The managing partner and new head of Square One Law has outlined to Insider her plans for the firm moving forward, which include working with “game changers” on “regionally and nationally significant deals”.
Square One Law was founded in Newcastle in 2011 by Ian Gilthorpe and has since grown to open offices in Darlington and Leeds.
In September 2022 Gilthorpe revealed that he would be retiring, with Gill Hunter, who joined the firm in 2018, taking the helm as managing partner.
Speaking to Insider, Hunter said that the businesses aim is to “make a difference”, adding: “We don’t want to do growth for growths sake. We want meaningful growth.
“We want to be recognised as somewhere where exceptional people work on significant projects for interesting clients.”
During 2022, the firm worked on a host of deals including NAC Group, incorporating independent training provider NA College, undergoing a management buyout (MBO) in a deal backed by Shard Credit Partners.
Its Newcastle team also worked with FORE Partnership on a private-equity backed office and retail development next to Tower Bridge in London.
Hunter explained that the firm works with a wide range of clients, many of which are “game changers”.
“We do a lot of work in life sciences and in the energy sectors and digital” she said, adding: “All of those areas are really pushing forward at the moment and breaking moulds.
“In the region, and particularly in the Tees Valley, there’s a real hub of life sciences.”
Moving into 2023, the firm plans to continue working with clients on “regionally and nationally significant deals” and has a strong corporate pipeline, along with a raft of new instructions within its litigation and employment teams.
Alongside this, the firm plans to target B Corp status, which will “very publicly show that we are committed to doing things in a much more modern and much more inclusive way”.
Diversity in decision making is also a focus for Hunter, who said: “We don’t want to become an echo chamber.
“We want to make sure the decisions we are making are strong and resilient – not just for us but for our people, our stakeholders, the environment and our community.”
