Meet our Private Practice, Leeds Division

(Left to Right - Orrienne, Rachael, Andy, Jonny, Charlotte, Rachel & Mel) 

Our Private Practice Division is easily one of the largest and longest established in the North and Midlands with it being highly regarded. It has been a core to Sacco Mann’s offering since our inception way back in 1997. Our absolute focus on legal recruitment and the strength of connections has allowed us to become an authority in our marketplace. We seek to build careers and businesses; it’s a complete service that adds value in the short, medium and long term.

Meet the team who can help you… 

Rachael Mann:

What is your role? 
As well as running Sacco Mann I still recruit and love doing so.  I advise Solicitors at all stages of their career from Qualification through to Equity Partnership. One of the advantages of my longevity in the market is that many of my historical candidates are now clients, meaning not only that I know them well, but that they also know how I work and trust my opinion. There are also firms that I have now worked with for over 25 years, this is of huge benefit to both clients and candidates.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Gosh, that’s difficult.  I think I would have to spread myself thinly across Mallorca, Paris and Yorkshire!


Andy Purdy:
 
 What is your role? 
I am a Senior Manager based in our Leeds office. I work within the Private Practice division and recruit Solicitors into permanent roles across Yorkshire and the East Midlands. I source roles from Newly Qualified level up to Equity Partners and recruit for a range of firms from high street and regional through to larger national and international practices.

What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
Put me anywhere in South East Asia and I’ll be happy! I’ve been lucky enough to have visited quite a number of times in recent years and so have managed to tick off Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Philippines and Hong Kong but I think my favourite place has to be Singapore. I love the mixture of new and old across the whole of the city, if you can learn to get to grips with the hawker centres the food is fantastic... and cheap. Take a little boat out to Pulau Ubin and see what Singapore was like 50 years ago. Despite it being a tiny city-state there’s lots to do. Seeing the F1 there was a personal highlight!


Charlotte Connell: 

What is my role? 
I work within the Private Practice division supporting the Consultants in the Leeds office throughout the recruitment process. I ensure that our candidates have the best experience by building relationships and understanding what their next career move looks like.

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
At the minute I spend my weekends looking for my first home but when I want a break from finding the perfect place I am usually catching up with friends and family, going for countryside walks or dining out.


Jonny Weare:
 
 What is your role?
I am a legal Recruiter specialising in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. I recruit Solicitors at all levels, from NQ to Partner, across all areas of law.

What’s one song or artist that you’re embarrassed to admit you like?
Ariana Grande – she is amazing. 


Mel Kitching:

What is your role?
My role involves supporting the Consultants by writing and posting job adverts, registering candidates, arranging interviews and anything else that they need support with.  I also provide general admin support including arranging events and producing monthly stats. 

What’s the first concert you ever went to?
I went to see Take That at St Georges Hall in Bradford in 1992 which was their first ever tour, coincidently the last concert I went to was also Take That in 2019 at Sheffield Arena which was a completely different show!


Orrienne Edward:

What is your role?
I am a Recruitment Consultant in the Leeds Private Practice division facilitating moves for all qualified Solicitors, from newly qualified to partner level. I specialise predominantly in recruiting for sectors within personal law such as residential conveyancing, personal injury, care and crime but also cover some commercial roles too across the North of England. I really love my job as it allows me to help people and make a real difference in their lives by guiding them and coaching them through the development of their careers.

If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
I would instantly have the skill to cook any and every meal that has ever existed because quite simply, I am a bit of a real foodie. 


Rachel Birkinshaw:

What is your role?
I am a Principal Consultant and work in the Private Practice division and recruit Solicitors up to Partner level into permanent roles in the Yorkshire market.  My clients range from small high street practices to international firms.  I qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and moved over into recruitment in 2010, therefore, my knowledge and experience as a trainee and Solicitor has been invaluable when advising candidates and understanding clients’ needs.

Who had the most influence on you growing up?
My mum had the biggest influence on me growing up. She was like super woman (and still is). A successful Solicitor who ran a team and worked full-time at the same time as being an amazing mother of four whilst also taking on numerous other responsibilities such as chair of school governors, brown owl at Brownies and volunteering. She takes everything in her stride and you never see her flustered. Whilst I’m nowhere near the person my mum is, she is the one who has made me strong and determined, firm yet fair and given me a voice to stand up for what I believe in.