Deloitte Legal announces Chris Hardman as UK managing partner

Chris Hardman has been appointed as managing partner for Deloitte Legal in the UK.

Previously head of corporate law for Deloitte Legal, Hardman brings extensive experience of building successful businesses and delivering legal services in the firm’s multidisciplinary model.

Hardman joined Deloitte seven years ago, having played significant roles in developing legal businesses within broader professional services, and practising at two international law firms. Leveraging his extensive legal background and strategic development expertise, Hardman now oversees Deloitte Legal’s next phase of growth in the UK.

Hardman, who is based in Manchester, said: “We are at a really exciting point in the evolution of Deloitte Legal. Clients are navigating complex, large-scale change driven by transactions, regulation and transformation, and they want a partner who can help them deliver, not just advise. We combine legal expertise with real design and implementation capability, bringing together lawyers, consultants and AI engineers to work as one team.

“The multidisciplinary legal business we have built, and the inclusive, collaborative and entrepreneurial culture behind it, are central to this ambition. The focus now is on accelerating our momentum through continued investment in our people, strengthening the capabilities that differentiate us, and ensuring we are the first call for clients tackling complex change at scale.”

Hardman takes over the role from Richard Punt who will continue to focus on his responsibilities as the firm’s global Legal leader – a position he has held since June 2023.

Richard Punt added: “I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made in the UK, and now is the right time for Chris to take on the leadership role.

“Chris and I share the strategic vision that AI can transform the value of legal through the delivery of better business outcomes. Our focus is on driving the AI-powered transformation of legal services, including developing our collaboration with Legora in the UK and beyond. Chris brings the direction and expertise to drive growth through delivering integrated solutions to clients’ legal and business challenges. I look forward to supporting his success in my global role.”

New legal partners

Deloitte Legal has further strengthened the partnership with three new partner promotions:

• Tom Birdseye – Tom is a member of Deloitte UK’s legal management consultancy team and operates at the forefront of the legal GenAI agenda. He leads on strategic transformation work for corporate legal departments and law firm clients.
• George Hawkins – George leads the quality and risk team and is the chief operating officer for Deloitte Legal in the UK. Leveraging his regulatory and risk leadership experience, George oversees the firm's operational effectiveness in client service.
• Ben Holguin – Ben is a member of the Deloitte Legal corporate team. He designs and implements complex reorganisation, structuring and supply chain projects for clients.

Deloitte Legal is part of the firm’s Tax and Legal practice which turned over £1.33 billion last year and employs around 4,500 people in the UK.

ENDS