Cumbria-based Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has announced managing director Peter Stafford will retire at the end of September, concluding more than 25 years with the firm and a decade as managing partner.
Stafford will be succeeded by Joanne Stronach, currently a director and head of employment and HR at Cartmell Shepherd. Stronach’s appointment has received the unanimous support of the firm’s board of directors.
Reflecting on his tenure, Stafford said:
“It’s been an honour to lead the team for the past 10 years, but the time is right for me to step down and enjoy my retirement. I’m delighted that Joanne will be taking over as managing director and bringing her expertise, experience and people skills to the role. As a legal firm, we are always looking to the future by making the right choices, and Joanne’s appointment will ensure we continue to build on our successes and move forward.”
Under Stafford’s leadership, Cartmell Shepherd has expanded significantly through organic growth and acquisition, including the acquisition of Hexham-based Nicholson Portnell in 2024 and the opening of its first new office in three decades with its West Cumbria branch in 2018. He also guided the firm through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and oversaw its membership in the UK200Group, a national network of law firms and accountants.
The firm, which employs nearly 130 staff, operates across Cumbria, Northumberland and nationally, with seven offices located in Carlisle (two sites), Brampton, Penrith, Cockermouth, Haltwhistle, and Hexham.
Highlighting his commitment to fostering a supportive and approachable culture within the firm, Stafford said:
“My aim was for us to be the opposite of the old-fashioned, grey-suited law firm by ensuring that our culture, communications and branding all reflected a less formal approach while still delivering the same professional, expert, practical legal advice. My ultimate aim was to make visiting a solicitor a less daunting proposition for people.”
And, he added, he was proud of the firm’s growing community engagement:
“We’ve definitely become a more outward-looking company over the past decade. We don’t just support community events and not-for-profit organisations financially; our teams are encouraged to actively get involved, which makes all the difference.”
Stronach, who joined Cartmell Shepherd in 2018, has more than 30 years of experience advising businesses across the region and will become the firm’s first female managing director. Commenting on her appointment, Stronach said:
“Having the confidence of the board and the wider Cartmell Shepherd team that I’m the right person for the job is hugely important to me. I’m proud to have an expert, dynamic, innovative board of directors supporting me who understand that the legal industry is evolving rapidly and who are committed to embracing new technology to help us move with it. I’m looking forward to building on everything we have achieved over the past 10 years, and continuing to grow and develop the firm to both embrace the opportunities and meet the challenges ahead.”
