'It's Time For a New Challenge': DWF Loses Former Freshfields Legal Services Star
Anup Kollanethu has vacated his post after just 10 months.
June 07, 2019 at 07:23 AM
2 minute read
Anup Kollanethu
DWF managed services head Anup Kollanethu has left the firm after just 10 months.
He joined listed firm DWF last summer from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he launched and led the Magic Circle firm's Manchester legal services centre.
Kollanethu told Legal Week: "I have enjoyed my time at DWF and I've contributed to the startup stage of DWF's strategy, but it's time for a new challenge. I now look forward to taking my own view on what the market needs."
For DWF, hiring Kollanethu from Freshfields represented a significant scalp as the firm looked to shore up its broader business capabilities ahead of its IPO, which took place earlier this year.
Kollanethu joined Freshfields in 2015. Under his leadership, the firm's Manchester centre grew into a 700-strong operation, managing much of the firm's process-led tasks, including document reviews, due diligence and verification work.
He has been replaced at DWF by RBS head of artificial intelligence for the bank's commercial and private banking business, Mark St John Qualter.
DWF CEO Andrew Leaitherland said in a statement: "Further developing our managed services capability is a strategic priority for our business. We have already indicated that £10m of the capital raised through our IPO will be used to invest in our IT infrastructure and managed services platform, and we are delighted that Mark will bring his experience and commercial acumen to this transformation programme."
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