Swinburne Maddison expands leadership team

Durham-based law firm Swinburne Maddison has appointed three new heads of department to support its ongoing growth.

Gemma Wilkinson joins as head of legal compliance, bringing experience from three major regional firms. 

She will oversee regulatory compliance and risk management across the business.

Gemma said: “I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a legal career, and because Swinburne Maddison is a firm I have grown up with, I was delighted to accept the head of legal compliance position. 

“The opportunity to join such a committed and talented team and support the firm’s ambitious expansion plans is truly exciting.”

Meanwhile, Lyndsey Pitt becomes head of people and culture, with a background in HR and talent development. 

She will lead on employee engagement and support the firm’s ambition to be an employer of choice.

Lyndsey added: “I have never worked with such a friendly group of people who genuinely care about their colleagues. 

“While I bring strong experience in people management, employee relations and wellbeing, I am keen to build on this expertise while supporting the management team.”

Finally, Wayne Christie takes up the role of head of operations and innovation. 

With a law degree and six years in operational leadership, he will focus on driving tech-led improvements across the firm.

Wayne added: “This is the perfect role for me, allowing me to leverage my flair for technology and operational expertise to support the firm’s expansion. 

“I am committed to championing a digital first, client-centric approach that enhances internal processes, streamline administrative functions, and drives technological advancements to improve the client experience.”

The recent appointments bring the firm’s headcount to 90.

Jonathan Moreland, managing partner and head of the dispute resolution team, added: “Over the past five years, Swinburne Maddison has seen consistent year-on-year growth in turnover, profitability and headcount. 

“To sustain this momentum, we want to ensure that our expanding business has dedicated functional specialists who can support our legal teams effectively.

“We continue to win work across the region, and beyond. 

“As we look to the future, our goal is to maintain sector growth while delivering exceptional service to our existing clients.

“These newly created strategic roles will be instrumental in refining our client journey, ensuring seamless service delivery, and enabling our legal teams to focus on their casework without unnecessary administrative burdens.”

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