Ward Hadaway Names Steve McNicol As New Strategic Business Development Partner

Bringing with him over two decades of experience in the legal sector, Steve will lead Ward Hadaway’s business development strategy and growth activities from its headquarters in Newcastle across the firm’s three offices.

Having been managing partner at Muckle LLP for almost 12 years and then taking responsibility for client and strategic development there, Steve said that the time was right to embark on the next chapter of his career.

He said: “The opportunity to lead Ward Hadaway’s business development strategy and to work alongside the team here is very exciting indeed.

“There is an overwhelming feeling of ambition and enthusiasm across the business that has been evident from the very start of our discussions. The firm already has a superb reputation and the very fact that the partners are exploring different ways to build on that is really compelling.”

Steve, from Hexham, Northumberland, will work with colleagues to maintain and build on already strong client relationships, create new opportunities, developing the firm’s profile and to ensure that client service excellence remains a distinguishing feature of the business.

He said: “Technical excellence and strength in depth, whilst clearly critical, can no longer stand alone as true differentiators in professional services.

“The ability to listen, adapt and deliver what the client really wants is crucial – and developing relationships in that way is something that the team already has a strong name for.”

Once one of the country’s youngest law firm managing partners at 34, Steve has spoken at a number of regional and national conferences on leadership, service excellence and creating a service-based culture.

Ward Hadaway is an official partner and official legal services provider for Newcastle Falcons and Steve has been a business mentor for the Rugby Players’ Association, as well as an Advisory Board member to the Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria University.

Speaking about the appointment, Ward Hadaway Managing Partner, Jamie Martin, said: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to our team as we celebrate 30 years since the firm was established.

“We believe he will make a real difference to the work which we do for our clients.  He will build on our reputation for gaining an in-depth understanding of our clients’ needs, and help to develop innovative ways in which to respond.

“He brings the right relationships, expertise and experience to help us strengthen the service that we can offer to our clients, helping us secure and develop our relationships and to accelerate our own pace of organic growth.”