The Leeds insolvency head at DLA Mark Jackson has fought off competition from London banking partner David Hughes to take a place on the management board.
The place became available after corporate partner Alastair da Costa gave up his position to take over as head of corporate. (It is not possible for group heads or office managing partners to also have a place on the management board.)
“Their platforms were similar,” said a DLA source. “They’d give the independent views of working partners to keep a check on corporate management, the view of someone at the coalface.”
It is understood that the election was a close run thing. “It may have been a North-South issue,” added the source. “Partners in Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds may have voted to counter the
London presence.” Jackson’s predecessor da Costa is also Leeds-based.
Both are long-term partners at the firm. Jackson came from the Dibb Lupton side, whereas Hughes is an ex-Alsop Wilkinson partner.
Jackson will also continue to hold his position as location head of insolvency in Leeds.
“Mark’s been with the firm for the whole of his professional life and has made a tremendous contribution,” said managing partner Nigel Knowles.