Simpson Millar managing partner leaves to join Hilary Meredith Solicitors as its new CEO

Hilary Meredith Solicitors has appointed Peter Watson, the former managing partner of Simpson Millar as its new CEO.

Watson’s arrival will see founder and current CEO Hilary Meredith become chair of the business, while the firm has also recently strengthened its main board with the appointment of Zoe Holland, managing director of ZebraLC as a non-executive director.

Watson joined Simpson Millar in 1992 and held the position of Managing Partner since 1996. After the firm was taken over by Fairpoint in 2014 he was managing director of Legal Services. In his time at the firm he took Simpson Millar from a small two office firm highly dependent on one client and one work type to a multi-service top 75 national consumer law firm with 13 offices nationally.

“This is a transformational appointment for the business,” said Meredith.

“Over the last twelve months, we have enjoyed the highest profile in our history. To maintain our quality and standards but also to develop our expansion strategy we needed strong leadership from within. Peter provides this.

“He has developed a very positive reputation in the legal sector for the manner and success in which he had implemented consolidation activities. We have known each other for many years and his experience will ideally complement our ongoing expansion and growth.”

“In a market place overrun with mergers and acquisitions, Hilary Meredith Solicitors has remained fiercely independent. We now enter very exciting times ahead in our plans to grow.”

Watson said that Hilary Meredith Solicitors had an outstanding reputation and great people.

“We will be implementing an expansion strategy based on increasing our market share in existing sectors and practice areas while also diversifying and exploring new opportunities. All the building blocks are in place for a period of sustained growth.

“It is a hugely exciting time to join the business.”

Mark Dugdale