New Taylor Wessing head targets profitability

Taylor Wessing’s UK managing partner Gary Moss is to step down in October at the end of his three-year term.

He will be replaced by Mike Frawley, a high-profile partner within the firm who is the head of insolvency and the dispute resolution department.

Several partners were considered for the position during a consultation process, with Frawley eventually emerging as the overall winner.

Moss, who did not stand for a second term, said that Frawley had emerged as “the people’s favourite”.

He had done a good job as head of the dispute resolution team for two years, added Moss, had proved himself capable at management and administration and had a good profile among the fee-earners and employees.

Frawley, who was also appointed head of the credit control committee in 2001, is widely acknowledged within the firm as responsible for improving Taylor Wessing’s working capital position.

Last year the firm reduced debtor days by approximately eight days, from 64.5 to 57. The dual-qualified New Zealand lawyer, who lists his interests as “sports cars, art, wine and food”, is also something of a colourful character; he was the 1985 national New Zealand wine-tasting champion.

“Raising profitability in the UK will be an immediate target,” said Frawley. “We’re holding our own but we can do better. I’ll also be working on implementing our strategy and international integration.”
Frawley added that the new head of dispute resolution would be announced in August. Nick Moser is believed to be taking over as head of credit control and Alison Goldthorpe becomes head of insolvency.