BPE Solicitors has strengthened its private client team with the recruitment of three additional lawyers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom Bird got to know colleagues and clients virtually after joining the Cheltenham law firm as an associate solicitor as lockdown measures were introduced.

He joined from BP Collins and specialises in wills, estate planning and trust creation, as well as advice on protecting assets and organising personal affairs.

He is also a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Associate solicitor John Pengilley joined from Royds Withy King as the office began to reopen, bringing experience in all areas of private client law.

He supports clients across a wide range of matters including will structures and discretionary trust wills.

Jess Beddows, who was previously at Lodders, joined as a Partner towards the end of lockdown with more than nine years' experience in private client law.

Specialising in advising elderly and vulnerable clients on their financial affairs, health and welfare, she has acted on several Court of Protection matters including applications for a statutory will and a deed of variation on behalf of a vulnerable beneficiary.

The private client team headed by Clare Young and Peter Tyrell, which was ranked highly by independent guide Chambers, now consists of four partners, three associates and two solicitors.

Senior partner John Workman said: "The private client team has consistently grown over the last 10 years and adding three more solicitors to the team is a testament to that.

"The skills and talent Jess, Tom and John bring with them will take the BPE team to the next level."