-executive director with a portfolio spanning the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

It is anticipated that her knowledge of the charitable sector will help to develop the Neil Hudgell Solicitors Trust, a fund that gives out grants to grassroots community and sporting groups in Yorkshire.

Ms Lavery said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with Neil Hudgell Solicitors, a local company that is growing rapidly and making the changes needed to embrace that growth.

“What the business has achieved so far is very impressive and I look forward to helping it grow even more. Hull needs more successful companies like this.

“I also share the values of Neil Hudgell Solicitors and its desire to provide expert legal representation for anyone with a legitimate civil claim for personal injury, medical or professional negligence.” Ms Lavery is a trustee of Hull Kingston Rovers Community Trust.

She also chairs the Humber Sports Partnership, and the East Yorkshire Community Foundation, as well as running her own consultancy.

She began her career as a post-graduate information scientist, and went on to become a full-time officer for the trade union UNISON.

She was also a member of Hull City Council and was – until 2006 – the cabinet member responsible for economy and regeneration.

She comes from the village of Burton Pidsea in Holderness, and is a former pupil of Withernsea High School and a graduate of Leeds Metropolitan University.

Mr Hudgell established his legal practice in Hull in 1997.

Neil Hudgell Solicitors is also a member of a specialist network of lawyers, and rehabilitation experts known as the brain injury group. Neil Hudgell recently represented a Hull-based electrician who suffered a torn bowel due to a workplace accident involving a high pressure hose.

The firm also obtained compensation for a woman whose 92-year-old mother died after a fall at a Manchester care home.