Kennedys has announce the appointment of Suzanne Liversidge as their first global managing partner. She will work alongside Nick Thomas, who has been senior partner for over 20 years and was re-elected for a fifth term in 2017, following an uncontested ballot.

Recent growth

The new role has been created in recognition of recent growth. In May the firm reported record turnover of £218m for the financial year 2018/19, an 11 percent increase on the previous financial year and the first time our revenue has topped £200m. This growth was supported by a 7 percent increase in the number of fee-earners worldwide, with total headcount exceeding 2,000 for the first time in the firm’s history. Ms Liversidge becomes the first female global managing partner for a UK top 30 law firm, and will work closely with Mr Thomas on the strategic and operational management of our global network of 37 offices. Ms Liversidge is a member of our Global Strategy Board, as well as the R&D and Innovations Boards. She also leads our Women in Insurance Network. She joined Kennedys as head of the Sheffield office in 2010, qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1993 and built a practice that saw her working with insurers, self-insured corporates and local authorities, and specialising in employers’ liability, public and motor claims, as well as health and safety advice and prosecutions. Ms Liversidge is an active member of Link, the professional network for members of the LGBT+ community and their allies who work in the insurance sector.

Doing things differently

Mr Thomas says, “The Board and I are of the view that there is no better person to help oversee the management of Kennedys, globally. Anyone who encounters Suzanne knows she brings boundless energy and enthusiasm to her work. She is immensely driven and has shown outstanding commitment to Kennedys over the past nine years.” He added, “We’ve experienced significant growth in recent years and there is still much more to achieve as a firm. Suzanne has a deep understanding of the insurance industry, our clients and our global network having worked with all Kennedys’ offices.” Commenting on her appointment, Ms Liversidge said “Kennedys is a firm with great ambition,” adding “We do things differently at Kennedys so I’m particularly energised about our client innovations and collaboration initiatives.”