Stephen Knowles has been appointed to lead a new venture in York, set up to offer legal services specifically for the dental industry.

PFM Dental Legal is part of the Skeldergate-based PFM Dental group, which offers a range of services for dentists, from chartered accountancy and financial planning to sales and valuations, and now legal services.

Mr Knowles joins the operation having previously worked at Leeds law firm Ison Harrison as head of Company Commercial, and at York-based QualitySolicitors Burn & Company, where he was a director.

A member of Guild of Scriveners of the City of York, and with more than 10 years experience in the dental sector, Mr Knowles holds a Bachelor of Laws from Birmingham University in 1989, and a Master of Laws from De Montfort University in 1994.

PFM Dental Legal Limited has been authorised by the Solicitors’ Regulatory Authority to conduct legal services for its chosen clients. The company offers legal services to dentists with a particular focus on the sale and purchase of dental practices, and while based in the centre of York, it already acts for dentists throughout England and Wales.

Mr Knowles said: "Developing a law firm with one of the UK’s leading practice sales agents is a fantastic opportunity. We expect to work closely with the practice sales team at PFM Dental to ensure transaction times are reduced and clients get great value as well as unmatched technical expertise.

"Our legal service has been developed specifically for the dental practice sale and acquisition market and blends experience with innovation.

"We believe that our specialist knowledge not only gets the job done correctly the first time of asking but also in a quicker timescale.

"We assist with all areas of a dental practice sale and acquisition including the transfer of the premises and assisting with NHS England and the Care Quality Commission.

"We also help practice owners with partnership and expense share agreements and contracts for their staff."

PFM Dental director Jon Drysdale said: "With the addition of legal services we expect the group to expand further to take a significant share of the dental practice acquisition market over the next 12 months."

What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

"Sports Journalist – being paid to watch sport sounds like a plan to me."

Greatest achievement?

"Becoming a Dad."

What makes you most angry?

"Lack of respect for others."

Biggest mistake?

"Not following gut instinct"

What do you need to make life complete?

"Family, good friends and a bicycle."

Why do you make a difference?

"Being able to give sound advice in a friendly down to earth way."

Epitaph

"(hopefully!) 'he died happy and amongst friends'."