Led by Partner, Barrister and Deputy Traffic Commissioner Laura Thomas, the team of consultants will support colleagues across Birketts’ four offices: Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich.
Beverley Bell's arrival will allow clients to benefit from high level practical advice and assistance on transport issues. Beverley (pictured) became the first female Traffic Commissioner in 2000 and in 2012 she was appointed as Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain. Additionally, she chairs TH!NK LOGISTICS LTD whose aims and objectives are to promote the transport and logistics profession as a career of choice and to attract, retain and develop talent within that profession. Having previously served as the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK in 2015 to 2016, she remains a Vice President and a Fellow of the Institute. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) and was honoured to be appointed the Patron of the Society of Operations Engineers in 2016. She is a Fellow of the Institute of the Motor Industry. Beverley also sat on the Advisory Board to the Cranfield University Faculty of Logistics & Transport.
Chris Taylor’s appointment ensures clients will receive practical advice and assistance on health and safety issues. He has over 38 years of experience as an HSE Inspector, with his most recent position as Acting Head of Operations for the Eastern Region based in Bedford. He has a wide experience of health and safety practices and management systems, plus a detailed knowledge of how HSE conducts inspections and investigations and how it enforces the law. He has also represented HSE in Europe; at the European Commission, CEN, and the Agency in Bilbao.
Finally, Dean King joins the team of consultants from Norfolk County Council where he was Lead Trading Standards Officer. He has held previous positions as a specialist officer in Fair Trading & Consumer Safety, and Norfolk service lead for consumer product safety and for practical e-crime procedure and practice. In addition, Dean also served as Norfolk service lead for intellectual property, doorstep crime and for illicit tobacco enforcement and underage sales.
Laura Thomas, Partner and Head of Birketts’ Regulatory and Corporate Defence Team , said: "I’m delighted to welcome Beverley, Chris and Dean to the team. They come with a wealth of experience and represent significant hires for the firm. Our unique combination of skills ensures that we assist corporate and individual clients in regulatory compliance as well as defending and supporting them in proceedings if they face proceedings, offering the highest standard of advice and representation.”
Birketts’ Regulatory and Corporate Defence Team is ranked nationwide for health and safety and road transport regulatory in Chambers and Partners as well as first tier in health and safety, crime, fraud, transport, environment and licensing In Legal 500 (East Anglia).