DWF reorganises group in ‘cornerstone’ move for growth

DWF is to reorganise its business with the aim to “seamlessly combine” its services to clients.

It will operate with three divisions to support its single Integrated Legal Management approach.

Sir Nigel Knowles

Chief executive Sir Nigel Knowles said: “This is the next natural step in the development of our modern, global business and it is a cornerstone of the three-year business plan we have developed since my appointment.”

Sir Nigel took over from long-standing chief executive Andrew Leaitherland last May after three years as chairman of the law firm.

The new structure, which will become operational in May, will see the group combine its commercial, insurance and international divisions into a legal advisory division.

Mindcrest, which is the US and Indian business that provides outsourced and process-led legal services that it acquired last year, will also incorporate the firm’s UK managed services team.

The third division, connected services, brings together its non-legal services such as claims management, costs and regulatory consulting. It will also house DWF Ventures, the group’s technology R&D arm.

Kirsty Rogers

The management changes include recent recruit and Leeds managing partner Allison Page become regional managing partner for the UK and Ireland.

Kirsty Rogers, the managing partner of DWF’s Manchester office, has been appointed as group head of ESG.

Sir Nigel added: “We believe this gives us a truly differentiated proposition in the legal services market, and that it positions us for the next phase of our development as we strive to become the leading global provider of integrated legal and business services.”