Surprise move as Big Six head to join smaller rival

Mark Owen, who became head of office in 2010, declined to comment yesterday. He joined the firm 18 years ago.

He will be joining Dickinson Dees as property partner and will lead the Newcastle-based firm’s property practice in Yorkshire.

The firm relocates to Leeds from York on April 10.

John Marshall, senior partner at Dickinson Dees, said he hoped that competitors will see the appointment as a measure of his firm’s ambition in the Yorkshire market.

He told the Yorkshire Post: “As part of our move across from York to Leeds, one of the things we wanted to do was give ourselves a platform to grow and develop our offering in Yorkshire.

“We wanted to bring in some individuals of high calibre with credibility and good reputations in their market.”

Dickinson Dees will open with more than 50 staff at Whitehall Riverside. Mr Marshall said he is still recruiting and staff numbers could double over time.

The York office contributed £4.5m to the firm’s £45.5m turnover last year. Dickinson Dees moved into York in 2007 with the acquisition of Philip Ashworth & Co, which was then turning over £1m. It also has offices in Tees Valley and London.

The departure of Mr Owen from Pinsent Masons creates an opening for a new head of office at the top tier law firm, one of the so-called Big Six in Leeds, the largest legal centre outside of London.

It is understood that there are four or five internal candidates for the position. It would be a surprise if the firm made an external appointment. But a wildcard candidate could come from McGrigors, the Scottish firm merging with Pinsent Masons on May 1.

David Ryan, managing partner of Pinsent Masons, said: “Mark has been a valuable and loyal servant of the firm for the last twenty years.

“While we are sad to see him leave, he departs with our best wishes for the future.

“We are currently in the process of appointing his successor to take the Leeds office forward, and we expect to make an announcement by May 1.”

Pinsent Mason, which employs around 300 staff in Yorkshire, had a £212.5m turnover last year.

It can trace its heritage back to Simpson Curtis, which played a major role in establishing Leeds’ reputation for legal services.