National firm's new plan sets focus on selected sector groups to strengthen FTSE 100 ties

Addleshaw Goddard is to align its business around four key sector groups as part of its new five-year strategy.

The national firm has highlighted financial services, public sector, retail and consumer and real estate for growth, with the firm hoping the focus will help strengthen ties with existing clients as well as attracting new clients.

The sectors will run alongside Addleshaws' existing four main practice divisions – real estate, contentious and commercial, and finance and projects and corporate. 

Corporate partner Ian McIntosh will lead the financial services sector, infrastructure and projects head Michael O'Connor will take responsibility for the public sector group, while real estate partners Andrew Shufflebotham and Jane Hollinshead will lead the retail and real estate sectors respectively.

All four sector heads will report to Addleshaws business development director Richard Oakes, who will have overall responsibility for the structure, which is intended to increase instructions from FTSE 100 clients in particular.

Addleshaws managing partner Paul Devitt said: "We want deeper, broader relationships with larger clients – FTSE 100 and similar – where we are making real progress.  Focusing on these sector areas can really make a difference to the service we offer our clients across the board."

As part of the strategy, drawn up with the assistance of Deloitte, Addleshaws will maintain its regional focus in Manchester, Leeds and London and will also be appointing partners to oversee local development.

Internationally, Addleshaws wants to build on its relationships with local firms and expand links in the emerging markets.

Addleshaws has also re-jigged its management structure, creating an executive leadership team to replace its former management committee. The team, which will be chaired by Devitt, will consist of the four divisional heads as well as Oakes, finance director Martin Gaskin, human resources director Judith Hardy and Tim Hamilton.