Osbornes appoints its first female managing partner

Osbornes Law has appointed Joanne Wescott to be its next managing partner. She becomes the first female managing partner in the fast-developing firm’s 50-year history. It also makes her one of the UK’s youngest managing partners at 41.

The move to managing partner follows a stellar practicing career: Having joined Osbornes in 2013 as an assistant solicitor, Joanne’s ambition soon revealed itself with promotions to associate in 2015, partner in 2017, and an appearance in the Supreme Court in 2018 (Mills). In 2021, she joined the firm’s equity partnership.

It was outgoing managing partner, Stuart Kightley, who canvased the firm’s partnership for their views on his successor:

“It was unanimous,” Stuart says. “Everyone I spoke to suggested Jo. Since she joined the firm over a decade ago, she has embraced every opportunity that has come her way, showing herself to be a forward thinker, commercially astute and a strong leader. I know I am leaving the leadership of Osbornes in the best possible hands.”

Stuart steps down as managing partner, after 30 years at Osbornes, having previously headed the firm’s award-winning personal injury team most recently, leading the firm for the last six years. He remains as Partner Emeritus.

Speaking of her appointment, Joanne says:

“I love Osbornes. Not only is there a real family feel, but I am proud to be in a firm that actively promotes women. We currently have 26 partners, over half of whom are female. It’s also a great place to develop your career; over 70% of our partners were promoted from within.

We’ve grown considerably under Stuart’s leadership, and I’m excited to build upon these amazing foundations and take the business to the next level. One of my early priorities will be embracing all that technology has to offer, driving efficiency and in doing so, demonstrating to our younger solicitors the importance of a good work life balance.”

Paying tribute to Stuart, Joanne says:

“On behalf of everyone at the firm I want to thank Stuart. It is impossible to overstate the positive impact he had on Osbornes. He sets a very high bar and I’m lucky to have had the benefit of Stuart’s counsel as my mentor over the last year, and I will certainly be combining this wisdom with my own ideas as I continue to develop Osbornes.”

Joanne remains a partner in the firm’s family department and continues to represent clients in divorce proceedings and financial settlements.

Osbornes celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023 and was named in the annual list of the UK’s Best Companies to Work For. As part of data released during the listing process, it was revealed that the firm has an average employee age of 38 and an unusually high female to male staff ratio, with 72% female.