CMS Cameron McKenna has elected its first-ever female senior partner, as UK managing director and head of energy Penelope Warne takes over the role from longstanding management figure and corporate finance partner Dick Tyler, who has said he is ‘ready for a change’.
Warne (pictured), who joined the firm in 1993 and set up the firm’s offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Rio de Janeiro and Dubai, will officially take up the post in May 2014 for a four-year term.
Warne advises clients in the oil and gas industry in the North Sea, the US, Norway, Brazil, EMEA and Russia. On her appointment, Warne said: ‘It is a privilege to be elected as senior partner. My priorities are to ensure that our clients get an exceptional service and that our partners and staff thrive in a supportive and dynamic culture.’
Outgoing Tyler has served in the senior partner role since 2011, having been managing partner at the firm between 2000-2008 and executive partner of CMS Legal Services EEIG in Frankfurt between 2008-11.
Tyler said: ‘It’s been an honour to be in leadership roles for as long as 14 years. I am very pleased with what we’ve achieved. The firm and I are both ready for a change now.’ Tyler confirmed to Legal Business that he plans to return to fee-earning when he stands down in May.
Warne’s election follows shortly in the wake of CMS partner Fiona Woolf’s appointment as Lord Mayor, and managing partner Duncan Weston added: ‘This year we’re celebrating two high flying female careers – our partner Fiona Woolf as Lord Mayor and now Penelope as our next senior partner.’
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
