Edge & Ellison hires former police chief

Edge & Ellison has appointed Sir Ronald Hadfield, former Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police, as a consultant to the firm to oversee training and people management.

Digby Jones, senior partner, disclosed that Hadfield is one of several non-lawyers who will be appointed as consultants over the next 12 months.

He said:"It is our policy to appoint people from non-legal backgrounds, individuals who can bring experience from other walks of life. We have many hard-working clever lawyers, but we need all-rounders as well.

"Sir Ronald has excellent experience in building teams, having been in charge of 10,000 people at the second largest police force in Britain. He is held in great esteem in the West Midlands," added Jones.

Aged 57, Hadfield retired from the West Midlands force in July. He said he could "not resist the challenge on offer" and looked forward to working in a new environment.

It is understood he will be paid about £10,000 a year for around 10 hours work a week. But he will not be joining the partnership board.

Jones declined to reveal the identity of other consultants who may soon be appointed but observers suggest one of them could be an well-known regional industrialist.