Herrington Carmichael enters the new financial year with major strategic growth and leadership developments

April 1, 2026

Herrington Carmichael is pleased to announce a significant new phase of growth as the firm enters the 2026/27 financial year, underpinned by sustained performance, continued investment in its people, and the transition to a new corporate structure designed to support long‑term strategic ambition.

Introducing Herrington Carmichael Limited

Following an extensive review of the firm’s operating model, Herrington Carmichael will move from an LLP to a Limited Company structure. This change strengthens the firm’s ability to invest for the future, enabling greater flexibility in deploying capital across technology, infrastructure, training and development, and strategic acquisitions. The move reflects the firm’s longstanding commitment to sustainable growth and operational resilience.

As part of this evolution, Yavan Brar will transition into the role of Chief Executive Officer, where he will lead the firm’s strategic direction, brand development and long‑term growth agenda. Yavan joined Herrington Carmichael in 2004, qualifying with the firm before establishing and growing its Corporate team. He has served as Managing Partner since 2019.

During his time as Managing Partner, Yavan has led Herrington Carmichael through a period of significant progress, including the firm’s relocation to its modern Farnborough headquarters, the acquisition of Bonnets Solicitors, substantial growth in both turnover and headcount, and the establishment of its first international office in South Africa. These examples reflect only part of the momentum achieved under his leadership and illustrate the firm’s strong and sustained trajectory. Commenting on his new position, Yavan said:

“Being Managing Partner has been incredibly rewarding. As I step into the role of CEO, I’m excited to focus on driving our long‑term strategic vision and exploring new opportunities that will shape the next chapter of Herrington Carmichael’s growth.”

Taking up the role of Managing Partner from 1 April 2026, Alex Canham will lead the operational delivery of the firm’s strategy, supervise its boards, and continue to support the development of its people and practice areas. Alex joined the firm in 2012 as a trainee and has since played an instrumental role in the evolution of the Corporate practice, particularly within M&A and Financial Services. Alex said:

“I feel incredibly proud and privileged to take on the role of Managing Partner. There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon, and I am committed to supporting every part of the firm as we build on the success we have already achieved together.”

Ongoing investment in people, a record year for promotions

Reflecting the firm’s sustained growth and development, Herrington Carmichael is also pleased to announce a significant round of promotions across multiple practice areas. These promotions recognise the depth of talent within the firm and its commitment to supporting long‑term career progression.

Senior Solicitor Promotions

  • Sam Gray (Employment) – recognised for his high‑quality work across both contentious and non‑contentious employment matters.
  • Sophie Protheroe (Corporate) – specialising in Share Schemes, Employee Ownership Trusts, and wider transactional matters.
  • Zoe Morris (Residential Property) – noted for her consistent client focus and contribution to the continued growth of the team.

Legal Director Promotion

Joel Gocool, promoted to Legal Director in recognition of his contributions to the M&A team, leadership in franchising matters, and success in securing British Franchise Association accreditation for the firm.

New Partners

The firm is also pleased to confirm the appointment of three new Partners, marking a significant milestone for the practice:

  • Chris Gemson – Chris has played a key role in the growth of the Corporate Team and the development of our M&A offering. He brings more than seven years of post-qualification experience and has advised on a wide range of complex corporate matters. His experience spans multiple sectors and includes significant work on cross border transactions across several jurisdictions.
  • Jamie Lynch – Jamie has built a strong reputation as a specialist in commercial real estate. He joined Herrington Carmichael in 2024 with more than a decade of experience advising on non-contentious real estate matters. He is recognised for his clear, pragmatic advice and his responsive, client focused approach, often helping clients achieve top tier service.
  • Edward Jones – Edward prides himself on being a specialist in real estate disputes. He joined Herrington Carmichael with 24 years’ experience in London and Home Counties law firms covering all types of disputes relating to commercial and residential property. Edward has led the Property Litigation team from strength to strength and has been instrumental in the team’s growth.
Looking ahead to the future

The transition to a Limited Company structure provides Herrington Carmichael with a strong foundation for its next phase of development, creating greater capacity for long‑term investment in digital services, IT systems, AI innovation and wider operational infrastructure, while also supporting the expansion of staff training programmes and future‑talent initiatives. It further enables the firm to pursue strategic acquisitions with greater agility in key markets.

To support this ambition, a dedicated Growth Team, led by CEO Yavan Brar, Group COO Dean Snowley and Group General Counsel Mark Chapman, has been established to ensure the firm is well positioned to capitalise on new opportunities. As Herrington Carmichael enters the new financial year, it does so with a clear vision, strengthened leadership and a structure designed to support sustainable growth, building on its success and continuing to deliver high‑quality advice to clients across the UK and internationally.

Yavan Brar
Chief Executive Officer
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