News

Withers names Italian head as chair in bid to sharpen commercial focus

Author: georgina.stanley@legalweek.com

Published: 28/06/2007 02:10

Email article | Comment on this article | Sign up to News Alerts

Withers is to embark on a change of strategy after electing a new chairman — the first time the firm has appointed a leader from outside its esteemed private client or family practices.

The firm has named commercial head and Milan managing partner Anthony Indaimo who will take up the role on 1 July. He will succeed family law specialist Diana Parker, who will return to full-time fee earning after eight years as chairman.

The five-year appointment marks a shift in direction at the firm. Its core private client work is becoming more commercial as wealthy individuals and family-owned businesses look for expertise in corporate law, asset classes and financial instruments.

Indaimo, whose clients include the Renault F1 team and Max Mara, has been a partner with Withers since 1995 and sits on the top 50 UK firm’s partnership committee. He will continue to work as a fee earner and, in the short term, will manage both the Italian office and the commercial practice.

He expects to relocate to London within 12 months and Withers is considering looking externally for a replacement head of its commercial practice.

The firm has already been increasing its commercial work, last year launching a funds, investment and business tax group with the hire of ex-Bryan Cave counsel John Langan. The funds team was recently expanded with the hire of Appleby partner John Greenwood.

Indaimo told Legal Week: “Private client work is increasingly commercial in nature. A lot of high net-worth individuals and families now see little difference between business and domestic needs. There is a lot of cross-border M&A work and exit work. My objective is to reinforce our position.”

Indaimo will work closely with managing director Margaret Robertson and former joint managing director Bill Swift, who has taken up the role of regional senior partner for the US. The management team has been tasked with expanding the firm’s international presence.

The firm, which has more than 100 partners and a further 215 fee earners, has three US offices due to its 2002 merger with Bergman Horowitz & Reynolds. In Europe the firm also has a Geneva branch.

Job of the Week

HMRC - Opportunities Nationwide

HM Revenue & Customs Opportunities

Job of the Week

Consultant role with Nationwide

Consultant role with Nationwide

Quick Job Search

>Advanced Search