Having converted to become an Alternative Business Structure on 1 June, Leigh Day has appointed four business heads to partner, including IT and facilities director James Harrison. The other new partners are finance director Gurveer Virdi, head of professional ethics and risk management Viviana Marcus, and HR director Fiona Allen.
The move away from a traditional partnership will allow for those working in the business services department to apply to become partners and have more input into how the 71- partner UK firm is run.
Harrison joined the firm in 2008, and is responsible for leading on IT strategy and the delivery of IT services, as well as overseeing the facilities team.
Leigh Day’s managing partner Chris Benson said: “I am thrilled that the SRA has approved our application for a new business structure and that we are able to announce four new partners. The opportunity to have non-legal staff members become partners will be invaluable to the firm, particularly as the four new partners each have a wealth of experience in their respective professions and can apply their knowledge to the running of the firm.
“On behalf of the firm I’d like to congratulate the new partners and I look forward to there being more non-legal partners in the future.”