Catherine joined Leathes Prior in March 2011, and during her period of training she undertook seats in Employment, Wills Trusts & Probate and Dispute Resolution.
Catherine is originally from Barnsley, where she gained 5 A levels at A grade, before graduating from the University of East Anglia with an 2:1 law degree in 2006. She completed her Legal Practice Course in Leeds in 2008 before joining Rotherham based law-firm Waring Associates as a Legal Assistant where she worked for three years gaining extensive experience particularly in the field of employment law. It was perhaps no surprise, therefore, to discover that Catherine found her feet within Leathes Prior’s Employment Team, where she will now remain.
Catherine comments on her appointment: “I am delighted to have secured a position upon qualification both at Leathes Prior and within the Employment Team in particular. I have a very keen interest in this area of law and have greatly enjoyed working with the Team as a Trainee. I look forward to committing myself to our busy Team and the firm and assisting in future growth and development”
Dan Chapman, Head of the Employment Team commented: “I am thrilled about Catherine’s arrival. She is a good lawyer with excellent technical skills and will be a great addition to the team; her experience in employment law already far exceeds her level of qualification as a Solicitor and she will be a real asset for us and our clients.”
Great Yarmouth based market-leading energy production technology services company Proserv has bolstered its rapidly-evolving global footprint and specialist integrated services after acquiring major US company, Total Instrumentation & Controls (TIC).
The acquisition of Houston-based TIC, which specialises in advanced process and control systems equipment and has a second manufacturing facility in Lafayette (LA), also significantly increases Proserv’s talent pool by more than 300 people to over 1600 with the entire American-based workforce joining forces with the company under the Proserv mantle.
TIC provides a broad range of installation and maintenance services to equipment manufacturing, drilling, production and pipeline companies. Specialising in blow-out prevention (BOP) stacking and installation services for offshore applications, the company manufactures drilling and production control systems and supplies ancillary subsea components such as remote terminal units (RTUs) and topside umbilical termination units (TUTUs).
The deal reinforces Proserv’s position as a leading player in the drilling and production controls market and provides the company with enhanced capabilities to expand its offering into the BOP subsea controls and services sector.
David Lamont, Proserv’s chief executive officer, said: “The acquisition of TIC is completely in line with our ambitious growth strategy – investing in companies and complementary world-class technologies that strengthen our suite of innovative products and services.
“This is a significant development for Proserv as TIC is a leading independent contractor to subsea BOP manufacturers, meaning the deal will create a greater strong-hold for Proserv in the Gulf of Mexico market, enhancing our integrated capabilities. In turn, this will allow us to cross-sell Proserv products and services through TIC’s customer base, creating considerably more capacity to develop our international business.
“Existing product lines, such as our Gilmore Valve range, are complemented by TIC’s service offering and will enable us to provide the offshore and land based drilling sector with a more comprehensive drilling controls solution.
“We are thrilled to welcome the TIC team to Proserv. They bring a broad range of technical skills and experience, but most importantly they share our core values and ambition to be the provider of choice to our customers and together, as one company, we are even stronger.”
Steve Lykins, chief operating officer at TIC, said: “We are delighted to become part of the Proserv family and believe it will create a unique opportunity to grow our business to benefit our customers and our people.
“TIC has been a leading expert in process control and safety shutdown systems and services for over 20 years and through Proserv’s global footprint and world-class portfolio of services, we can look to strengthen our service capabilities and accelerate our international expansion.”
Proserv is a market-leading company specialising in exploration & production, drilling, and infrastructure technical solutions and services to the global energy industry. The company operates worldwide from 30 sites in 6 geographical regions namely North UK & Africa, South UK & Europe, Scandinavia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa and the Far East & Australia.
Proserv has experienced exceptional growth over the past 12 months particularly in the subsea services sector. Earlier this year, more than 300 members of Weatherford staff joined Proserv when the company’s subsea controls subsidiaries were acquired in May.
The new Children and Families Bill passed its second reading on 25 February 2013 in the House of Commons. The Bill extends the statutory rights that both parents have in their children’s upbringing.
The new Children and Families Bill passed its second reading on 25 February 2013 in the House of Commons. The Bill extends the statutory rights that both parents have in their children’s upbringing.
The Bill provides statutory recognition that it is in the child’s interest for both parents to remain involved in the child’s life, unless the child is at risk of harm, stating, “to presume, unless the contrary is shown” that the involvement of each of the child’s parents in his or her life “will further the child’s welfare”.
The Bill also replaces the current “residence” and “contact” orders with a single “child arrangements” order. This will set out where the children live and how much time they spend with the other parent. This is a welcome change as too often separated parents focus on whether one parent should have the label of a contact or a shared residence order, even though they have agreed the division of time. It will also help parents to move away from terminology with implies that there is a winner or a loser in disputes concerning children.
