Specialist law firm elects new managing partner

Intellectual property law firm Barker Brettell has elected a new managing partner to replace Cilla Makovski, who has stood down after nine years in the role.

Andy Tranter has taken over at the Birmingham firm and will serve a three-year term, while continuing as its head of automotive.

He joined the firm in 1995 before stepping up to its leadership board in 2001.

Barker Brettell’s senior partner John Lawrence said: “We have gained a strong reputation for innovation, commitment to, and understanding of clients’ needs. We have developed our sector focus and expertise, both in areas of traditional strength for the firm such as automotive, and in other areas such as biochemistry. We have significantly raised our international capability. And we have invested in building the experience and expertise within the partner group.

“We now look forward to the future with Andy as managing partner, and, as a partnership, to formulating our strategy for the next phase of Barker Brettell’s development.”

Tranter said it was “a privilege” to have been elected to the role.

“Investment will be my focus: in our people, our IT infrastructure and our clients,” he added.

“We have enjoyed consistent growth over a number of years which has put the partnership in a strong financial position. I am delighted to serve as managing partner of Barker Brettell, and to drive further forward our firm’s growth and development.”

Barker Brettell has also appointed trade mark partner Lucy Walker to the firm’s leadership board, six years after being made partner at the firm, while patent attorney Dave Combes has become a partner.