Rod Waldie to succeed Michael Ward as Gateley CEO

Legal and professional services group Gateley announced on Wednesday that Rod Waldie, who is currently the senior office partner of the Manchester office as well as a “key member” of the group's management board and head of the national property team, has been chosen to succeed Michael Ward as the new chief executive officer when Ward stands down on 30 April.

The AIM-traded firm said that after standing down, Ward would remain a main board director and would be responsible for the non-legal businesses within the group.

He would also retain a significant shareholding in Gateley for the foreseeable future.

The board explained that succession planning was an “important part” of Gateley's corporate governance, adding it was “key” to ensuring that the prosperity and collaborative culture of the business were maintained in the long term.

It said the early addressing and announcement of its succession plans had been undertaken to enable a managed and orderly handover to take place.

As part of its deliberations, the board said it conducted a “thorough review” of the attributes required of a new CEO, and agreed that an internal appointment was the best way to ensure the continuation of the group's sustainable growth strategy, as well as preserving its culture.

It explained that Waldie had been a key member of the group's management board since joining the business via the acquisition of the Manchester office of Halliwells in 2010.

He was currently the senior office partner of the Manchester office, led the group's national property team and had been involved in the successful integration of a number of Gateley's post-IPO acquisitions including Gateley Capitus, Gateley Hamer and GCL Solicitors.

Waldie would shadow Ward on all CEO related activities in the run-up to his official appointment, and would join the board as CEO on 1 May next year.

He would be introduced to investors at the group's final results roadshow this month, and would attend the company's annual general meeting on 19 September, at which all attendees would have the opportunity to meet him.

Waldie’s appointment remained subject to the completion of regulatory due diligence checks, the board confirmed.

“We are delighted that Rod has agreed to lead the business, when Michael stands down as CEO in April next year,” said Gateley non-executive chairman Nigel Payne.

“We are also delighted that after standing down, Michael's commitment to the group will continue both as an executive director and as a significant shareholder.

“Our choice of an internal appointment to succeed Michael and our early addressing of succession allow for a smooth transition to a highly successful and respected colleague, who already knows the business, understands our collaborative culture, has excellent client relationships and is committed to the group's growth strategy.”