Chester law firm Hillyer McKeown has implemented the first stages of its five-year growth strategy with a series of appointments and a key promotion.

Last month the law firm announced it has its sights set on ‘considerable growth’ across the North West and North Wales.

Michael Wright has been appointed as associate solicitor in the commercial property team bringing extensive experience, specialising in non-contentious property matters.

Joining Michael is Simone Barry, a legal executive with the commercial team. She has returned to the legal sector having served as a director of a North West plant hire firm and will concentrate on the delivery of commoditised business legal services.

Specialist litigation solicitor Chris Harmer has been appointed head of debt recovery. He said: "Having previously undertaken work for large international corporates handling claims up to £16m through to SME and owner-managed businesses, I’m bringing with me an in-depth understanding of debt recovery and dispute resolution issues – which I feel will be crucial to not only assisting Hillyer McKeown clients with their legal issues, but also in being able to address such issues with a real sense of commerciality.”

Caroline Jones, who has been with the firm for four years, has been promoted to head of commercial property.