Cripps appoints managing partner successor

James Beatton

Cripps has appointed a successor to Gavin Tyler as managing partner.

James Beatton will take up the role in May 2023 having been elected by the firm’s equity partners.

Tyler will retire from Cripps on 30 April 2023 after 39 years. He began his career as an articled clerk at the business, qualifying as a solicitor in 1986 and specialising in disputes work and more latterly focussing on employment law.

He then became head of the corporate division in 2005, and became managing partner in 2013.

During Tyler’s two five-year terms as managing partner, Cripps has undergone transformational change and growth, with revenues more than doubling from £18m to £41m.

He oversaw the firm’s 2013 merger with Vertex Law and the 2018 merger with Pemberton Greenish, as well as two major office relocations in Tunbridge Wells and London.

Following the 2018 deal, the company planned to return to the original Cripps name – from Cripps Pemberton Greenish – once the full integration of the two firms had been completed.

It has taken this opportunity to refresh its brand and visual identity to reflect the evolution of the firm into a purpose-driven business, set to meet the future needs of clients.

Tyler said: “The rebrand has been a valuable opportunity to take a step back and re-evaluate what makes the firm so special and talk to clients and our people about what they want our firm to be, and from this exercise, redefine our values and purpose.

“The new brand brings together the very best attributes from our legacy firms – so although we’ve made the planned reversion to the name Cripps, the contribution by Pemberton Greenish and particularly its positioning in the London legal market is very much an integral part of the new brand.”

He added: “Over the next year I will be working with James, on numerous projects including our seamless succession plan. Among other things we will be bedding in the new brand, and implementing the new strategy, making sure the firm’s values and purpose are truly reflected in everything we do.”

Beatton added: “The legal sector is changing rapidly and we want to make sure we are in a position to take advantage of the opportunities that will inevitably arise as a result.

“Gavin has helped put Cripps in the best possible position for us to do this. We’ve worked together closely over the last nine years and will continue to do so over the next year to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.”