L-R: Melanie Grose, Jo Morgan, Kirsty Davey, Rachel Pearce, Abi Lutey, Sarah Evans, and Sarah Cornish

Seven new business owners have been appointed at Coodes Solicitors, as part of the south west legal firm’s futureproofing and succession planning strategy.

Partners Sarah Cornish, Kirsty Davey, Sarah Evans, Melanie Grose, Abi Lutey, Jo Morgan, and Rachel Pearce join the six other business owners across a network of offices in Cornwall and Devon headed by chairman and partner Peter Lamble.

The expansion brings the total number of business owners to 13 and is the first time in the firm’s history that there are more female managing partners compared to male – the promotions increase the firm’s proportion of female partners to nearly 70%.

The new owners will contribute to making key decisions about the business, as well as helping to plan and shape the firm’s growth and leadership.

Coodes, which provides specialist legal services across the region, became a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in 2014 and moved from previously having one managing partner to a business-owned model with an executive board of four members.

Commenting on the announcement, Lamble said: “We are focusing on building the firm of the future, creating a pool of talent to ensure that we have an even stronger foundation to enable Coodes to grow further.

“All these individuals have demonstrated a strong loyalty and commitment and they have the necessary skills to contribute to the success of the business, coach and develop our new and upcoming talent and to further the firm’s strategy. It is vitally important for us to have the right people in place who can lead the business beyond our current ownership. Our people are key to our success.”