National law firm Bevan Brittan has appointed Nick Hodgson as its new finance director based in its Bristol head office.
Nick, pictured, joins after eight years at international law firm Simmons & Simmons, where he was initially finance controller for its Middle East operations and then senior finance systems development manager in the UK.
In this latter post, he worked on implementing Microsoft’s ERP (enterprise resource planning) system – a first the legal sector at the time. Before Simmons & Simmons, he was finance director at M4 co
rridor firm Thrings for more than two years.
Nick will also oversee Bevan Brittan’s replacement of its case and practice management system, which is due to go live later in the year. This investment will move Bevan Brittan – which also has offices in Birmingham, London and Leeds- onto market-leading software and produce increased efficiencies as the firm continues to upgrade its IT real estate.
Nick said: “Bevan Brittan has a fantastic reputation and it is clear it is a firm with a solid financial infrastructure. This is a great time to join as the firm continues to invest for the future. The opportunity to work with such an ambitious and progressive firm was extremely attractive and I am looking forward to being part of Bevan Brittan’s continued success.”
Bevan Brittan managing partner Duncan Weir added: “I am delighted that Nick has joined us. He has proven, senior experience in financial management in the legal sector and joins us as we continue to grow. I am sure he will be a great fit for the firm.”
Bevan Brittan employs 52 partners and nearly 400 staff working with a range of clients including all England’s local authorities, a third of all NHS bodies, 40 housing associations and more than 100 private sector companies delivering public services throughout the UK.
Bevan Brittan has also made a number of promotions across the firm including new partners Nathan Bradberry (commercial & infrastructure) and Laura Brealey (procurement), senior associates are Jess Evans and David Moore (both commercial & infrastructure).
Its newly promoted associates are Zara Rattray and Charlotte Kendrick (both commercial & infrastructure), Simon Boyes (property), Jodie Hemming, Hannah Dell, Lauren Halliday, Will Pickles and Emma Timmons (all clinical risk) and Jas Basra (employment & pensions).
Bevan Brittan senior partner Joanne Easterbrook said: “Eight out of our 13 promotions (60%) are female lawyers – consistent with our business strategy to encourage gender equality and diversity among our partnership and staff.
“Many of our successful candidates are also home-grown talent who began their legal career with us as trainees. To see them grow into confident, technically strong lawyers, who continuously receive positive client feedback means our firm has a very healthy future.”
