Strategic advice to Law firms

Macfarlanes’ Charles Martin with William Nell of Signium Global reach MANAGEMENT PARTNER OF THE YEAR local knowledge SPONSORED BY SIGNIUM

CHARLES MARTIN

SETTING THE TONE FOR STRIKING PERFORMANCE was ostensibly a deal machine started to limp on the back of OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS the recession. Martin’s energy in pushing the firm to be brave Senior partner Martin has been at the centre of each impressive and broaden its o£ering resulted in the firm convincingly turn this City deals heavyweight has made, not least becoming getting its mojo back. one of the strongest-performing firms in the LB100 over the In a conspicuously early move demonstrating full last five years. Revenue grew 70% from the £94.7m posted in confidence in his leadership, the partnership re-appointed 2010/11, while PEP went from £752,000 to £1.3m – a 73% jump. Martin for another three years at the start of 2016. His The recent success has been a result of the drive to adapt existing term does not expire until May 2017, seeing him and reconfigure the practice mix at Macfarlanes after what lead the firm until May 2020. HIGHLY COMMENDED 47 offices TIM EYLES increase in PEP, at a time when direct MARK RIGOTTI; Taylor Wessing competitors experienced declining or SONYA LEYDECKER 32 countries Since being re-elected uncontested flat revenues. Financial growth has not Freehills for a third term as managing partner been dampened by investment, with While sensitivities over the integration in 2015, Eyles has recently presided the launch of a Johannesburg o£ice in of legacy firms Herbert Smith and over strong performance at this top January one recent example. Australian leader Freehills have endured 25 LB100 firm. It has been under since the union was agreed in 2012, Eyles that the firm has begun to JOHN JOYCE the pairing of Leydecker and Rigotti look like an aspiring global player, delivered the firm’s best post-merger and his initiatives to foster a culture Widely viewed as leading a revenue performance yet in 2015/16. that recognises achievement have renaissance at this national been critical. powerhouse, Joyce was re-elected JOHN WESTWELL uncontested for a second term as the Foot Anstey RICHARD FOLEY firm continued its growth through Westwell has led by example and is significant mergers, including the widely credited with being a catalyst Our 2016 of the Year acquisition of HBJ Gateley’s three for impressive growth at this south continues to impress and it is under o£ices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and west-based firm. Under Westwell, the guidance of Foley that on a Glasgow, as well as discussions with Foot Anstey has moved away from Executive search & consulting three-year track the firm has seen German firm Luther and US firm high-volume, low-cost instructions to revenue growth of 24% and a 36% Hunton & Williams. focus on specialist sectors. www.signium.com

50 LEGAL BUSINESS AWARDS  Strategic advice to Law firms

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LEGAL BUSINESS AWARDS 2017 51