The Bill also contains further rights for employees in respect of parental leave and more rights for couples expecting a child. Flexible working requests will be considered from all employees, not just those who are parents or carers.
Further updates will be available on the Steeles Law website as the Children and Families Bill progresses through Parliament.
KLM NORWICH SERVICES INCREASED – KLM sees passenger figures increase and adds a fourth daily frequency –
KLM has announced a fourth daily service from Norwich Airport to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for summer 2013. Increased frequency on the popular route will further cement Norwich’s position as one of KLM’s most successful departure points on its extensive UK network.
Via their award winning hub airport in Amsterdam, KLM offers the East of the UK over 100 worldwide destinations on its intercontinental network and over 650 destinations across KLM’s Skyteam partner networks. Better connections to destinations such as Dubai, Lima or Toronto are made easier with KLM via Amsterdam and at very attractive fares. In addition, point to point business travellers can benefit from the convenient flight schedule out of Norwich, which enables them to conduct a full day’s business in the Netherlands.
Says Henri Hourcade, AIR FRANCE KLM General Manager UK & Ireland: “We are delighted to further improve the KLM service on such an important regional route, and hope it will be warmly welcomed by our passengers. We are very happy to provide better connectivity to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for both leisure and business passengers, and our three daily frequencies will increase to four from today. We are pleased this is happening in Norwich where KLM has been present for so many years not only as a Scheduled Airline but also with our Engineering Unit.”
For more information on KLM visit www.klm.com or call 0871 231 0000.
Flight number Frequency Departure (local time) Arrival (local time) KL1505 Daily 09:15 09:05 KL1507 Weekday 13:30 13:20 KL1511 Daily 16:50 16:40 KL1515 Daily 21:15 21:05 *Summer schedule valid from 31.03.13 until 26.10.13. Subject to change
For further press information please contact the KLM press office at the Red Consultancy on: Email: [email protected] / Telephone: 020 7025 6625
Notes to Editors: About KLM KLM offers the choice of 17 UK departure points. KLM is part of the AIR FRANCE KLM Group which was voted Best Short haul Airline 2013 at the Business Travel Awards. KLM flies via the multi-awarding winning Amsterdam Airport Schiphol whose wealth of accolades include Business Traveller’s ‘Best Airport in Europe’ award 2012. Voted Best Airline for Staff Service at the 2012 World Airline Awards, KLM offers passengers the opportunity to fly in Economy, Economy Comfort and World Business Class. Passengers can book online at www.klm.com as well as save time by checking in online up to one hour before departure.
New limits for compensation awards by employment tribunals have been announced and will take effect from 1 February 2013. Steeles Law trainee solicitor Laura Tanguay and Professional Support Lawyer Elizabeth Stevens report.
On 1 February 2013, the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal will rise from £72,300 to £74,200 and the maximum amount of a statutory week’s pay, used to calculate statutory redundancy pay (among other things), will rise from £430 to £450.
The figures reflect an RPI increase of 2.6% in the year to September 2012.
Summary of changes:
Maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal: increasing from £72,300 to £74,200
Maximum limit on a week’s pay: increasing from £430 to £450
Minimum basic award for certain unfair dismissals (dismissals for reasons of trade union membership or activities, health and safety duties, pension scheme trustee duties or acting as an employee representative): increasing from £5,300 to £5,500
Maximum basic award or statutory redundancy payment: increasing from £12,900 to £13,500
These new rates will apply in instances where the effective date of termination falls on or after 1 February 2013.
For any employment enquiries please contact the Steeles Law employment team on [email protected] or 01603 598000.
If you’re out and about this autumn, keep an eye out for our brand new Watsons Lettings T-Boards. From November, these new signs will start appearing outside properties across Norfolk and beyond.
We’ve refreshed our To Let, Let By, and Let & Managed By boards with a cleaner, bolder design that reflects the strength and professionalism of our lettings service. The new boards are part of a wider refresh across the department, which includes improved landlord communications, updated email designs, and a renewed focus on clear, consistent service for both landlords and tenants.
We’re so excited to share everything we’ve been working on behind the scenes with you. Managing property portfolios in some of the most iconic East Anglian areas, from the highly sought after NR1, NR2, and NR3 postcodes to prestigious North Norfolk coastal homes, there’s many places our boards will be spotted across the region.
This news represents more than just a new look for Wastons Lettings – it’s about showing the progress we’ve made in modernising how we present and deliver our lettings services across Norwich and Norfolk.
From digital marketing campaigns and sharing the latest compliance updates to launching our fully integrated Management+ model, we’re continuously integrating the latest ideas and technology to make it easier for our clients to let, manage, and maintain their properties with confidence.
