The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 44: Aug/Sept 2019 | Page 12

APPOINTED
THRINGS REAPPOINTS
SIMON HOLDSWORTH FOR
A THIRD TERM
Simon Holdsworth has been reappointed
as Thrings’ managing partner following
a unanimous vote at its annual partners’
meeting.
Simon, who joined the law firm in 1997
and became managing partner in 2013,
will oversee Thrings’ strategic direction
and retain responsibility for its legal and
operational activities for a third successive
three-year period.
He will also work closely with
department heads, partners and business
services directors at Thrings’ offices
in Swindon, Bath, Bristol, London and
Romsey to ensure the firm continues to
foster strong, long-term relationships
with clients and respond to their legal
requirements.
The reappointment acknowledges
a highly successful six-year tenure for
Simon, a period which has seen Thrings’
turnover increase by 39 per cent and the
firm restating its commitment to clients in
London and Hampshire by signing 10-year
leases on commercial premises in both
locations.
Meanwhile, Thrings has continued to
invest in clients and staff by appointing
succession and tax partner Douglas
Smith, and promoting construction lawyer
Natalia Sokolov, commercial property
specialist Robert Barnes, and residential
property expert Alice Altounyan to its
partnership.
This year also saw the launch of the
Thrings Academy – which provides an
environment for lawyers to develop the
soft and technical skills needed for their
professional development – as well as the
completion of a comprehensive review
of the firm’s recruitment policies and
processes.
Simon said, “As a business and as a
profession, we continue to face challenges
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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019
that arise from a changing legal market
and uncertainty created by the political
and economic climate. But despite this,
Thrings’ focus has remained on providing
legal services which enable its clients to
grow and succeed.
“Another of my priorities is to maintain
Thrings’ reputation as an organisation
where people enjoying working. It is
essential that the firm continues to
attract, develop and retain the very
best legal and business support talent,
offers all staff opportunities to further
their careers, and makes sure they feel
rewarded, recognised and valued for their
contribution.
“I am honoured and proud to be asked
to lead the firm until 2022. The last six
years have been enjoyable, rewarding and
challenging in equal measure, and I am
tremendously excited to have been given
the opportunity to ensure Thrings remains
a client-focused business with a one-firm
vision and philosophy.”
Jonathan Payne, senior partner at
Thrings, added, “On behalf of everyone
at Thrings, I would like to congratulate
Simon on his reappointment. He has
worked tirelessly as managing partner
over the past six years, and as a result
of his leadership, the firm is well-placed
to continue delivering an holistic legal
service which provides clients with first-
class advice at all times.”
New managing
partner at RSM
Leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM
has appointed Mike Blain as its new office
managing partner in Swindon.
Mike takes over the reins from Sharon
Omer-Kaye who takes on a new role to
lead the firm’s private client business
across the Thames Valley and the West of
England.
Mike is an experienced accounting and
financial reporting partner who works
with a wide range of clients from owner
managed businesses, foreign owned
subsidiaries to larger corporates.
He has particular experience in the
engineering, technology, media and
telecoms, and professional practices
sectors and regularly provides specialist
strategic advice to middle market
entrepreneurial businesses.
Mike’s arrival adds further strength
to the Swindon office’s partner line-up,
joining Sharon Omer-Kaye, Neil Elsden
and Zoe Martin in the senior team.
Mike said, “I’m very excited to be taking
on this new role in Swindon. The town has
an incredibly vibrant business community,
and I look forward to working closely with
local business owners and corporates to
help them achieve their strategic goals.
“As the only top 10 firm in Swindon,
and with an international network which
spans some 120 countries, RSM is well-
positioned to support local middle market
businesses and larger corporates, and I
can see real opportunities for us to build
our brand and grow our business.”
EXPANSION FOR LOCAL
FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM
Bourlet Consulting, the specialist financial planning firm based at Hartham Park,
Corsham, has welcomed two new recruits to cope with growing demand.
Richard Day has joined as Practice Manager and Verity Ferris as a trainee Paraplanner,
bringing the total number of employees to eight.
Richard began his career in marketing before moving into senior management roles in
organisations such as RAC and National Trust, and brings a wealth of business experience
to the team. Graduating with a degree in law, Verity, brings strong customer service skills
to the organisation and is studying for her Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
Robert Johnson, Director, said, ”Both appointments come at a crucial time for us as
we have seen the business grow organically over the last few years, to the point that we
needed to add a strong framework to give us the capacity to help all those who look to us
for financial advice.”