Hull-headquartered Hudgell Solicitors is to be led into a new era by two highly-respected female lawyers.
Two significant changes have seen Rachel Di Clemente arrive from Minster Law, taking over the reins from Amanda Stevens as chief executive.
Mrs Stevens takes up the role of managing director in London, focusing on the region while continuing to lead on key national strategic external relationships.
Owner Neil Hudgell said the appointments, which pave the way for southern expansion, aim to build on “a reputation for excellent client care, innovative thinking and sharp commerciality”.
Mr Hudgell, executive chairman, will continue to support the management team, while also developing the firm’s high-profile case work.
“These are important changes to the business which will ensure we have a clear focus across all key areas and highly experienced and talented people leading the way,” he said.
“I am delighted to welcome Rachel to our business at a time that demands innovative thinking, sharp commerciality and absolute excellence in client care.
“I have no doubt that her reputation as a transformational leader with an unwavering passion for client care and colleague engagement will help us to continue to succeed in an evolving legal market.
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“At the same time London and the south continues to present an array of opportunities for the business which Amanda is extremely passionate about and without doubt she is best positioned to develop for our clients.
“There is a need to develop our relationships with professionals and businesses in the south and given the work Amanda has already done, and her reputation and standing in the market place, she is the perfect fit for that task and will ensure we have complete focus on that very important area for us.”
Established in 1997, Hudgell is a litigation specialist and represents more than 10,000 clients a year in personal injury, medical negligence, criminal injuries, civil liberties, abuse and travel claims.
It has just put a team together to handle the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
Mrs Stevens, who will be based at the firm’s Fleet Street office, where she has recruited a highly-experienced team of lawyers over the past three years, said: “Having just seen through the successful implementation of our three year strategic plan and considered our future goals, it is an ideal time to now be able to devote myself to our offering in London and the south.
“I have long felt that there is a much greater lack of choice of specialist offering for injured clients in this part of the country, compared to the north. I really want to work on meeting more of that need through our specialist claims and rehabilitation offering. We have attracted some top talent to our southern legal team and I am thoroughly looking forward to supporting them and expanding what we do.”
The business has also just teamed up with AIM-listed Frenkel Topping to offer post-courtroom independent financial advice and planning expertise.
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Mrs Di Clemente joins from the BHL Group entity in Wakefield, where she sat on the board as legal services director and head of legal practice.
She said: “I’m honoured to have been given this opportunity to take on the role of chief executive at Hudgell Solicitors and lead its direction at such a pivotal time.
“To join a firm that shares my vision of how its legal services need to evolve to continue to be the best for its clients, and to have the opportunity to help translate that vision into a reality, is an absolute privilege.
“Hudgells has already taken some important steps to future proof its business, including diversification of services and the implementation of progressive workplace solutions.
“I believe that the days of ‘bigger is better’ have passed us by and there is an exciting future for unblinkered firms who are able to predict bespoke products that address what its clients really need creating new innovative ways to service them.”