Richard Hodgson

Linklaters

Richard Hodgson’s first major mandate upon making partner in 2012 was the administration of HMV. He has since carved a name for himself guiding retailers through challenging times; however, never has the distress on the high street been felt so deeply as in 2020, with Covid-19 forcing the ‘great retail restructuring’. When Intu went under in June, Hodgson worked intensively through the summer on its administration.

A torrent of casualties followed: Hodgson helped weather the storm for Victoria’s Secret’s UK business, which was saved over the summer, as well as Caffè Nero on the launch of its company voluntary arrangement (CVA). Amid the Arcadia administration saga, he is acting for KPMG as administrator on Topshop’s flagship Oxford Street store.

Meanwhile, as executive sponsor of Linklaters’ LGBT network With Pride, Hodgson led the group on the firm’s first Pride march in 2017 and last year oversaw the rollout of a mentoring programme for LGBT employees during lockdown.

Into 2021, following the new Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act and with businesses balancing on a cliff edge as government support is withdrawn, more make-or-break-retail-turnarounds are expected. Hodgson is on hand.