Member News
A leading full-service Northern law firm has announced 8 promotions within its Newcastle office, including a partner and a director, across its highly skilled and experienced team.
Promotions in Ward Hadaway’s Quayside base account for 44% of the firm’s overall promotions this year, mirroring its continued growth in the North East. This aligns with ambitious expansion plans announced recently by Steven Petrie, the firm’s managing partner, to achieve turnover of £75 million by 2029.
Alongside the partner and director level promotion, four were made at associate level with two becoming managing associates. Newly promoted partner Rob Eldon works in the commercial litigation team. Rob has sector-leading expertise in advising businesses on complex commercial disputes and has been instrumental in several high-profile cases. He joined the firm over a decade ago and his progression to partner highlights the importance of nurturing talent and fostering professional growth at Ward Hadaway.
Steven Petrie, managing partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “These promotions are a testament to our strategic growth and investment in our people. Each of our offices - Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle - have consistently demonstrated excellence and a commitment to our clients that is truly commendable.
“Promotions are not just about recognising individual achievements but also about reinforcing our collective strength as a firm. We believe in empowering our people to reach their full potential, and this wave of promotions is a direct reflection of that ethos. By developing our team’s expertise, we are better equipped to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape and drive forward our ambitious goals.”
Katy Milner, a key member of Ward Hadaway's public sector real estate team specialising in the property aspects of public sector projects and education, has been promoted to director. Carolyn Akerman and Liam Stubbs are now managing associates within the real estate and corporate teams. Jamie Guy, Vikki Alexander, Louise Spedding and Daniyal Malik have been promoted to associates within their respective fields of corporate, plot sales, real estate and commercial litigation.
Rob Eldon commented: “Having started at Ward Hadaway as a trainee, I am incredibly proud to step into this new role and continue contributing to our firm’s success. Ward Hadaway has provided me with exceptional opportunities for growth and development.
“The commercial litigation landscape is ever-changing, and I’m eager to use my experience to support our clients through these challenges. These promotions reflect our firm’s dedication to recognising and rewarding talent, which is crucial for attracting and retaining top legal professionals and ensuring our clients receive the highest quality advice.”
