Suzie takes the helm as managing director at Cumbria law firm Thomson Hayton Winkley

A Cumbria law firm has appointed a new managing director who has risen through the ranks after initially joining the practice as a teenage office junior.

Suzie Fisher has taken the helm at Thomson Hayton Winkley, which has its headquarters in Kendal and offices in Windermere, Kirkby Lonsdale and the J36 Rural Auction Centre in Crooklands, which is home to its specialist branch The Rural Law Practice.

The firm, which has a 60-strong team of lawyers and support staff, acts for individuals and their families and commercial clients ranging from large corporates to small rural, farming and family businesses, with a focus on the tourism and hospitality sectors, including hotels, guest houses, caravan and glamping parks, restaurants, artisan food enterprises and shops.

It provides advice on private client matters such as wills, trusts and probate and powers of attorney, as well as commercial and residential property transactions and dispute resolution.

In 2023, Thomson Hayton Winkley and The Rural Law Practice were acquired by MAPD Group, which was founded by Brian Cullen and Joanna Kingston-Davies in 2020 to power the growth of local law firms nationally through acquisition. The initials stand for Making a Positive Difference.

Suzie began her career with what was then Hayton Winkley as an office junior in 1986, later qualified as a chartered legal executive and rose to become head of the dispute resolution department and a director of the firm in 2023.

She has now succeeded Fiona Ward as managing director.

Suzie said: “Thomson Hayton Winkley and The Rural Law Practice are long-established names in the region with strong reputations for being trusted advisers to our many clients, and with excellent relationships across the business community.

“Having spent my entire career with the firm, I’m extremely proud to have been appointed to the managing director role. It’s an exciting time to take up the position.

“We have an experienced and capable team whose dedication and commitment to providing the highest standards of service to our clients is driving increased demand across the practice, with word-of-mouth referrals and recommendations leading to strong growth in generating new business.

“I look forward to building on our tradition, values and standing in the community to further the strategic growth and development of the practice with the support of the wider MAPD team.”

Thomson Hayton Winkley’s growth has led to a series of recent additions to its team.

Emma Kelly has joined the private client team, Patricia Boyd and Claire Greenhalgh have been appointed to the residential property department, Hannah Little to commercial property, and Liam Mulholland has joined the agricultural team at The Rural Law Practice.

Further recruitment across the agriculture, dispute resolution, family and private client teams is planned over the coming months.

The firm’s strong ties to the local rural community have seen it take a stand at the Westmorland County Show for many years, and long-standing director John Cooke is president-elect of the Westmorland Agricultural Society. He will take over as its president next year.

Joanna Kingston-Davies, co-founder of the MAPD Group, said: “Suzie’s appointment is a testament to her unwavering commitment to both the firm and the local community.

“She has deep roots in the area and a genuine passion for supporting clients and local businesses, which aligns perfectly with our values. We are thrilled to see her lead the next chapter for Thomson Hayton Winkley and The Rural Law Practice.”