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Change of the guard at Dickinson Dees as insolvency head Blair appointed to helm

Author: ben.mitchell@legalweek.com

Published: 11/10/2007 02:59

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Dickinson Dees has installed corporate recovery chief Jonathan Blair as its new managing partner, with veteran leader Neil Braithwaite standing down after 10 years in the role.

The appointment, which follows uncontested management elections last month, will see Blair take the helm in the New Year. Robin Bloom continues in his role as the top 50 law firm’s senior partner.

Blair, who joined the 78-partner Newcastle outfit in 1989 from Wragge & Co, has been part of its senior management team for the last three years.

He has also led the corporate recovery practice for 10 years, attracting clients such as Deloitte, KPMG and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Commenting on his appointment, Blair said: “It is an honour to take up the position of managing partner, especially at such an exciting time for the firm.”

Braithwaite has overseen a solid period of growth during his tenure as managing partner with the firm recording a 14% rise in average profits per equity partner last year to hit £366,000, with the firm’s fee income standing at £56m.

Braithwaite said: “Jonathan has the ideal mix of experience, dedication and passion to drive the next stage of Dickinson Dees’ growth, having played an integral part in the partnership over the past years.”

The past 12 months also has been a period of geographical expansion for Dickinson Dees with the firm opening new offices in London and York following a surprise merger deal with local corporate boutique Philip Ashworth & Co.

Blair’s appointment will be watched by rivals for evidence that Dickinson Dees is ready to expand in earnest in London.

Earlier this year the firm unveiled plans to hive off its entire £6.5m volume business as part of a wider restructuring of its UK practice.

Blair is regarded as favouring a more expansionary strategy at the Newcastle giant, which is well known for so far focusing the bulk of its investment in its northeast heartlands.

He has also been touted as representing a younger generation of partners at Dickinsons who are less conservative than the elite regional’s veteran partners.

Legalweek.com (4 October)

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