National Law Firm Announces Appointment

Irwin Mitchell announces today that Glyn Barker has been appointed Chairman Designate as the company continues its preparations to become an Alternative Business Structure (ABS).

The news comes just days after the leading national law firm confirmed that it has begun the application process to become an ABS and sees Mr. Barker, who was Vice Chairman UK of PricewaterhouseCoopers until the end of 2011, join Irwin Mitchell initially as Chairman Designate.

The timing of his appointment as Chairman – and the first non-executive appointment to the Board of Irwin Mitchell Holdings Ltd – will be dependent on the approval of the firm’s ABS application and approval of Mr. Barker’s appointment by the SRA.

John Pickering, Irwin Mitchell’s Group Chief Executive, said Barker’s appointment was the latest step in the firm’s planning to become an ABS and to seek external investment to help further its growth strategy.  

“This is an important appointment which again signals our intention to take advantage of the opportunities we think the Legal Services Act and moving to ABS status will offer us. We are delighted that Glyn will be working with us on moving forward our plans for growing the firm,” Pickering said.

Glyn Barker said: “There is a strong senior team in place at Irwin Mitchell and I am looking forward to working with them as they advance their strategic growth plans.  I share the view of Irwin Mitchell’s management with regards to the scale of the opportunities that will arise through a move to ABS and potential external investment.”