Edward Davies has been appointed Head of the Company and Commercial Department at Rickerbys LLP, Solicitors, from 1 April 2010.
For many years Rickerbys LLP have had a strong corporate team dealing with many significant regional clients, and have played a pivotal role in the development of a large number of successful local businesses.
Edward succeeds Richard Knight, who is handing over the reins after 13 years as Head of Department. Richard will be continuing to look after his clients and developing new links and specialisms for the firm.
Edward Davies said, "I have learnt an enormous amount from Richard Knight. He hands over the reins of a highly respected and skilful department. I will look to him for guidance in the future and look forward to deploying his skills where appropriate."
Richard Knight commented, "I have greatly enjoyed my tenure as Head of Department and look forward to developing my contacts, focussing on the acquisition of new clients and helping the firm build its new areas of expertise."
Managing Partner, Anne Compton, said, "Rickerbys has benefited enormously from the efforts of Richard Knight during his long term as Head of Department. We all look forward to working with him in his enhanced role as an ambassador for the firm and thank him for his input so far. Edward Davies will bring his undoubted talents to the Corporate Team to further grow the firm and to build on our areas of expertise for a bright future."
A former law lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University, Edward has been a partner with Rickerbys for 7 years. He has been involved in countless company mergers and acquisitions, as well as restructurings and refinancings, and has relationships with a number of private equity firms. He has played a key role in successfully developing the firm’s veterinary and professional practice teams. As well as looking after his clients, he will be focussing in the future on maintaining and growing the position of Rickerbys’ corporate and commercial practice in the region. Edward has post-graduate Intellectual Property law qualifications from Bristol University and alongside his corporate work, undertakes non-contentious intellectual property work.
Edward and his wife Claire find time to run a (currently small!) smallholding at their home in Arlingham where they have chickens and two pigs (known as Pig 1 and Pig 2). Edward also enjoys brewing beer and cordials and does a particularly good line in sparkling perry.
A few facts to know about Edward:-
Favourite Film - Breakfast at Tiffanys
Favourite Band - It changes but I always come back to Pink Floyd
Favourite Book - Winston Churchill’s "The Second World War" (all six volumes!)
Inspiration in life - Doing the right thing
If he wasn’t a lawyer Edward would like to be rich, less stressed and would follow a seriously entrepreneurial life. He appreciates that these are not necessarily compatible!
A little known fact about Edward is that, as a child, he appeared on "Jim’ll Fix It" at Blackpool Pleasure Beach which involved his Scout Cub pack eating whilst on the roller coaster! Edward’s major motivation at work is being close to his clients and acting as part of their team. In many cases, Edward is not only a lawyer for his clients but also a trusted adviser on a wide variety of matters.
Edward’s plans are to further develop the team of skilled Business Lawyers and to recruit to help the team grow, with the aim of increasing their profile and expertise both locally and further afield.
Edward comments, "We have significant plans to grow the department. The team has excellent solicitors with great pedigrees and a very strong client base, locally and nationally. The department’s service delivery and client relationships are the key to past and future success. We intend to build on the team’s skills and our services over the coming years and we have a clear vision and strategy to achieve this."