Regional law firm Foot Anstey has hailed its success in luring its new group HR director from a London-based global firm as proof that a recruitment marketing campaign targeting senior talent in the capital is paying off.
Felix Hebblethwaite, pictured, will join Foot Anstey’s Bristol office next month after spending 18 years with City-headquartered Linklaters, most recently working as its global head of recruitment & resourcing. 
Foot Anstey, which also has offices in Exeter, Plymouth, Southampton, Taunton and Truro as well as a base in London, has been proactive in encouraging top performers from City firms to join it.
This has included launching a campaign called ‘Freedom Awaits’ aimed at partners and other senior talent in which highlights the personal and professional aspects of a career at Foot Anstey, with it stresses no compromise on the quality of work.
The campaign runs under the tag line: “If you’re looking for just another City partner role with just another City firm, look away now!”
It goes on to urge prospective candidates not to “settle for living and working in London, when they’d really much rather be somewhere else” and says its lawyers are not “prepared to settle for a more traditional firm”.
“They wanted more freedom. More autonomy. More trust. More support to pursue their own goals. More collaboration,” it adds. 
In his new role at Foot Anstey, Felix will take leadership of its HR function, which is responsible for helping to achieve the firm’s vision and strategy and growing a culture to help talented people succeed and achieve their potential.
At Linklaters – one of the five so-called Magic Circle international firms headquartered in the City – he worked across a broad range of senior HR roles and has a particular focus on recruiting diverse talent and creating an inclusive workplace.
This included leading on the introduction of Linklaters’ Women’s Leadership Programme as well as developing a strong focus on social mobility and successfully achieving ethnicity recruitment targets.
Foot Anstey partner and head of real estate Martin Hirst, pictured, who will become its managing partner on 1 May, said: “This is an exciting and important hire for Foot Anstey. Felix is a strategic thinker with a track record for delivering positive change.
“He will bring invaluable experience as we pursue our growth ambitions and navigate what continues to be a fiercely competitive market for talent.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Felix to the firm and working together to support our continued growth.”
Felix Hebblethwaite added: “People are the driving force behind a successful business and I am looking forward to contributing to Foot Anstey’s ambitious plans for future growth.
“A priority for me will be to continue to build a high-performing culture where talented individuals can fulfil their potential. I am really excited about joining the firm.”
Foot Anstey has grown strongly over the past 15 years, opening its offices in Bristol and Southampton, increasing staffing levels to more than 600 people and lifting revenues from £20m to more than £50m.