“These new boards are more than just a fresh design. They represent the energy, pride and professionalism of our lettings team, and the continued investment we’re making to improve the service we provide.”
As a full-suite property specialist, our services as a Letting Agent in Norwich & Norfolk span from tenant introduction services to fully managed packages. We work with landlords, developers, resident management companies, and occupiers, delivering tailored solutions with a personal touch and professionalism that are designed to protect investments and contribute to thriving communities.
Working with leading local contractors and offering direct access to our wider Watsons team, including Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents, we’re proud to provide the expertise needed to support anyone on their property journey, whether they’re renting their first flat in Norwich or expanding their East Anglian portfolio.
This year, we unified our Residential Lettings and Block & Estate Management teams to create a streamlined Property Management division, enabling the launch of Management+, our all-in-one service for leaseholders. Management+ brings lettings, maintenance, and financial management together, giving clients confidence that every aspect of their property is expertly overseen. The service also offers features like Rent and Legal Guarantee, helping protect investments and providing added peace of mind for those looking to do more with their portfolio.
Our talented lettings team are continuously working to ensure the process is simpler, faster, and better connected for our clients, whether that’s handling enquiries, preparing properties for market, or keeping landlords informed at every step. The new boards are a visible reminder of that commitment and we can’t wait to share this with you all.
So next time you’re passing a Watsons To Let property in Norwich or Norfolk, keep an eye out for our updated boards – a small but striking sign of how we’re evolving, one property at a time.
Contact Our Team
Our property management specialists are here to enhance and protect your property investments. Get in touch today to discover more about our award-winning services.
Lettings Team 18 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich, NR7 0TA
Leathes Prior is pleased to announce that we are sponsoring the Pedal Norfolk Cycling Festival, taking place at Holkham Hall on May 4th, 5th and 6th. Although centered around cycling this festival is being designed to attract all the family with activities and entertainment for a fun day out.
Watsons acquires Westley & Huff, strengthening our position as RICS Chartered Surveyors & Registered Valuers
As a leading full-suite property specialist, offering valuation, survey, lettings and property management services across the nation, we are excited to announce the acquisition of Westley & Huff, a well-respected brand known for top valuation and survey expertise based in Cambridge.
This strategic acquisition allows us to build upon our position in the Cambridgeshire residential and commercial property market and strengthens our offerings to a broad client and customer base across the nation.
Ray Smith, FRICS – Chief Executive Officer at Watsons Property Group Ltd commented:
“The acquisition of Westley & Huff marks a pivotal step in Watsons’ strategic growth. Their presence as well-known Chartered Surveyors within a property hotspot, and their deep understanding of their local markets will be invaluable as we accelerate our expansion across the UK. It’s a win-win for both Watsons and Westley & Huff, and most importantly, for the customers we serve.”
Westley & Huff is renowned for reliable property valuations and expert witness services, alongside building surveys and consultancy in East Anglia. We’re confident this acquisition will be seamless for both our customers and Westley & Huff, merging the strengths of two accredited, and award‑winning RICS‑registered valuer practices with Watsons, established in 1890, and Westley & Huff, established in 1952.
Paul Muscutt BSc (Est. Man) MRICS – Chief Executive Officer at Westley & Huff added:
“We are delighted to join forces with Watsons and value the warm welcome. Our shared commitment to quality and customer satisfaction aligned perfectly. We look forward to contributing to the Watsons Group and to a long and successful alliance that enhances the histories of both companies”
Any questions?
Together, Watsons and Westley & Huff will continue to deliver trusted, independent valuation and surveying services backed by decades of combined expertise. By uniting our knowledge, talent and regional insight, we remain committed to providing clarity and confidence for homeowners, investors, and property professionals nationwide.
If you have any questions about this acquisition or would like to discuss how our enhanced services can support your property needs, please get in touch. We’re here to help.
This will be the 11th year of the annual Business Continuity Seminar run by Normit.
Presenters will share their experiences and practical case studies that can help Norfolk business owners improve their Business Continuity Management arrangements.
The seminar will be beneficial for any type or size of organisation. This is an ideal opportunity to find out more about Business Continuity, pick up some useful information and best practice in this area and use it to enhance the resilience of organisations in Norfolk. There will also be an opportunity to network and share your experiences with peers.
NORMIT Members are entitled to one free place, with additional places and non-NORMIT Members at £25.
Gary Doulas-Beet of the Business Shaper Group will be one of the keynote speakers at this event, bringing his experience of working as a management consultant with the UK’s fastest growing disaster recovery company, Tempest Restoration.
