Ward Hadaway appoints strategic risk specialist

Newcastle-headquartered law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed Mike Gore as strategic risk specialist, strengthening its advisory support for clients on health, safety and regulatory compliance.

Mike brings extensive in-house experience managing operational risk across multi-site businesses, working at board level on governance, safety management, business continuity and critical incident response.

In his new role, he will support clients in identifying and managing risk before issues escalate into disputes or regulatory action. 

His appointment will also strengthen the firm's work with directors as regulatory scrutiny and governance expectations continue to grow.

Mike said: “Joining forces with Ward Hadaway provides an opportunity to bring together legal expertise with hands-on operational experience. 

“In many businesses, risk is addressed reactively, often once something has already gone wrong. 

“The focus here is on working alongside leadership teams to identify where pressure points are likely to emerge and to put in place a clear plan for managing them.

“That can range from regulatory compliance and safety frameworks through to wider governance challenges, particularly for businesses that are scaling quickly and need to adapt their structures accordingly.”

Chris Green, a regulatory partner at Ward Hadaway, added: “Mike brings a perspective that complements our legal expertise in a very strategic way. 

“He has operated at the sharp end of business risk, advising boards and solving the issues that can disrupt operations or expose directors to personal liability.

“What makes this particularly valuable is the ability to identify risks early, often before they have been formally recognised within a business, and to put in place the structures and processes needed to manage them effectively.”

Mike’s appointment reflects Ward Hadaway’s continued investment in its national advisory offering. 

Employing nearly 600 people across the North of England and the Midlands, the firm supports clients across a range of sectors, including leisure, hospitality and businesses with complex regulatory requirements.

Steven Petrie, managing partner of Ward Hadaway, added: “Bringing Mike into the fold is about broadening how we support clients as their businesses grow and become more complex. 

“Legal advice remains central, but there is increasing demand for joined-up support that addresses operational and strategic risk in a more holistic way.

“Mike’s experience allows us to engage with clients earlier, helping them to anticipate issues and build more resilient organisations while ensuring that the legal framework supporting those decisions is robust.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.