LANGLEYS Solicitors has appointed Andrew Fearn as its first ever chairman.

The York and Lincoln-based firm has also strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of family lawyer Mark Day as head of private law - a role previously held by Mr Fearn.

Mr, who retains the position of deputy managing partner at Langleys, has experience in advising high net worth clients, farmers and land owners. He also deals with agricultural property cases.

Mr Day specialises in family law and divorce cases, and is the only divorce solicitor in York recommended in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories.

David Thompson, managing partner at Langleys, said: "Both appointments are well deserved and I congratulate Andrew and Mark.

"They will play an important role in the strategic decisions taken by the business as we continue to build our reputation for high quality advice to clients across a wide range of legal services."

Langleys employs 340 people at its offices in York and Lincoln.

YORK-based accountancy firm Garbutt + Elliott has boosted its VAT service offering with the appointment of VAT specialist Alex Millar as a senior consultant.

Mr Millar bring 19 years VAT experience, having worked as a freelance consultant since 2010.

He has experience within several of Garbutt + Elliott’s key sectors, in particular the charity sector, and will head the firm’s VAT team, working alongside the existing tax team.

Garbutt + Elliott’s managing partner, Russell Turner, said: "Alex adds a very significant string to our bow with his in-depth knowledge of VAT and we are very privileged to have brought in an expert of his calibre.

"Alex’s appointment as an in-house VAT specialist places us alongside much larger firms such as Deloitte and KPMG and allows us to offer a first-class service to our clients that they would struggle to find at other firms of a similar size."

VAUXALL retailer Evans Halshaw in York has strengthened it’s business development team.

Mark Baker, 33, from York, has joined the team at the dealership in Clifton Moor as a New Business manager.

Having previously been part of the new business team at another local car dealership, he brings with him more than 11 years of experience in the motoring industry.

Andre De Jesus, Dealer principal at Evans Halshaw York, said: "I’m really glad to introduce Mark as the newest member of our team.

"Since taking over as Dealer Principal I’ve been bringing some fresh faces into the business to help kick start a fresh approach.

"Mark has already shown his commitment to this programme having made a great impression on everyone here at the dealership and I’m sure he’ll continue to be a great addition to the team."