News Editor, Solicitors Journal

Clarke Wilmott elects new CEO

24 Nov 2022News

Stephen Rosser is set to step down in 2023 after 13 years as CEO

The membership of Clarke Willmott LLP has elected Peter Swinburn (pictured) to be the firm’s new CEO from 1 May 2023, as Stephen Rosser is set to step down after 13 years as CEO.

Under Rosser’s leadership, Clarke Willmott has improved its financial performance, and has been acknowledged for its strong client and people-focused culture, leadership and commitment to work life balance for staff.

In a message to staff at the firm, chairman Kelvin Balmont announced: “I’m delighted to let you know that earlier this week our partners elected Peter Swinburn as Clarke Willmott’s new CEO from next Spring, when Stephen Rosser’s tenure reaches its conclusion.

“Peter has been with Clarke Willmott for 11 years, most recently as managing director of our commercial property division. In his presentations to the membership he communicated his commitment to the firm, our clients and our people.

“I am confident that under Peter’s leadership we can look forward to a continuation of the progress made during Stephen’s time as CEO.”

Swinburn heads the commercial property teams in the Southampton and London. He joined Clarke Willmott as a partner in May 2011, having previously worked at Shoosmiths since 2006. He qualified with Bevan Ashford in 2004, having trained in London, Bristol and Exeter.

Rosser will remain as CEO until the end of April 2023, during which time he will work with Swinburn to ensure a smooth transition. Following the handover, Rosser will remain in a senior role supporting his successor.

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

Agent signatures fail for trust declarations

Court of Appeal rules that declarations of trust over land must be personally signed to satisfy statutory formalities

The UK anti-corruption strategy: pillar one in focus

How the UK’s latest Anti-Corruption Strategy seeks to disrupt corrupt networks, incentivise whistleblowers, and strengthen enforcement

CD&R Galaxy UK Opco Limited fined £33,438

CD&R Galaxy UK Opco Limited has agreed to a financial penalty and investigation costs following regulatory breaches identified by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Using US discovery to support English litigation

How Section 1782 offers a powerful, underused route to obtain US-based evidence for foreign proceedings

FCA priorities and predictions for 2026

A forward-looking assessment of the FCA’s recent focus and what FS regulatory lawyers can expect in the year ahead

Why judge-only trials won’t fix court backlogs

Proposals to curb jury trials risk fairness, worsen delays, and ignore the real causes of Crown Court backlogs

Regulatory progress under Martyn’s Law

Ronnie Megaughin reflects on his experience as Interim Executive Director and shares the important developments made in the regulation of Martyn’s Law over the past six months

International taskforce unveils bribery indicators

The Serious Fraud Office and Five Eyes nations release guidance to identify foreign bribery indicators for businesses

Government appoints interim commissioners to EHRC

The Government has appointed Ali Harris and Professor Shazia Choudhry as interim commissioners at the EHRC while new commissioners are recruited

Joey Barton: where online speech becomes criminal

The sentencing clarifies how courts are drawing limits on free expression in the digital age

Impecuniosity, mitigation and credit hire on appeal

The High Court clarifies the limits of impecuniosity and appellate restraint in challenges to credit hire awards

Lawyer reflects on New York courts

A London lawyer shares insights from his visit to a busy New York City Criminal Court

Employers face potential legal issues

As Christmas parties approach, employers must be aware of increasing legal risks stemming from festive events

Thousands to benefit from legal support

The Deputy Prime Minister announced nearly £20 million funding aimed at improving access to legal services for vulnerable individuals

The UK’s cautious path on AI

The UK is pursuing AI growth through regulatory sandboxes, avoiding prescriptive rules while testing how existing laws apply

SJ Interview: Joelle Grogan

Dr Joelle Grogan is a legal scholar specialising in the rule of law in times of crisis. She presents The Law Show on BBC Radio 4, and is Co-Academic Director of the Rule of Law Clinic at the CEU Democracy Institute (Budapest), and a Senior Research Fellow at the UCD Sutherland School of Law. Her work focuses on constitutional accountability, emergency powers, and legal misinformation. In this interview, she examines the pressures facing the rule of law in the UK, from executive power and court delays to media narratives, emergencies, and the impact of AI on legal practice.

Justice reform risks targeting the wrong fix

As 2026 approaches, ministers eye jury trials while ignoring deeper causes of England’s criminal justice crisis