Law firm adds new director to 400-strong team

The largest law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire has hired an experienced compliance specialist to lead its risk and governance team.

Jody Evans has joined Wilkin Chapman, bringing with her over a decade of experience in law firm risk and compliance. The director of risk and governance is a new role for the firm.

Evans said: “My job is to help the firm remain compliant, creating governance structures to embed risk awareness across all roles and areas. It’s effectively a dual role – supporting the business in making sure that effective processes exist and are followed, and making sure clients receive the best service possible and are protected in their instructions with us.

“In the rare instances where things go wrong, my team and I will manage those incidents to ensure a good outcome, review how the issue has happened, and take steps to help reduce the risk of future recurrence.

“I’ll be helping to create and implement a strategy to ensure the firm, its people and its clients are protected as much as possible.”

As well as ensuring the firm is compliant, Evans’ role also sees her taking a lead in driving Wilkin Chapman’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities.

She added: “Wilkin Chapman already does a lot of fantastic things, particularly in the local community as well as implementing operational changes to ensure we’re more environmentally aware and sustainable. However, previously there hasn’t been a role, or strategy, to spearhead and coordinate those efforts.

“My role looks to change that by bringing all of that activity in line with the firm’s strategy, and ensuring we are measuring, monitoring and reporting those activities. It’s a chance to reset, further embed ESG into our culture, and bring all the great work that’s already happening together in a more coordinated way.”

Wilkin Chapman employs over 400 people throughout Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.