Geldards strengthens Commercial Property and Public Services teams with partner and senior associate hires

Law firm Geldards has bolstered its Commercial Property team with the appointment of experienced public sector partner Neil Walker.

Walker previously spent 11 years at Browne Jacobson, most recently as Legal Director in the Built Environment team.

Geldards said Walker brings with him more than 25 years’ experience “having forged a career specialising in property development, investment and dealing with complex regeneration and commercial property projects for the public sector”.

Walker’s appointment follows the appointment of Owen Willcox, a Senior Associate who joined the Public Services team at the beginning of June.

Wilcox returns to Geldards, having previously worked for the firm for three years in a public sector role and joins from Thomson Reuters where he was Senior Public Procurement Editor in the Public Law team.

Commenting on the appointments, Geldards Chairman David Williams said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Neil to the Commercial Property  team, his Public Sector expertise will build on the huge success the team has already achieved.

“We are also delighted to welcome back Owen, his broad-ranging knowledge and experience will further boost our Public Services team. Geldards enjoy an excellent reputation advising on major regeneration projects, providing complex specialist legal advice and we are delighted that both these appointments will strengthen our offer further.”

Walker, who joined at the beginning of July, said: “I’m delighted to have joined and to have been so warmly welcomed by Geldards, a firm with a great reputation in many areas, including work for the public sector.

“I am looking forward to working with David, Owen, fellow Public Sector partners Paul Hilsdon and Clare Hardy and our colleagues in the wider teams in further developing our public sector practice and offer, and in delivering great service to our local authority and other public sector clients.”

Geldards last month appointed Frank McArdle, former chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, as a consultant in its Public Sector team.