Prime Highlights-
- Deloitte Legal promotes three new partners, Tom Birdseye, George Hawkins and Ben Holguin.
- Tax and Legal practice generates £1.33 billion in turnover, employing 4,500 people in the UK.
Key Facts-
- Chris Hardman succeeds Richard Punt as UK managing partner for Deloitte Legal.
- Hardman previously served as head of corporate law before joining Deloitte seven years ago.
Background-
Chris Hardman has been appointed managing partner for Deloitte Legal in the UK, taking on the role after previously serving as head of corporate law for the firm.
Hardman joined Deloitte seven years ago, bringing experience from two international law firms along with a background in building legal businesses within broader professional services. He now leads Deloitte Legal’s next phase of growth in the UK, drawing on his legal and strategic development expertise.
Based in Manchester, Hardman said the firm is at an exciting point in its evolution, with clients seeking partners who can deliver solutions rather than only advise. He said Deloitte Legal brings together lawyers, consultants and AI engineers as one team, supported by a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture that underpins its growth ambitions.
Hardman succeeds Richard Punt, who will continue leading the firm’s global Legal practice, a role he has held since 2023. Punt said he takes pride in the UK team’s progress and looks forward to supporting Hardman’s leadership, highlighting their shared focus on AI-powered transformation in legal services, including the firm’s collaboration with Legora.
Deloitte Legal also promoted three new partners, Tom Birdseye, George Hawkins and Ben Holguin, strengthening leadership across transformation, risk and corporate advisory work.
Deloitte Legal sits within the firm’s Tax and Legal practice, which generated £1.33 billion last year and employs around 4,500 people across the UK.
