Switalskis has appointed Paula Mayfield as deputy head of its specialist new build conveyancing team, supporting the firm’s national expansion strategy. Mayfield brings 25 years of experience in residential property across West and South Yorkshire, having previously held senior roles in Leeds, Wakefield, and Sheffield.

Based within a ten-strong specialist department, Mayfield will oversee the complex legal requirements unique to new-build transactions, including developer titles and accelerated contract exchanges.

Richard Wisnia, head of new build conveyancing at Switalskis, said: “Paula’s appointment is an exciting springboard for the next stage of growth and development of the team, building on and reflecting the shifting demand we’re seeing for high-quality new build conveyancing services.”

The appointment follows increased activity in the UK’s new-build sector, which often requires niche legal expertise to navigate developer-specific financial arrangements. Switalskis operates across the North of England, providing legal services to both regional and national housebuilders.



Manchester-based social impact investor Resonance has appointed three sector experts to its leadership team to support its national expansion plans.

Candice Hampson and Erika Rushton MBE join the board, while Danyal Sattar OBE takes the role of Managing Director of Impact Labs.

The appointments bring significant experience in blended finance and the housing market. Ms Hampson previously managed a £140 million portfolio at Better Society Capital, while Ms Rushton specialises in the intersection of property and social investment. Mr Sattar joins from Big Issue Invest, having previously held senior positions at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Founded in 2002, Resonance is a B Corp certified firm that connects institutional capital with social enterprises. Its primary focus is addressing the UK housing crisis through residential property funds. Since 2013, the firm has provided homes for nearly 4,000 people across 1,393 properties.



County Durham-based Hodgson Sayers has appointed Sohrab Jafarpour to oversee a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Teesside University. The collaboration aims to modernise the Stanley-headquartered firm’s operations by developing an AI-driven "Digital Twin" platform for its design and manufacturing processes.

Mr Jafarpour, who holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, will integrate multi-physics simulations and machine learning to automate the production of security doors, frames, and roofing systems. This replaces manual processes, allowing the specialist building maintenance contractor to scale its output for the utilities and renewables sectors.

Managing director John Sayers said: “Sohrab has excellent credentials specific to our need and will enable us to achieve our vision to transform the company into a dynamic, intelligent contractor.”



Business advisory firm FRP has announced a record 130 promotions across 24 locations, including three new partners. The move follows a period of significant expansion, during which the firm has completed 15 acquisitions since its 2020 IPO.

Among the new partners are Shaun Hudson and Jessica Leeming, who join the restructuring advisory team in Sunderland and Preston, respectively. Mr Hudson specialises in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors, while Ms Leeming focuses on agriculture and distressed property. In Cardiff, Geraint McGrath has been promoted to partner within the corporate finance division.

Jeremy French, chief operating officer at FRP, said: “This latest round of promotions celebrates colleagues who have demonstrated real commitment to excellence and delivered outstanding results for our clients, during what has been a significant period of growth for the business.”

FRP now operates from 33 locations. The promotions also include 13 directors and 17 senior managers, with the highest concentration of appointments in London, Brentwood, and Birmingham.



Leeds-headquartered cybersecurity firm Boxphish has increased its headcount to nearly 50 following a period of rapid growth. The expansion follows the company’s 21st-place ranking in the 2026 Northern Tech Awards, which tracks the fastest-growing technology firms in the North of the UK.

Laura Davies joins the senior leadership team as VP Commercial. With seven years of experience in customer partnerships, Ms Davies will oversee the commercial structure required to support the firm's scaling operations. The recruitment drive spans the company’s sales, product, and IT divisions.

Recent contract wins include Aston Martin, the Natural History Museum, and Vanquis Bank. Boxphish, which is backed by investment firm BGF, provides automated phishing simulations and data analytics to reduce human risk in cybersecurity.

Nick Deacon Elliott, Boxphish CEO, said: "Strategic senior hires are key to our long-term strategy and we're thrilled to have Laura on board."



Salford-based brewer Hydes has appointed Dale Tozer as general manager of The Boathouse at Parkgate, as the 19th-century venue undergoes a £1.5 million transformation.

The appointment comes as the company prepares to relaunch the site on the Wirral Peninsula in June, following a three-month refurbishment. Mr Tozer joins with 30 years of hospitality experience, including two decades with Mitchells & Butlers, where he managed premium country pubs such as the Devon Doorway in Heswall and the Cheshire Cat in Christleton.

The investment at the Dee Estuary site, which dates back to 1850, includes a new upstairs drinking terrace overlooking the RSPB nature reserve, a modernised interior, and an upgraded 50-seater function room. The reopening is expected to create 25 new jobs.

Dale Tozer commented: "The Boathouse has always been a jewel of the Wirral, but this refurbishment takes it to an entirely new level. Having lived and worked in Heswall for over two decades, I have a deep understanding of this area and exactly what our customers expect from a premium dining experience. I was drawn back to the pub environment as I thrive on the daily energy of a busy pub and restaurant, and there is no better place to return than such a landmark site."

Adam Mayers, managing director of Hydes Brewery, said: "Dale is a first-class operator whose extensive experience in premium dining pubs makes him the perfect fit for The Boathouse. His deep roots in the local community and his proven track record of managing high-volume, quality establishments ensure that our flagship Wirral site is in expert hands."

Hydes, established in 1863 and headquartered at MediaCity, operates more than 40 pubs across the North West and North Wales.