Ridley & Hall expands with two Board members and plans to double turnover
Ridley & Hall, based in Huddersfield has appointed two former Simpson Millar heavyweights to join its board of directors.
Emma Pearmaine who was Director of Family Services and Anthony Elston who was previously Finance Director at Simpson Millar have both joined the practice, as it sets a course to double its turnover.
From left to right: Nigel Priestley, Senior Partner – Community Care; Sarah Young, Director – Contentious Probate & Personal Injury; James Cook, Director – Child Care & Adoption; Emma Pearmaine, Director – Family & Matrimonial; Adam Fletcher, Managing Director – Property; Anthony Elston, Finance Director
The local firm with a national reputation, which celebrates its 90th anniversary later this month, has a well-established reputation for niche legal work including Family & Matrimonial, Care & Adoption, Kinship & Community Care, Property, Court of Protection and Wills & Probate. It employs 60 people and turned over £2.5million in 2016.
Adam Fletcher, Managing Director at Ridley & Hall, says: “We are all excited about what our new management team can achieve, and feel confident in our expansion plans.
“2016 was a record year resulting from the superb performances by my fellow Directors Nigel Priestley, James Cook, Sarah Young and our staff. We have now turned our attention towards driving growth through strategic acquisitions and recruitment of further key individuals.
“This is a significant development for the firm. We are investing in the future of the business and believe we can strike the ideal balance with the help of Emma and Anthony on our Board.”
Emma, who began her career in Huddersfield and went on to win the Modern Lawyer of the Year award in 2014 for building a £3million family law practice at Simpson Millar, says the plans to expand are both exciting and realistic.
She comments: “To be part of a management team where everyone shares the same values and ambitions is exactly where I want to spend the next chapter of my career. We’re going to do something big, and something real. It will be sustainable and positive for both clients and staff.”
Anthony is the firm’s first Finance Director – having spent six years with Simpson Millar where he was a Partner and Finance Director. Over the course of his time there, he helped the firm grow from £11million turnover in 2011, to £17 million turnover in 2014.
Adam says: “Anthony’s expertise and guidance will be absolutely essential as we grow the practice to ensure a stable and exciting future for a firm which has prioritised service to the community for 90 years.”
Anthony comments: “Everyone talks of the opportunities available in legal services, and they are right – it is an exciting market to operate in. But it is also one which demands the right combination of confidence, ambition and prudence. The management team of Ridley & Hall has steered the firm into a sensible and strong position for growth and I very much look forward to keeping it on that course for many years to come.”
Ridley & Hall aims to reach £5million turnover in 2020.
The firm has received numerous national and local awards in recognition of its service to clients. The firm is currently shortlisted for three categories in the Yorkshire Legal Awards.
