Yorkshire firm Rollits has appointed a senior corporate specialist from big five accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to head its corporate finance team.
Former head of corporate finance at PwC’s Hull office Neil Jenneson is joining the 33-partner firm this month as director of corporate finance in the company and commercial department.
Jenneson, who was also a lead partner for PwC Hull and is not trained as a lawyer, will work alongside Rollitts’ head of company and commercial Richard Field.
The move is a rare example of law firms branching into non-legal corporate finance. Though City media specialist Olswang hit the headlines last year when it set up a tied finance house Longacre, most law firms have shied away from hiring senior corporate finance professionals for fear of lost referrals.
Commenting on the appointment, Field told Legal Week: “We can now offer advice not only on the legal side but on all aspects of corporate finance.”
Jenneson added: “A combined legal and financial advisory service is both leading edge and a potential winner for our clients.”
Corporate finance is one of the core departments of the Hull-based Rollits, which also has offices in York.
Rollits is the new name of Rollit Farrell & Bladon. The firm rebranded in May this year following the closure of its offices in Beverley and Helmsley.
The firm, which is best known for its social housing and agriculture practices, is one of the main corporate players in Humberside, advising last year on the groundbreaking £700m floatation of Kingston Communications.
Click on ‘email news’ at legalweek.net to be alerted to breaking news stories.
