The new exec bolsters the diversity of the firm's leadership
Former Shine Group COO and lawyer Cath Evans has been named Wotton + Kearney’s (W+K) inaugural COO in an appointment that the firm said bolsters the diversity of its executive team.
“We are absolutely delighted that Cath is joining our leadership team. Her experience, skills and style are a great fit for Wotton + Kearney as we pursue an accelerated growth strategy in our chosen sector of the legal services market and continue to invest in our People First culture,” CEP David Kearney said.
Evans brings to W+K a wealth of experience as a law firm executive. In addition to her stint as Shine Group COO, she led Shine Lawyers as CEO from 2017 to 2018. She was also the CEO of Slater and Gordon (UK) and Australia COO from 2012 to 2015.
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At present, she is a non-executive director at Colac Area Health and Western Victoria Primary Health Network. She is also chairing not-for-profit organisation Wayss, which focuses on addressing homelessness and family violence in Melbourne.
“W+K is a firm deeply committed to the delivery of high-quality legal services, creation of an environment for its people to excel, and is progressive in its outlook – I see this as a great opportunity to work with a group of highly motivated industry leaders,” Evans said.
In her new role, Evans becomes a key member of W+K’s management committee and executive team. Kearney said that he was eager to collaborate with her on the execution of the firm’s growth strategy.
“Over the past five years, Wotton + Kearney has grown firm revenue by 130% and partner numbers by 190%. Today, we are a very different legal business having moved to an incorporated model in 2019 with a view to allowing our firm to invest in technological and other changes required to become a better business partner to our clients and to grow our expertise to further assist our clients’ claims needs,” Kearney explained. “Cath has significant learnings around how to execute on sustainable and profitable growth in a way where our focus remains on our people and our key business partners – our insurer clients.”
Evans kicked off her tenure with W+K on Monday.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with her as we implement our ‘Towards 2025’ strategy to accelerate growth in a way which further enhances our clients’ experiences and continues to improve our operational and financial performance,” Kearney said.