Beckett takes Pinsent Masons FD role

A NEW FD has been appointed at law firm Pinsent Masons.

Charlotte Beckett joins as director of finance from 4 August, after serving with strong-performing Taylor Wessing. Her career in the legal sector began with Berwin Leighton Paisner, where she served as FD. Beckett also spent time in charge of budgeting and planning at COLT Telecom.

A key aspect of her role will be in pushing the firm’s vision of becoming a truly international firm, with ‘world-class service and excellent value’ by 2020. This will include leading a drive towards increased profitability and further international growth in markets including Asia Pacific, the Gulf and Europe.

Beckett succeeds Steve Hancock, who steps down after 16 years in the role. Her appointment brings the board female contingency to three, or a third.

“While we are sorry to be saying farewell to Steve, who has been at the helm during a period of significant UK and international growth, we are delighted to have found someone of Charlotte’s calibre to join our team,” said David Ryan, managing partner at Pinsent Masons. “…Charlotte has impressed the board immensely with her experience and we are confident she is the right person to help us as we embark upon the next phase of the firm’s expansion.”

The firm launched Project Sky earlier in the year, with the aim of ensuring 30% of its partners are female – with the percentage currently at 25%.