Bevan Brittan LLP has appointed former Steeles London Corporate team leader, Adam Duthie. Adam joins the London office as a Partner and will head the firm’s Corporate Department. Adam joins the firm on 29 August. 

Before joining Steeles, Adam spent time outside private practice as a successful entrepreneur and legal and business consultant operating in the leisure sector. Prior to that, he was Chief Executive Officer of the Shoeless Joe’s Group of restaurants and bars for four years. Adam began his legal career at the Sydney and London offices of Baker & McKenzie before joining Ashurst as an Associate in 1990 and becoming a Senior Associate of that firm in 1992. He then joined Guinness PLC as Senior Legal Counsel in 1994 and continued in that capacity with the newly formed Diageo PLC until 1998. Whilst at Guinness/Diageo, Adam worked on the Guinness/Grand Met merger and was closely involved in the worldwide development of the Guinness Irish pubs concept.

At Steeles, Adam was primarily responsible for developing the firm’s London corporate and commercial practice and his work included advising on private equity and AIM fund raising, corporate re-organisations, joint ventures and business acquisitions, often in emerging markets. In keeping with his interests and experience outside the law, Adam’s main focus has been in the retail and leisure sectors and he will continue this focus at Bevan Brittan.

Adam will work closely with Head of Commerce, Industry and Services, Tom Ellis, Head of Commercial, Charles Metherell and leisure lead partner Peter Moody. 

Head of Commercial Charles Metherell said: “We are delighted Adam is joining the firm. He is a great addition to our Corporate team and his experience and knowledge of the leisure and retail sectors will make a significant impact on our existing practice. The leisure sector is currently experiencing a period of rapid change, characterised by considerable transactional activity, the emergence of a number of new entrants to the market and the willingness of venture capitalists and others to fund investment. The sector is also facing major regulatory change, such as the new licensing laws and Adam’s corporate expertise will really assist the firm in delivering to those private sector companies operating in this market.”

Chief Executive Stuart Whitfield added: “Adam’s arrival is clear signal of our reinvigorated focus on growing our corporate practice not just in London but across our other offices. Adam’s credentials are outstanding and his experience in working at the heart of the leisure and retail sectors will undoubtedly give us a clear advantage in these markets.”