This event takes place at the Abbey Conference Centre, Norwich, NR1 2DD, on Wednesday 1st May 2013, starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm.
To celebrate this and to support our Charity of The Year Thrive Autism our Pastry Chef Rebecca has created a Butterfly Afternoon Tea.
£2 of every Butterfly Afternoon Tea during April will be donated to Thrive Autism. If you are looking for a special treat this month please come and support this Autism awareness month with us, we’d love to see you!
Tom Bailey, a Barrister from Steeles Law’s dispute resolution team, will be joining the ranks of local competitors in this year’s London Marathon. The Marathon itself needs no introduction. On 21 April 2013 at 9.30am, 35,000 runners will begin a 26 mile course around the River Thames. Like thousands of other runners, who have together raised over £500 million for good causes since the race began in 1981, Tom will be competing in the Marathon in support of his chosen charity – Shelter (www.shelter.org.uk).
Tom has been involved with Shelter in a professional capacity in the past, working on pro bono cases in order to assist people who were either at risk of homelessness, actually homeless or in crisis need. The charity’s mission is to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing. In its most direct form, this is by way of free advice and representation to those most in need.
Commenting on Shelter, Tom said: “I believe very passionately that the work they do is vital, particularly in difficult economic times and given the ever deepening cuts to legal aid, they provide a truly vital service to those in real need.”
At the time of writing, Tom was at 94% of his fundraising target (£1,700). Donations of any amount to help Tom reach his goal would be gratefully received, and can be made online at: https://www.justgiving.com/Tom-Bailey5.
Watsons Awarded Chartered Surveyor of the Year 2025
We are proud to announce that Watsons has been awarded the respected title of Chartered Surveyor of the Year 2025 at the National LIS Awards in London. Being honored with this national award recognises our ongoing commitment to delivering tailored advice, technical expertise, and reports to the highest of standards tolandlords, investors, and homeowners across the nation.
Celebrating excellence in Valuation & Survey
The National LIS Awards is organised by the founders of The National Landlord Investment Show, which is aimed at giving landlords and investors the education and information needed to start, grow, and retain property portfolios in an ever-changing market. The National LIS Awards have been created to celebrate the leaders and top talent of property services and the private rented sector. To be acknowledged at this level is an incredibly proud moment for Watsons, reflecting the dedication and expertise offered by our Chartered Surveyors.
At Watsons, our Survey & Valuation team collaborate closely with our Property Managers to ensure local landlords, investors, and homeowners can expect the best service possible.
What sets Watsons apart as national Chartered Surveyors includes:
Trusted for over a century: Founded in 1890, Watsons has a longstanding reputation for delivering reliable and accurate property services. Our heritage reflects sustained commitment to professional integrity, exceptional standards, and the delivery of tailored advice to our clients.
In-depth local knowledge: Our surveyors bring valuable first-hand knowledge of the communities in which they serve, with many having lived locally for decades. This regional insight allows us to conduct precise property inspections, with the valuable context of market awareness and region-specific trends.
Thorough and clear reporting: Our comprehensive reports are written in plain English, highlighting essential findings and enabling you to make informed decisions quickly and confidently. We also provide photographic evidence within our RICS Level 3 Homebuyer Survey and Bespoke Surveys, with additional Camera Pole and Drone imagery available.
Swift turnaround times: We recognise the importance of timely reporting within property transactions. Our processes are designed to ensure surveys and valuations are completed and returned promptly while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy.
National reach, local insight: With surveyors based across the UK, we combine national coverage with on-the-ground local expertise to deliver accurate, context-aware inspections to landlords, investors, homeowners, and more.
Winning Chartered Surveyor of the Year 2025 is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our entire team. This fantastic achievement reflects our commitment to professional standards as a full-suite property specialist and providing exceptional service to our clients, always striving for excellence in every aspect of what we do.
A commitment to our clients
Receiving this award reinforces our mission to remain a trusted partner for landlords, investors, developers, and beyond. Our survey and valuation expertise helps landlords and investors identify risks early, maintain compliance and safeguard the performance of their property portfolios. Landlords can also rely on Watsons to manage their properties with the highest levels of efficiency and care, while tenants receive a professional and responsive service that meets their needs, by collaborating with our Property Management team.
Conclusion
We are grateful to the National LIS Awards (The National Landlord Investment Show) for this incredible honour, to our team for their outstanding commitment, and to our clients for their continued confidence in the service we provide.
Together, we look forward to another successful year of delivering outstanding property services across the nation in 2026.
Contact Our Team
Our property specialists are here to support you through the property buying and selling journey, whilst enhancing and protecting your property investments.
Get in touch today to discover more about our award-winning property services.
Customer Service Team 18 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich, NR7 0TA
