Cheshire law firm gets new CEO
Appointments are sponsored by family law firm Hall Brown
Cheshire-based Hilary Meredith Solicitors has appointed Peter Watson as its new chief executive as the firm gears up for a period of national expansion.
Peter Watson joins from national consumer firm Simpson Millar. Watson joined Simpson Millar in 1992 and held the position of managing partner since 1996 and more latterly managing director of legal services following the acquisition of Simpson Millar by Lancashire-headquartered Fairpoint PLC in 2014.
In his time as managing partner he took Simpson Millar from a small two office firm highly dependent on one client and one work type to a multi service top 75 national consumer law firm with 13 offices nationally.
Watson’s arrival will see founder and current chief executive Hilary Meredith become chair of the business, while the firm has also recently strengthened its main board with the appointment of Zoe Holland, managing director of ZebraLC as a non-executive director.
Meredith said: “This is a transformational appointment for the business. Over the last 12e months, we have enjoyed the highest profile in our history.
“To maintain our quality and standards but also to develop our expansion strategy we needed strong leadership from within. Peter provides this.
“He has developed a very positive reputation in the legal sector for the manner and success in which he had implemented consolidation activities. We have known each other for many years and his experience will ideally complement our ongoing expansion and growth.”
She added: “In a market place overrun with mergers and acquisitions, Hilary Meredith Solicitors has remained fiercely independent. We now enter very exciting times ahead in our plans to grow.”
Watson said: “Hilary Meredith Solicitors has an outstanding reputation and great people.
“We will be implementing an expansion strategy based on increasing our market share in existing sectors and practice areas while also diversifying and exploring new opportunities. All the building blocks are in place for a period of sustained growth. It is a hugely exciting time to join the business.”
Hilary Meredith Solicitors has offices in Wilmslow and London.
