Latest Hire Follows Recent Banking Expert Appointment

Irwin Mitchell's Manchester office has appointed dealmaker, Jon Close, as part of the firm’s ongoing drive to establish a leading corporate and business legal services team within the city.

Specialising in advising businesses on a range of M&A, private equity and public equity work, Jon joins as partner and will now be responsible for establishing Irwin Mitchell’s corporate practice in Manchester, whilst supporting growth across the office’s existing employment, real estate and commercial litigation teams.

Jon, whose clients include start-up enterprises and large UK-wide organisations, moves to Irwin Mitchell from Freeth Cartwright in Manchester where he was partner and head of corporate. Previous to this he was a partner within DWF’s North West corporate team.

John Lord, partner and head of business legal services in Manchester, said: “Jon is an important strategic addition for the Manchester office and his appointment follows a lengthy search for an individual who we believe will have a significant impact and add real value to the business team here in Manchester.”

The news that Jon is joining the firm follows the recent announcement that Irwin Mitchell has appointed banking and finance partner, Dean Gormley. Previously a senior lawyer at the Manchester office of Eversheds and then a partner at Halliwells, Dean is one of the leading finance lawyers in the North of England. He acts for financial institutions, investors, and borrowers on corporate banking, leveraged finance, real estate finance and restructuring transactions. He also has extensive experience of asset based lending.

John Lord said: “Jon has a wealth of corporate experience and is a proven self-starter with the tenacity required to complete deals in a tough economic climate. We’re delighted to have him on board and believe he is a vital piece of the jigsaw as we broaden and enhance the range of services we can deliver for clients.

“The next 12 months will be an important period in the firm’s development and we look forward to the impact that our new appointments will have as we expand and move towards our vision of being the legal brand of choice.”

Jon Close said: I’m really excited about the prospect of joining Irwin Mitchell, particularly at a time when the firm is making considerable investment in its business team here in Manchester and across the UK.

“Irwin Mitchell has an innovative, supportive and collegiate culture, along with a clear vision for the future, and I look forward to working with the existing team in Manchester to build and establish the corporate offering, whilst helping to develop its broader business legal services team.”

Irwin Mitchell, which celebrates its centenary this year, recently announced that it had become one of the first companies to be approved as an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and the first to be granted multiple ABS licences.