Haxby takes the reins at Hammonds
CORPORATE partner Jane Haxby has been elected Manchester office head at law firm Hammonds.
She replaces Jonathan Edwards, who is set to leave the John Dalton Street-based firm to join DWF.
Miss Haxby, who describes herself as “Hammonds born and bred” told TheBusinessDesk.com she would bring “energy, passion and enthusiasm to the role.”
Although she intends to strengthen the 27-partner firm, there will be a mixture of promotions and external hires.
“We’ve three new partners being appointed from within in the next few weeks, which is great, and sends a signal that we are a firm where talent is nurtured and people can progress.
“I also accept that we will need to make some hires and there is recognition from the firm as a whole that we need to invest in Manchester.
“Clearly we want to grow in the right way – being profitable is important. We want to hire the right people as it is good to bring in new blood with new ideas.
“I am really excited to have been elected – there are challenges out there – the legal market place is changing – but I believe that challenges bring out the best in people.”
Miss Haxby started at the firm’s Leeds office as a trainee in 1993, and moved to Manchester a year later. She became a partner in 2001.
She is described by The Legal 500 2009 as an ‘excellent and pragmatic lawyer’ .
“I am determined to drive the Hammonds brand in Manchester to a stronger platform.
“I firmly believe that energy and enthusiasm are key to the firm’s success, coupled with a robust approach to business development and profile raising in the city,” she added.
She will combine her new role with that as national head of the firm’s capital markets group.
Outside of work she is a trustee of MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry.
Miss Haxby is the second female head of the Manchester office of a national firm, Pinsent Masons’ Helen Ridge was the first.
Peter Crossley, national managing partner of Hammonds, said: ‘”With Jane taking over the reins, we believe that the time is right for a change of leadership and are confident and enthusiastic about the future of the office.”
