DWF announces Sir Nigel Knowles as new chairman

DWF has announced Sir Nigel Knowles as their new chairman, effective 1 September 2017. Sir Nigel takes over from Alan Benzie who served for 10 years.

Sir Nigel retired from DLA Piper as a partner at the end of June 2016 after nearly 40 years at the firm. He is credited with spearheading the rapid globalisation of the firm into one of the world’s largest global legal businesses.

He received a knighthood in 2009 for services to the legal industry and is one of only a few people to receive this honour.

Sir Nigel Knowles said, “DWF’s approach is exciting and fresh, their focus has been and continues to be centred on their clients – and anyone who knows me understands that for me, it’s all about the clients. Andrew Leaitherland (managing partner and CEO of DWF) 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.”