LUPTON Fawcett Denison Till, the York, Leeds and Sheffield-based commercial law firm, has announced the arrival of solicitor Jessica Richardson to its expanding commercial property department, based in York.

Ms Richardson, previously of Addleshaw Goddard, who acts on all types of commercial property work, lives in York and studied both at York University and at York College of Law.

Jonathan Moore, director and head of commercial property in York said: "Jessica’s pedigree is highly sought after; with her extensive knowledge of the agriculture and landed estates sector through to her renewable energy and estate/land management expertise.

"This is the second senior lateral hire in as many months and the rise in activity has resulted in the firm’s continued investment to ensure that we are better placed to support the increased activity in York and the wider North Yorkshire region."

THE first ever employee of residential lettings management agency CityLets York has been promoted to the management team.

Nicola Lyon joined founders Carole Carter and Cathryn Houghton 13 years ago and has grown with the business over this time. Her recent promotion to Serviced Lets Manager alongside Nick Read comes shortly after the return of Carole Carter to her new role as business consultant, having sold the business to the UK’s largest network of property consultancies, Countrywide Plc at the end of 2014.

In response to the growing volume of property developments in the city, significant investment has been committed to expanding their serviced apartments division, which Ms Lyon and Mr Read will oversee having taken on the roles of joint managers.

A HOTELIER who has spent all but one of her working years in the industry has joined Best Western Monkbar Hotel's sales and marketing team.

Kate Gillyon has been appointed sales co-ordinator at the hotel, which is nearing the final stages of a £3 million upgrade programme.

Ms Gillyon began her career in the Regency Park Hotel, in Thatcham, Berkshire, in 2002, completing a trainee management programme two years later.

In 2005 she moved to East Yorkshire, and took up a position at the Beverley Arms Hotel, before spending four years as assistant reception manager at Hull’s De Vere Village Hotel.

In 2011 she became reception manager at the Hull Ramada Jarvis Hotel. Prior to her joining the Monkbar Hotel she was reception manager at a four star York hotel.