Hill Dickinson has hired former Alterian deputy chairman Iain Johnston as its first chief operating officer (COO).
The appointment comes as part of a restructure of Hill Dickinson’s senior management team last month, which also saw the appointment of the firm’s first chief executive officer and chairman.
Managing partner Peter Jackson became the firm’s CEO and senior partner David Wareing was appointed as chairman. At the time the firm also revealed it was looking to hire its first COO to take over the operational duties previously carried out by the managing partner.
Before joining Hill Dickinson 18 months ago as a non-executive director Johnston spent 11 years running data intelligence company GB Group Plc. He also spent 13 years working with Bristol-based database marketing group Alterian Plc as a non-executive director.
In addition Johnston worked as CEO at the Loewy Group, before it was purchased for £100m by Writtle Holdings, and chairman of Event Marketing Solutions.
Hill Dickinson CEO Jackson said: “I am delighted to welcome Iain to Hill Dickinson. His arrival marks the next step for us in terms of understanding and maximising the commercial advantage that technology has brought to some of the complex and evolving markets we operate in. Iain will be key to us accelerating our growth journey whilst delivering an outstanding client experience. I look forward to working with him over the coming years.”
A number of UK firms have brought in COOs to help run their businesses this year. In May Nabarro appointed Shiree Murdoch as its first COO. The hire was made as part of a reshuffle of Nabarro’s senior management team, which saw real estate partner Ciaran Carvalho elected as senior partner.
Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) recently appointed Justin Young as its new COO. Young joined HFW from Clifford Chance where he worked for six years as regional general manager for South East Asia. Young replaced Alastair Mitchell who left to become Pinsent Masons’ first COO.
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