Foot Anstey appoints first Chief Client Officer as it sharpens growth strategy. National law firm Foot Anstey has appointed Stephen Arnold as its first Chief Client Officer (CCO), strengthening the firm's senior leadership team and reinforcing its focus on client-centred growth and strategic clarity. Stephen Arnold joins Foot Anstey at a pivotal moment for the firm, following a year of strong performance and continued investment in its national growth strategy. This includes expansion into Northern Ireland through its combination with McKees and the firm's increased focus on Manchester as a key hub for future growth. Stephen brings extensive senior experience from leading international law firms. He began his legal-sector career at Linklaters, before moving to Clifford Chance where he helped shape the firm's global client strategy and worked with some of the world's most significant financial institutions. He later served as Global Business Development & Marketing Director at Clyde & Co, delivering major growth initiatives, strengthening global client programmes, and supporting integration activity during a period of active expansion. In his new role, Stephen will lead Foot Anstey's client function and help advance the firm's next phase of growth by strengthening how the firm serves clients, deepening collaboration across teams, and sharpening the clarity and direction of its go-to-market approach. Managing Partner Martin Hirst told The Professionals: "Stephen's appointment reflects the scale of our ambition at a critical moment for the firm. His experience in shaping client strategy at leading international firms will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen our market position." Stephen Arnold added: "Foot Anstey has a clear strategy and strong momentum. I'm excited to join at this stage and to work closely with the firm's impressive partners to strengthen how we support clients and build the next phase of our market position."

Michelle Seddon joins Clarke Willmott as private client partner. Experienced private client lawyer Michelle Seddon (pictured) has joined national law firm Clarke Willmott as a partner in its Taunton office. Michelle, who joins from Foot Anstey, will add to Clarke Willmott's already impressive private client offering across the South West. Michelle advises on the full range of private client areas but with a focus on Administrations of Estates (Probate) and Death in Service Advice to Trustees, along with Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Declarations of Trusts. Her practice involves advising private individuals as lay trustees and lay executors but she is often sought out by professional executors and trustees, such as the partners of law firms and trust corporations. * Complex estates, including dealing with conditional (heritage) exemptions, agricultural relief, double taxation, antiques and international estates/assets * Advice to trustees of death in service benefit schemes - working with companies to ensure clarity, compassion and legal precision Michelle has also acted on behalf of law firms in Australia and Canada, assisting with probate queries. "It's a privilege to be working alongside such a talented group of people and I'm excited to help our clients navigate the opportunities and complexities of managing private wealth with clarity, confidence and care," said Michelle. David Maddock, private capital partner at Clarke Willmott in Taunton, added: "We're delighted to welcome Michelle to the private client team here at Clarke Willmott. The wealth of her connections along with her technical expertise, will be a huge asset as we continue to grow our offering across the South West." Clarke Willmott LLP is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton. For more information visit www.clarkewillmott.com. Connect. Influence. Grow. Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, Somerset Chamber represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.