Former Glaisyers lawyer boosts Pannones' corporate department

Glaisyers former head of company and commercial Mark Hodge has joined Pannone & Partners in Manchester as an equity partner in its corporate department.

He will spearhead the corporate finance unit in the seven-partner department as well as co-ordinating its marketing.

Hodge set up Glaisyers' company and commercial department three years ago. He will bring a portfolio of clients with him to Pannones, including two management buy outs, and two refinancings, which he said would 'keep the department busy for a while'.

He said he had decided to move from his old firm, a general practice with 10 partners, because he wanted to expand his practice in a larger firm.

Hodge approached Pannones and three other firms and was particularly attracted by the marketing role he is to have at Pannones.

He said he would be involved in attracting and keeping new clients and would also co-ordinate staff training.

Pannones managing partner Joy Kingsley said Hodge's appointment formed part of the firm's continuing expansion, with equity partners rising from 22 to 27 and a 45 per cent growth in assistants over the past year. She added: 'His move to build up the team here as well as co-ordinating the marketing effort was an opportunity too good to miss.'