Law firm appoints scaling expert as new chair
Law firm Knights has appointed David Wilson as non-executive chair with immediate effect.
Wilson has more than 30 years’ international, board-level and operational experience, having spent 12 years in senior roles, including as deputy chief executive officer at AIM-listed GB Group Plc, during which time that business grew organically and by successfully completing 14 acquisitions, scaling the group from a market cap of £14 million to £1.8 billion.
In his previous roles as chief financial officer and chief operating officer of EnviroFone Group, he helped scale up the business with revenues growing six-fold over three years. Other senior positions included roles as chief financial officer at Codemasters and EXi Group, and chief operating officer for a division of Fujitsu.
He is currently non-executive chair of AIM-listed media group, LBG Media Plc, having guided that company through its IPO in 2021, and overseeing the planning and execution of its growth strategy. He also serves as a non-executive director of musicMagpie Plc, having joined that business ahead of its IPO in 2021.
Wilson, who also becomes a member of the remuneration committee, succeeds Bal Johal, who has decided to step down from the board having served as non-executive chair of Knights since 2012. During his tenure, the group listed on AIM in 2018, and has seen significant growth both organically and through the acquisition of more than 20 independent legal and professional services firms, with revenues increasing from £9m to £142m over that period.
Chief executive David Beech said, “We are delighted to welcome Dave to Knights. He brings to our board a wealth of experience in scaling businesses organically and through acquisitions gained over a long and successful career across a number of listed and private companies. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to deliver on our strategy of further strengthening our position as a diversified, premium provider of legal and professional services with national scale.
“I would also like to personally thank Bal Johal for his immense contribution to the business over the past 11 years, during which time the group has seen significant growth.”
Wilson said, “I am excited to be taking on the role of Chair at Knights as it continues to build on its strong position as one of the largest, fully collaborative legal and professional services businesses in the country. I look forward to working with the Board, David Beech and the wider leadership team to continue to execute the group’s strategy and growth plans, and deliver value for shareholders.”
