Frontrunners emerge for Clyde & Co senior partner role
Insurance partner James Burns and disputes partner Simon Konsta are believed to be the frontrunners to lead Clyde & Co when senior partner Michael Payton steps aside next year.
Michael Payton
Sources close to the firm have also suggested that litigation partner Ben Knowles could be another leading candidate.
Payton’s decision to stand down from the senior partner role will bring an end to a 28-year leadership (30 November 2012). Chief executive Peter Hasson leads the management board and will oversee the election process. Payton will become chairman of the firm to manage the transition from November next year.
However, a source close to the firm suggested that although Konsta, who was senior partner at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert prior to that firm’s merger with Clydes, is the “obvious choice”, he may not want to stand.
They said: “James Burns has got to be up there. He must be a frontrunner from the Clydes side. On the BLG side, Kosta has done a version of the job before and in a sense is the most qualified for it and is well-versed now in the politics of the firm.
“He may have reassessed his situation after spending a year focusing more on his own practice.”
The vote for Payton’s replacement will take place on 28 February with candidates announcing their candidature early in the new year.
It follows the news that former Clydes COO David Jabbari has joined Pannone to run its referral network Connect2Law (6 December 1012).
The Lawyer examined the dynamics of Clydes’ management in the wake of last year’s £287m merger (29 October 2012).
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Readers' comments (53)
Anonymous | 15-Dec-2012 2:47 pm
The big question is whether the firm has outgrown Hassan. His excessive control was necessary when the firm was smaller but now it is the biggest brake on unleashing the energy in this firm. It is the classic 'dead hand' of management!
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Frankly Mr Shankly | 17-Dec-2012 10:24 am
It wouldn't surprise me if we see BLG reconstitute itself and spin off post-lock in, rising like a phoenix from the ashes. They are like fish out of water at Clydes. The brand still has its merits and wouldn't have the 'ABC' anchor weighing it down
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Frank Lee | 17-Dec-2012 11:23 am
I hadn't realised the position Clydes were in until I asked around. It does seem as if the inbound SP will have a lot on his or her hands given the timing for the former Barlows partners possibly leaving (with their client following) and with the other business issues. It's a wonder anyone will stand for election at all.
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Flee | 17-Dec-2012 11:33 am
BLG break out must sound appealling to many just now particularly if they are getting the 'ABC' treatment from clients. Most would be better off at one of the other insurance firms with more charisma.
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Jon recruiter | 17-Dec-2012 11:48 am
I'm sure I'm not the only legal recruiter with a hamper full of Clydes' partners and lawyers looking to move - not just ex-BLGers. Far away from a happy place.
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Mark | 17-Dec-2012 1:56 pm
Not the only one - me too. Admittedly some are harder to market than others because of the lock-in premium but these are sought after individuals ... and teams.
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Edward Gibbon | 17-Dec-2012 4:22 pm
Lesson from history - the decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the causes of destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and as soon as time or accident had removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight
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TP | 17-Dec-2012 4:47 pm
It will take some time for the tipping point to be reached though. Once the lock-ins have less than 12 months to expire, the internal structure and debt / pension gap won't be supportable.
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Vegitius | 17-Dec-2012 4:52 pm
Ah ... at last a mind at work rather than an attitude! Rome declined because they gradually entrusted the role of defending the Empire to barbarian mercenaries who eventually turned on them. Law firm leaders, take note
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Paddy | 17-Dec-2012 4:57 pm
Barbarian mercenaries - now in which firm would we find those? Let's look through the blue window.
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