Davis Blank Furniss, the Manchester and Glossop based law firm, has announced that Richard Hamilton, head of the property team, is the firm’s new managing partner. He takes over from Kate Oldfield who had been in the post for 15 years.
Kate will be taking up the role of senior partner and will be working alongside Richard on a number of leadership duties including business development, client liaison and marketing. She will also remain head of the personal injury and clinical negligence department.
Richard and Kate – along with their fellow equity partners, Andrew Ryan and Sonio Singh – have been preparing for the transition over the past few months. In his new position, Richard will focus on the firm’s day-to-day operations, driving its strategic growth, and continuing to develop its people and working practices.
Richard joined the firm as a trainee in 2001, he qualified into the property department in 2003, became a salaried partner in 2008 and then an equity partner in 2010. His key areas of expertise includeall aspects of commercial and residential property; from commercial property sales and purchases (offices, warehouses, retail, and licenced premises), to all aspects of commercial leases, lender security work, as well as Option Agreements, SIPP and SASS transfers and nationwide sales, purchases, and the re-mortgages of residential properties.
Kate Oldfield said: “After 15 years as managing partner I felt now was the right time to pass the baton on. Richard is an exceptional lawyer and has natural leadership qualities so I know he will do a fantastic job. He joined Davis Blank Furniss as a trainee and his career journey is testament to the fact that we are committed to developing talent from within. I’m looking forward to supporting him as we enter our next phase of growth.”
Davis Blank Furniss has also announced that Martyn Gee – the longstanding head of its Glossop office – will be retiring at the end of March. Martyn joined the firm in 1979 and over the past 44 years has become one of the High Peak’s most renowned businesspeople. Debra Kelly – who is a partner in the private client team – will be leading the Glossop office from April. She joined the firm in January 2022.
Richard said: “Kate has done an amazing job steering the firm through the economic crisis in 2008 and then COVID. Her professionalism and vision have laid the foundations for a strong future, and I am now focused on driving that forward over the coming years.
Richard added: Our decision to remain fully independent allows us to treat our clients as individuals and to always strive to deliver an outstanding level of service that is based squarely on their needs. That bespoke and caring approach will remain at the core of everything we do.
He concluded: I’d also like to thank Martyn for his dedication and service. He has been the face of Davis Blank Furniss in Glossop for over 40 years so I – along with everyone at the firm – wish him a very happy retirement. Moving forward, we are delighted that Debra is picking up the baton and I’m confident that she will lead the Glossop team to even greater successes.”
