Horwich Farelly, a legal adviser to the insurance and commercial sectors, has appointed Andrew Leaitherland to serve as its new strategic advisor.
A veteran of the legal industry, Leaitherland had previously served as a managing partner of DWF, then as chief executive officer of DWF Group plc for 16 years. Under his leadership, DWF grew from a 430-strong team in North West England into an international firm with 4,300 employees across 33 locations around the globe.
Leaitherland also helped float DWF Group plc on the main market of the London Stock Exchange in March 2019, a release said. He left in May 2020 to build businesses within the legal sector.
“I am delighted to be taking up this role in a law firm that is so successful within the insurance market – a sector I know very well – but which is also fast expanding into a host of other areas where they can bring their agile and innovative approach to understanding the commercial needs of clients and resolving their commercial issues,” commented Leaitherland on his appointment. “I am truly excited to be working alongside Ronan, John and the management team in this innovative and rapidly growing business.”
“Even without the current crisis, the legal market is changing faster than ever with increasing pressures on improving efficiencies without compromising quality,” said Horwich Farrelly managing partner and CEO Ronan McCann.
McCann added how Leaitherland was successful at growing DWF from “a £29 million turnover business to over £330 million – it is that kind of experience that Horwich Farrelly is interested in as it enters its growth phase.
“I know Andrew well from his time at DWF and, like all at Horwich Farrelly, he is results-driven, pragmatic but commercially focused and places great value on team leadership, development and engagement,” stated Horwich Farrelly chairman John O’Roarke. “He is as excited by the ambitious plans we have for Horwich Farrelly as we are and is a great addition to the team as we look to expand in the future.”
