Ridley & Hall 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 the finance director at Simpson Millar, have both joined the practice, which is set to celebrate its 90th birthday later this month. They will both join the firm’s board of directors.
Permaine began her career in Huddersfield and went on to build a £3 million family law practice at Simpson Millar. Elston is the firm’s first finance director having spent six years with Simpson Millar. Over the course of his time there, he helped the firm grow from an £11million turnover in 2011, to a £17 million turnover in 2014.
Adam Fletcher, the managing director at Ridley & Hall, said: “We are all excited about what our new management team can achieve. 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.”
Ridley & Hall aims to reach a £5 million turnover in 2020, which Pearmaine said was realistic and achievable.
“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,” she said.
“We’re going to do something big, and something real. It will be sustainable and positive for both clients and staff.”
Elston said: “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.”
Fairpoint group, the listed parent company that owns Simpson Millar went into administration last month as it said that it could no longer manage the £1 million annual rent for the company’s head office.
