More key hires on way as Mills & Reeve targets £10m

NATIONAL law firm Mills & Reeve is looking to further bolster its North West commercial offering as Manchester office head Mark Hovell targets growing fee income from £8m to more than £10m.

Mr Hovell, who led his previous firm, George Davies, into a merger with Mills & Reeves a year ago, says the enlarged firm is in growth mode and has an appetite to “recruit more quality people”, having recently added former Pannone duo Philip Treanor (corporate) and Simon Pedley (commercial disputes) to his 100-strong team.

He told TheBusinessDesk.com: “We are well, placed to continue to grow and are seeing a stream of interesting CVs.

“I think, after so many casualties in Manchester, partners are now doing more due diligence than before, and as Mills & Reeve is debt free, as George Davies was too, I believe we are attractive.”

Mr Hovell, a highly-regarded sports lawyer, believes the improved economic outlook may also prompt more mobility among disaffected partners and clients too.

“When times are tough the instinct is to keep your head down, but as things pick up, people who have sat still, may be looking for a new challenge, and we can offer that.”

Nationally Mills & Reeve has strengths in healthcare, education, technology and agriculture. Its Manchester office is at Number One New York Street.