Former Clyde & Co chief operating officer David Jabbari has joined Pannone to head up its UK referral network, Connect2Law.

Jabbari will join the firm as a partner and chief executive of Connect2Law in the New Year in a bid to build the profile and offering of the network.

Connect2Law was set up by Pannone in 2001 and currently has 2,600 member firms across the UK. In light of increasing competition introduced by the Legal Services Act, including by players such as QualitySolicitors, Jabbari will work to boost the range of services offered by member firms as well as recognition of the brand.

Jabbari said: "Our research shows that the power of a local law firm's reputation and brand is what is important to consumers when they buy legal services. They value independent high street solicitors and face-to-face contact with people they trust.

"Connect2Law's member firms have an excellent reputation in their local areas. They are committed and expert professionals who know the law inside out. This is why I believe Connect2Law has the potential to become the UK's leading legal brand.

"As part of Connect2Law firms will gain both a supportive brand identity and greater efficiency in their internal processes."

The news comes after Jabbari left Clydes last month, one year after the merger between Clydes and legacy Barlow Lyde & Gilbert went live.

Jabbari, who played a key role in the Clydes-Barlows merger, was Barlows chief executive at the time the deal was agreed.

He joined Barlows in 2009 as chief operating officer before taking up the chief executive role the following year when former chief exec Clint Evans left the firm.