Burges Salmon has appointed employment partner Chris Seaton as senior partner, taking over the role from Alan Barr, who has served as senior partner of the firm for the last six years.
Seaton will take over the role on 1 May for a four year term and will continue in his client-facing role as a partner in the firm’s employment team where he acts for a large number of multinational clients and coordinates employment advice across a wide range of jurisdictions.
Seaton takes over from current incumbent Barr, who served and extended six-year term as senior partner.
Speaking to Legal Business, Seaton said it was too early to provide detail on his plans as senior partner of the firm: ‘I am looking to continue the very successful strategy that we have in play and Alan had done a great job and I am looking to continue that. Obviously when I am in the role I will be planning to put my footprint on it, but it is still the appointment stage.’
Peter Morris, Burges Salmon’s managing partner added: ‘Chris brings to his new role an excellent track record as a client partner and the firm’s lead on international work and relationships.’
Top-50 UK firm Burges Salmon maintained a sixth year of growth for the financial year 2015/16, increasing turnover 8% to £87.4m, from £80.8m in 2014/15.
The firm also lifted profit per equity partner by 7%, up to £525,000, in the financial year ending 30 April. The increase saw PEP break the £500,000 mark, after it grew 11% the previous year to £485,000.
The growth followed the firm announcing a new strategy in 2016, narrowing its sector expertise onto seven clear areas: transport, infrastructure, private wealth, real estate, energy, financial services and the public sector.
In January the firm took on funds partner Jeremy Bell from Ashurst. Bell has experience advising on the structuring and formation of private investment funds across the alternative asset classes as well as advising on investment into funds.
kathryn.mccann@legalease.co.uk
