Kennedys strengthens UK presence with Bristol opening

We are delighted to announce that we have strengthened our domestic network by establishing a base in Bristol, which becomes our eleventh office in the UK and 38th globally.

It builds on the growth of our office in Taunton, established in 2008, and reflects client demand that has seen that office grow to more than 60 people, including three partners and 44 fee-earners.

The new office will involve local recruitment as well as providing a Bristol base for our Taunton lawyers who wish to work more flexibly in the region. The office’s focus will be on professional and financial lines work, along with defendant personal injury.

Bristol is a significant regional location for the insurance industry. According to a recent report from TheCityUK, the industry supports 5,250 jobs in the city – similar to Leeds and Birmingham – and contributes £473m to the regional economy.

The city is home to many of the world’s largest insurers and reinsurers, a number of whom are clients of ours.

Nick Thomas, Senior Partner at Kennedys, says: “Our growth strategy has always been driven by client demand, which has led to our rapid international expansion in recent years. But we have remained careful to ensure that our domestic offering – the core of what Kennedys has become – remains at the top of its game. Opening in Bristol ensures that we will continue to give our clients the best service.”

Jeremy Riley, who leads Kennedys’ UK professional liability and claims handling group, says: “Bristol is, of course, a significant business centre in its own right, but it has also become a particular hub for the insurance industry. Taunton has led the way in showing the demand for our services in the South West, and our new office will consolidate our position as a leading player in the region.”

Last week we strengthened our professional liability practice, which included the hire of Helen Ager from DAC Beachcroft to head up our Taunton office’s professional liability team.

In the last couple of months Suzanne Liversidge was named as our first global managing partner, and our London office was boosted by the recruitment of a 12-strong insurance coverage and disputes team from Norton Rose Fulbright.