National law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed Richard Medd as its new managing partner after the firm’s 150-strong partnership voted him into the role.
Having joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2000, Richard will take over the role in his 20th year at the company - taking up the position from Friday, May 1, 2020.
He will remain in place for a three-year term.
Richard is based at the Nottingham office where he heads up the business services department.
He said: "I can’t wait to take on the challenge to drive the delivery of the firm’s ambitious plans for the future.
"The firm has amazing people, a great culture and a clear focus on delivering high quality legal services in a commercial and pragmatic way to our loyal and ever growing client base, keeping them at the forefront of what we do and navigating the challenges and opportunities of the future with them."
Richard succeeds Iain Blatherwick who has held the position since 2009 and has decided to step down after his fourth term.
Iain oversaw a period of sustained financial growth with the firm on target to have increased turnover by over £50m during the period.
This growth helped to fuel significant investment levels in infrastructure and talent which resulted in the opening of new offices in Manchester and Exeter, relocation of the firm’s Nottingham and London bases and the firm’s overall headcount and number of partners doubling over the last 10 years.
Iain Blatherwick said: "It is a real honour to have played a part in the firm’s transformation and success and I am proud of all we have achieved.
"During my time as managing partner, the firm has changed significantly in terms of size, profile, culture and depth of sector expertise but at its core remains a people focused firm that has a real appetite for delivering exceptional client service.
"It is this appetite that hasn’t changed in 10 years and will continue to remain at the heart of our strategy.
"I look forward to supporting Richard as he takes the firm forward through its next phase of development and I know he will do a fantastic job.”
Richard specialises in corporate transactional work and regularly advises organisations across the public and private sectors on high value complex projects.
Over the last couple of years he has led the Browne Jacobson teams advising on the MBO of Freshcut Foods Limited backed by Perwyn, the sale of InspHire Limited to Kerridge Commercial Systems and the sale of Gill Marine to the Myers Family and Pop Capital.
Senior partner Caroline Green said: "Under Iain’s stewardship Browne Jacobson has become one of the UK’s leading law firms.
"Iain has been a first-rate managing partner and a true reflection of our brand values.
"On behalf of the entire firm I would like to thank him for his dedication, commitment and cohesive approach over the past 10 years.
"Richard’s balanced experience that cuts across the business, government and not for profit sectors, his vision and his leadership qualities mean he is absolutely the right person to take over the reins from Iain.
"I am looking forward to working alongside him in building on Iain’s legacy and shaping the future of the business.”
