Law firm Foot Anstey has appointed a key figure from boohoo to its Manchester office.
Tom Kershaw, who was general counsel and company secretary at the listed online retailer, has been named as retail & consumer partner at Foot Anstey.
He will seek to further bolster Foot Anstey’s established retail and consumer offering in Manchester and across the North of England.
Kershaw brings deep experience across the commercial and consumer regulatory landscape, advising founder-led and listed businesses alike. His practice focuses on commercial matters, with a unique focus in regulatory investigations, ESG and corporate reputation management.
In a fast-evolving regulatory landscape, responding to the growth of eCommerce and online retail sales – which now account for 27% of total retail sales – is critical. Foot Anstey says it is well-placed to advise founders, boards and high-growth retail and consumer businesses on navigating this dynamic environment and meeting the complex compliance demands.
Kershaw’s arrival follows the appointment of IP and media expert Melanie McGuirk in Manchester earlier this year.
“Tom joins us at a pivotal moment in our growth strategy and it is a pleasure to welcome him to Foot Anstey,” said managing partner Martin Hirst.
“With a technical and practical reputation that precedes him, Tom will not only prove to be an indispensable asset to clients but also a key driver in solidifying our credentials at a national level.”
Kershaw commented: “Retailers are navigating a perfect storm of challenges right now — from evolving consumer expectations and digital transformation, to complex ESG demands, regulatory scrutiny and supply chain uncertainty.
“The pace of change is relentless, but that’s exactly what makes it such an exciting space to be in as a lawyer. I’m delighted to join a firm that is growing as rapidly as its clients and I’m excited about the opportunity ahead.
“Leveraging a decade of experience advising founders and the board of one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers, I look forward to helping bring Foot Anstey’s leading retail expertise to clients in Manchester and across the North of England.”
Impact of new Man Utd stadium on Manchester’s green credentials