DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, today announces its Group CEO transition plan. Sir Nigel Knowles, appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer in May 2020, will retire from the position with effect from 1 August, 2025. He will remain with DWF as a Senior Adviser to the business, focused on client engagement and growth.
Matthew Doughty, currently CEO of DWF's Insurance Services division, has been appointed by the Board of Directors as CEO-elect and will become Group Chief Executive Officer from the same date.
With a career in law spanning more than 40 years, Sir Nigel is one of the most influential and successful leaders in the industry. During his five-year tenure as CEO of DWF, Sir Nigel has overseen a period of rapid growth with the firm increasing revenue by c.60%, or more than £175m, while profitability has more than trebled. In October 2023, he led the business through a de-listing from the London Stock Exchange via a groundbreaking take-private transaction with Inflexion, whose investment is now helping to drive the next phase of growth.
Sir Nigel said: "I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made over the past five years. Through the talent and dedication of my DWF colleagues, the support we provide to our stellar roster of clients has enabled us to achieve strong and sustainable growth. I want to thank all of those colleagues for their hard work and support, and also to thank our clients for continuing to trust DWF to be their advisers.
"Since our take private, I have been clear that I would step back from the CEO role at the right time. Having just completed five years as Chief Executive, I believe that this is the right time to hand on to a new CEO who can lead DWF through the next phase of growth. I am delighted that person will be Matt Doughty, whom I've worked with extremely closely during my time as CEO, and prior to that as Chairman. Matt is the right person to lead the business forward and I will continue to support him however I can in my new advisory role."
Steve Varley, Group Chair of DWF, added: "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Nigel for his excellent leadership of DWF over the past five years. The business is stronger and more successful today than when Nigel took the helm, which is testament to his unmatched track-record for driving growth through building first class teams, a winning culture and outstanding client relationships. We will continue to benefit from his experience going forward.
"After following its succession planning process, the Board unanimously agreed that Matt is the right person to build on the momentum that the Group has generated under Nigel’s leadership. His experience at the firm includes roles within both our Commercial Services and Insurance Services divisions, together with a number of Group leadership positions. He knows this business better than anybody and is perfectly placed to lead it forward."
Matthew Doughty joined DWF in 2016 as a partner in the firm's Corporate Services practice. In his nine years with the business he has held a number of Group leadership positions including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. In 2023, Matthew was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of its Insurance Services division, leading a period of strong growth for this business through geographic expansion in North America and Australia and a series of panel appointments with some of the world's largest insurers.
Commenting on his appointment, Matthew said: "I am delighted and very proud to have been elected by the Board as DWF's CEO. I take on this position at an exciting time for the Group. Our financial performance is strong and we are growing in the UK and globally. Our client relationships are excellent, which is helping us to win in our chosen markets. We have an outstanding group of talented and purpose-driven colleagues who want us to grow sustainably. And we are backed by a single growth investor in Inflexion, whose support is allowing us to accelerate the implementation of our strategy. I am looking forward to taking on this opportunity to continue building on our success.
"I have known Nigel for nearly 25 years and worked closely with him for eight years at DWF. He is a friend, mentor and colleague and I would like to thank him for his work over the past five years which has put DWF in this strong position. Nigel is very highly regarded by our DWF colleagues around the world and we are delighted that he will continue to play a role in our future."
Matthew will continue to have responsibility for our Insurance Services division, working alongside the Insurance Services senior partner, David Abbott.
Matthew Doughty, currently CEO of DWF's Insurance Services division, has been appointed by the Board of Directors as CEO-elect and will become Group Chief Executive Officer from the same date.
With a career in law spanning more than 40 years, Sir Nigel is one of the most influential and successful leaders in the industry. During his five-year tenure as CEO of DWF, Sir Nigel has overseen a period of rapid growth with the firm increasing revenue by c.60%, or more than £175m, while profitability has more than trebled. In October 2023, he led the business through a de-listing from the London Stock Exchange via a groundbreaking take-private transaction with Inflexion, whose investment is now helping to drive the next phase of growth.
Sir Nigel said: "I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made over the past five years. Through the talent and dedication of my DWF colleagues, the support we provide to our stellar roster of clients has enabled us to achieve strong and sustainable growth. I want to thank all of those colleagues for their hard work and support, and also to thank our clients for continuing to trust DWF to be their advisers.
"Since our take private, I have been clear that I would step back from the CEO role at the right time. Having just completed five years as Chief Executive, I believe that this is the right time to hand on to a new CEO who can lead DWF through the next phase of growth. I am delighted that person will be Matt Doughty, whom I've worked with extremely closely during my time as CEO, and prior to that as Chairman. Matt is the right person to lead the business forward and I will continue to support him however I can in my new advisory role."
Steve Varley, Group Chair of DWF, added: "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Nigel for his excellent leadership of DWF over the past five years. The business is stronger and more successful today than when Nigel took the helm, which is testament to his unmatched track-record for driving growth through building first class teams, a winning culture and outstanding client relationships. We will continue to benefit from his experience going forward.
"After following its succession planning process, the Board unanimously agreed that Matt is the right person to build on the momentum that the Group has generated under Nigel’s leadership. His experience at the firm includes roles within both our Commercial Services and Insurance Services divisions, together with a number of Group leadership positions. He knows this business better than anybody and is perfectly placed to lead it forward."
Matthew Doughty joined DWF in 2016 as a partner in the firm's Corporate Services practice. In his nine years with the business he has held a number of Group leadership positions including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. In 2023, Matthew was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of its Insurance Services division, leading a period of strong growth for this business through geographic expansion in North America and Australia and a series of panel appointments with some of the world's largest insurers.
Commenting on his appointment, Matthew said: "I am delighted and very proud to have been elected by the Board as DWF's CEO. I take on this position at an exciting time for the Group. Our financial performance is strong and we are growing in the UK and globally. Our client relationships are excellent, which is helping us to win in our chosen markets. We have an outstanding group of talented and purpose-driven colleagues who want us to grow sustainably. And we are backed by a single growth investor in Inflexion, whose support is allowing us to accelerate the implementation of our strategy. I am looking forward to taking on this opportunity to continue building on our success.
"I have known Nigel for nearly 25 years and worked closely with him for eight years at DWF. He is a friend, mentor and colleague and I would like to thank him for his work over the past five years which has put DWF in this strong position. Nigel is very highly regarded by our DWF colleagues around the world and we are delighted that he will continue to play a role in our future."
Matthew will continue to have responsibility for our Insurance Services division, working alongside the Insurance Services senior partner, David Abbott.
