New-look Burges Salmon streamlines hierarchy

The Bristol-headquartered firm has split its management committee in two, separating the department heads from the partnership committee, which is in charge of overall strategy.

Jackson, whose term as managing partner began last month, was elected on a platform of change and is keen to update the firm’s ­traditional image.

Outgoing managing partner Guy Stobart, who led the firm for 13 years, is no longer on the partnership committee and is in negotiations with the firm about his future role.

On the heads of department committee, which runs the firm’s practice groups, Catherine Hallam has replaced Michael Evans as head of private client and Richard Clark has taken over from Paul Browne as head of property.

The partnership committee now comprises Jackson, senior partner Stephen McNulty, finance partner Alan Barr, energy partner Ian Salter, real estate ­partner Paul Browne and IP partner Helen Scott-Lawler.

Jackson has also laid out the firm’s new strategy, with a renewed focus on certain key areas of strength, including energy and transport, defence and infrastructure, food and farming and ­financial services.

A firm spokesman said: “A smaller partnership committee will be able to concentrate on long-term and strategic planning, while the new heads of department committee will focus on more operational, short-term objectives.”

The changes came into force on 1 June.