South West law firm Ashfords has elected a new chair. Tim Heal, who currently leads the firm’s real estate services division and is a member of the executive board, has started the two-year term with immediate effect.
He succeeds Mark Lomas, who has stepped down from the role after nine years in order to retire. Mr Lomas has been at Ashfords, which has offices in Bristol, Plymouth, Taunton, Exeter and London, for 35 years.
Meanwhile, Louise Workman will continue as the company's chief executive, having led the business since 2020, and property litigation head Sian Gibbon takes over from Mr Lomas as chair of the firm’s governance board.
Mr Heal said: “A business’s culture is absolutely critical to its success – it’s why people join, stay and engage. One of my primary objectives as chair is to support our open and collegiate culture as we continue to grow the firm. Importantly, how we work together to make a real difference for our clients and each other.”
Ashford's wider executive board now also includes:
- Commercial services head Andrew Betteridge;
- Private client head Michael Alden;
- and chief financial officer Philip Strange.
Ms Workman Workman added: "Mark chaired the firm during a period of significant change. The firm more than doubled in size during his tenure with revenues up by over 60%.
"The pandemic accelerated that change - particularly in how we work with each other and our clients. Our culture played a critical role during that period and will continue to do so as we grow our business. Tim’s longstanding history with the firm will be invaluable to our achieving a market-leading work and client experience.”
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