Top 100 law firm has appointed two commercial lawyers to senior positions at its Manchester office to bolster commercial growth across the North West.

Susan Honeyands and Rolla Rostam, who have over 40 years of combined experience in commercial law practice, join Ward Hadaway as a partner and director respectively, in a move that amplifies the Chapel Walks-based firm’s expansion.

As part of the commercial team, they will have a specific focus on leisure, retail and FMCG clients where day to day legal services range from negotiating commercial agreements for new attractions, concerts, special events, sponsorships and promotions to the full range of supply, logistics and procurement contracts and data protection policies.

Damien Charlton, a partner and head of commercial at Ward Hadaway, said: “The North West is a buoyant hub for commercial activity in the UK, especially across the leisure and retail sectors, where the region performs particularly strongly. The diverse range of expertise our team brings to the table has enabled strong growth across the area, as we’ve taken on new clients and broadened our range of services. Susan and Rolla bolster our ability to work with businesses across the region, within the leisure, retail and consumer-facing industries. Their collective commercial experience is to be admired and is a welcome asset to the team. It’s great to have them on board.”

Ward Hadaway’s Manchester office boasts a growing team of over 50, and the appointments follow a range of recent promotions across the firm. The office in Chapel Walks is also undergoing a £500,000 refurbishment with the firm’s hybrid working model now fully operational following the end of pandemic restrictions. With offices in Leeds and Newcastle, Ward Hadaway employs over 450 people, of which 97 are partners.

Commenting on her appointment, Susan Honeyands, said: “I wasn’t actively seeking a new opportunity but there was something different about Ward Hadaway that, in all my years as a lawyer, I’d not seen before. After talking to members of the senior management team, it was clear the firm truly cares about its people. Private practice is fast paced, but Ward Hadaway takes such a refreshing approach to work/life balance, a real investment in well-being initiatives and enabling the team to work flexibly whilst meeting the demands of their role.

“I’ve worked with Rolla for many years and it’s great to start this new venture with her. We’re looking forward to meeting more businesses across the region, getting to know how they operate and how we can help from a legal and compliance perspective.”

Susan and Rolla previously worked together at Knights PLC and TLT solicitors in senior roles. At Knights, Susan was head of the commercial and corporate department and, during her tenure at TLT, she was part of the leisure, retail and consumer goods teams.

Director Rolla Rostam added: “Ward Hadaway has a great reputation both in the North West and nationally for the legal services it delivers. The firm is on an exciting growth trajectory, attracting leading law professionals with specific specialisms. It is developing a highly agile team where lawyers can advise on specific and complex issues within a full-service offering. Add to this the upcoming refurbishment of our Manchester headquarters and proactivity in attaining new clients across diverse sectors, the future is positive.”