Ward Hadaway’s new boss plans to double turnover

Steven Petrie took over from Martin Hulls on 1 April as managing partner of the Northern law firm, which has offices in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, where its head office is based. He wants to see 100% growth within the next 10 years.

Ward Hadaway has a strong presence in the property and construction sectors with more than 100 of its 450 staff operating in those markets.

Petrie commented: “I am extremely excited and honoured to take on the mantle of managing partner and I’m looking forward to building on the firm’s proud heritage built over more than 35 years. The management board and I have very clear ambitions for the firm, that I am keen to articulate and advocate internally and externally.

“I am determined to achieve substantial growth in each office, growing our turnover by over 50% within the next five years, and 100% in 10, in order to leverage our scale to continue to support organisations of all shapes and sizes.”

Petrie wants the firm to remain independent and maintain its values of being ‘straightforward, respectful and ambitious.’

He joined Ward Hadaway’s insolvency team in 2012 and became head of the commercial dispute resolution department, growing it to become the largest across the firm. He has been deputy managing partner for the past year.

Ward Hadaway advises major housebuilders and affordable housing providers as well as public sector organisations in health, local authority and education.