Ashurst turns to Allen & Overy for hire of first global HR director
Ashurst has created the role of global human resources (HR) director in a move to formalise the firm’s international HR operations.
Charlie Geffen
The firm has signed up a senior member of Allen & Overy’s (A&O) HR team for the role, which follows the announcement of a merger with Australian firm Blake Dawson.
A&O associate director of HR Sasha Hardman has left the magic circle firm after six years, joining Ashurst this month. She was previously at PricewaterhouseCoopers for 15 years.
Hardman is currently in talks with Ashurst’s senior management over the exact details of the new role. Global HR matters were previously dealt with by senior partner Charlie Geffen and managing partner Simon Bromwich.
Hardman will complement HR associate director Stuart Walker, who has held the role since 1995 and will now report to Hardman.
Geffen said in a statement: “We’re committed to continuing to build the firm around outstanding people and to promote a culture which encourages the most ambitious to thrive. Sasha will bring a great deal of energy and expertise to our people agenda and we look forward to welcoming her to the firm.”
Hardman said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining Ashurst. The firm’s undergoing a period of transformational change and there’s a real commitment to the people agenda. I look forward to building upon the firm’s existing initiatives in this area.”
Ashurst has announced a merger with Australian firm Blake Dawson (26 September 2011) but has not finalised how its partner rumeneration lockstep will work globally (3 October 2011).
