Pre-merger Howard Kennedy to cut 10 support staff roles
Howard Kennedy has put 10 support staff on redundancy consultation ahead of its planned merger with Finers Stephens Innocent (FSI).
Mark Dembovsky
The firm said the redundancies were a result of a review of the firm’s internal structure and were not triggered by the merger talks with FSI.
A statement read: “We’re continuously reviewing the structure of the firm and it’s important to stress that this is a standalone Howard Kennedy restructuring process and not related to the merger with Finers Stephens Innocent in any way.
“We’re aiming to make as minimal redundancies as possible with only 10 support roles at risk.”
It comes amid delays to the planned £45m merger between the two firms, which will now go ahead in February instead of November as initially planned (19 November 2012).
Earlier this month Howard Kennedy chief executive Mark Dembovsky told The Lawyer that there would be no large scale reduction of fee-earners and that delays to the merger process had come from issues with “back office alignment”, rather than people (5 November 2012).
Support staff were notified of the consultation yesterday. It is believed that there are currently no similar redundancies planned at FSI.
The merger is being led by Dembovsky and FSI managing partner Paul Millett (8 August 2012). The combined firm will have 351 staff including 88 partners and 125 fee-earners, and a total revenue of £45m, pushing it into the top 60 of The Lawyer UK 200.
View results 10 per page | 20 per page | 50 per page
Readers' comments (36)
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 1:06 pm
It is correct that in a previous round of redundancies, everyone was put in a room and then when you got back to your desk, if you had an email you were up for redundancy. But then, in the last round of redundancies earlier this year, affecting partners and one senior associate, HK changed tack and decided that rather than just tell those involved, they would send a firmwide email naming all of those affected. So those poor individuals were indeed paraded in front of the firm - nice and discreet and caring.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 3:19 pm
nice to see the recruitment/head-hunting industry has time on its hands this afternoon to post disruptive comments. the disgusting way it goes around trying to dislodge people is the only thing that makes toes curl!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 3:45 pm
I'd be very worried if I was a fee earner at HK right now re the comment at 9.55am, obviously someone who knows the plan of action;
'I also hope that the combined firm, upon merger, trims some of its fee earner headcount - there will be some duplications and there certainly are some fee earners around the edges who are not producing. Again, commercial sense.'
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 4:02 pm
True. So they learnt from being too transparent and still get kicked for trying to do the right thing? Is there any winning when it comes to the awful reality of redundancies? Of course not. Unless you have a better idea?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 4:05 pm
Unbiased point of view here as I don't work in this industry. Redundancies should be made aware to "ALL" employees first, they shouldn't have to read it in the press. It's not rocket science!!!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 4:14 pm
Micky Mouse firm
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 4:27 pm
This firm beggers belief. Hope they don't get rid of too many staff as I am in no doubt they will have trouble recruiting anybody to join them!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 4:36 pm
There are no 'recruitment/head-hunters posting disruptive comments' these comments are the truth and maybe are proving a bit hard to swallow, shambles.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 4:39 pm
Good luck FSI!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 23-Nov-2012 4:43 pm
The reputation of this firm will always be in ruins due to appalling treatment of staff. Current management aren't getting it right. Good luck FSI!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment