DWF has appointed Pinsent Masons head of financial institutions and human capital Stephen Miles to take over from managing partner Andrew Leaitherland as chief executive officer (CEO) of its commercial services division.
Miles (pictured) will be a member of both DWF’s executive and strategic boards and will report directly to Leaitherland who, prior to this appointment, was undertaking the commercial CEO responsibilities in addition to his managing partner and overall CEO role.
On joining, longstanding Pinsents partner Miles will be responsible for executing the firm’s commercial services strategy. DWF’s commercial services division accounts for approximately £100million of turnover (with the remainder attributable to insurance services), employs over 600 people and has 194 partners. The division’s core strengths are in corporate, banking, employment, litigation and real estate across 12 locations in the UK and Ireland.
Miles will also work closely with chief operating officer Natalie Griffin, who is responsible for operational management within the commercial services division, as well as the three commercial services practice group heads: Nic Crocker; Graham Dagnall; and Alasdair Peacock.
During his time at Pinsents, Miles led its banking and restructuring, financial regulation, and employment and pensions practices, and, in his capacity as a transactional banking lawyer, acted for both financial institutions and corporates including the national acquisition and leveraged finance teams of The Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and HSBC.
Leaitherland said: ‘This role is critical to the future development of commercial services at DWF and Stephen’s wealth of management experience, his strong leadership track record and his impressive understanding and insight into changing client needs will give us an exceptional platform for future growth.’
Miles added: ‘DWF is a forward-thinking and ambitious business which is looking to cement its position in the UK top 20 and there is a real opportunity here for me to help develop the firm’s national reputation for commercial legal services and deliver significant growth across the UK. I’m very excited by the prospect of this new challenge.’
Francesca.fanshawe@legalease.co.uk
