Liverpool city region law firm Fletchers Group, a UK leader in medical negligence, has appointed a new chief commercial officer as it looks to embark on an aggressive expansion drive. Tony McDonough reports

Southport-based law firm Fletchers Group has appointed experienced mergers and acquisitions expert Zoe Holland as its new chief commercial officer.

Fletchers has established itself as one of the UK’s leading medical negligence and personal injury specialists. It employs around 650 people and also has offices in Manchester and Leeds.

In October 2021 the firm was acquired by US-based private equity outfit Sun European Partners. Now it has ambitions to pursue an aggressive mergers and acquisitions strategy. Appointing Ms Holland is a key part of that drive.

She offers more than 25 years’ industry experience and is regarded as a leading practitioner in mergers and acquisitions, business growth and operational due diligence matters.

Using her background as a serious injury/clinical negligence lawyer together with management board and finance experience, she has advised on some of the sector’s highest profile transactions in recent years.

In this newly created role, Ms Holland will be helping Fletchers Group identify M&A opportunities and develop new businesses.

The business has already added Minton Morrill, Cycle SOS and Blume to its empire since its acquisition by Sun Capital. She will help build internal operational capability and act as a coach and mentor for high-potential female leaders in the business.

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She will also join the executive leadership team and report directly to Peter Haden, Fletchers Group chief executive.

In 2021, Ms Holland was appointed to the board of Frenkel Topping Group as the AIM-listed group embarked upon an acquisition drive.

Previously, she established niche business Zebra LC in 2013, a specialist personal injury/clinical negligence audit, due diligence consulting firm dedicated to helping legal practices and stakeholders embrace the changing legal landscape.

Her work with Zebra LC earned her a host of awards including ‘Outstanding Innovator of the Year’ at the Claims Innovation Awards and ‘Legal Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Modern Law Awards.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to join such an exceptional executive team and to help shape the next exciting chapter of the Fletchers Group journey.

“Fletchers’ strategic roadmap, high quality offering, ambition and people philosophy gives the firm a very strong position in this market with a compelling potential for growth. I cannot think of a more exciting time to join the business.”

Peter Haden added: “Zoe is a proven leader and innovator, and a fantastic addition to the team. Her M&A experience and perspective on operational effectiveness will perfectly complement our existing strengths.

“She has a tremendous reputation in the industry and brings a rare and valuable combination of skills, not least as an accomplished lawyer in her own right.”