Press releases
HFW Elects Global Group Heads, Forms New Management Board
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has elected new global group heads and formed a new Management Board as it seeks to accelerate growth across its international network.
Key changes include Mert Hifzi being elected as the new head of HFW's global aerospace group, following the previous head Giles Kavanagh's election as the firm's Global Senior Partner; Michael Sergeant being elected as the new head of construction, with the previous head Carolyn Chudleigh elected as head of corporate and commercial; and Christopher Foster being elected as the new head of insurance and reinsurance. Geneva-based Olivier Bazin has been appointed as the firm's new head of finance.
Alistair Feeney and Paul Dean were re-elected as heads of the firm's leading commodities and shipping groups, respectively.
HFW's group and practice heads form the firm's new Management Board, alongside Managing Partner Jeremy Shebson, new Global Senior Partner Giles Kavanagh, Chief Operating Officer Sid Welham, Chief Financial Officer Hamedeh Ghobadian, Global HR Director Corrin Kaye and external Board member Harry Nicholson, who previously held UK, EMEIA and global leadership roles as a partner at EY-Parthenon – EY's strategy consulting arm.
It is the first time that HFW has appointed an external Board member, and the first time that its Board has featured a representative from the firm's HR department.
HFW has also appointed three new office heads across its global network: Yaman Al Hawamdeh in Dubai, Amanda Kujda in Houston, and Jean-Marc Zampa in Paris.
Jeremy Shebson, Managing Partner, HFW:
"I am very pleased to welcome our newest Board members, group leads and office heads. They are joining our senior management team at a very important time for HFW, as we look to really ramp up our growth across our core sectors, services and international network.
"As we embark upon a period of expansion and change, we felt it would be particularly beneficial to have some external perspective on the Board, and Harry Nicholson brings significant experience, having helped build EY-Parthenon from a start-up to a global strategy consulting team of 1,800. Our new Board also for the first time includes representation from HR, reflecting our focus on our people and the critical role they play in our success as a business."
The new Board will govern and drive HFW's business and operations, including financial performance, strategy, structure and staffing, partnership interests, and client management.
HFW continues to strengthen and expand its offering to clients. The firm recently added to its fast-growing Australia business with the hire of a disputes team in Perth led by the former State Solicitor for Western Australia; launched in Denmark with the recruitment of market leading shipping lawyer Jens Mathiasen; and opened a new office in the British Virgin Islands with the acquisition of a leading disputes practice.
About HFW
HFW is a leading global law firm in the aerospace, commodities, construction, energy, insurance, and shipping sectors. The firm has more than 600 lawyers, including 185 partners, based in offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. HFW prides itself on its deep industry expertise and its entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative culture.
For further information, please contact:
Chris Johnson
Head of Communications
D +44 (0)20 7264 8159
M +44 (0)7976 939864
E chris.johnson@hfw.com
