DWF appoints Sir Nigel Knowles as chairman

Law firm DWF has appointed Sir Nigel Knowles, former senior partner and global co-chairman of DLA Piper, as its chairman.

Knowles received a knighthood in 2009 for services to the legal industry. He retired from DLA Piper as a partner at the end of June 2016 after nearly 40 years at the firm.

DWF posted turnover of more than £200m for the 2016/17 financial year.

Sir Nigel, who replaces Alan Benzie, said: "Andrew and his team have built something really different here. I've watched their significant progress in recent years and when Andrew talked to me about the opportunity and where he, the Board and the partners wish to take the firm, it was a very easy decision. I'm looking forward to working with Andrew and his team."

Andrew Leaitherland, Managing Partner and CEO of DWF, said: "Alan has been a fantastic Chairman over the past 10 years, helping DWF transform from a North West law firm to global legal business and we thank him for his commitment and hard work.

"Over the past few years, we have laid the foundations to create something completely different in the legal market for our clients and Sir Nigel Knowles is the perfect Chairman to help us take this forward as we develop our business – Sir Nigel is a very natural fit for DWF.”