Howard Kennedy LLP

Retail is at a pivotal moment, where global trends, transformative technologies, and evolving consumer demands are reshaping the industry at an unprecedented pace. In this context, Howard Kennedy has launched a new retail report, The Edge of Retail 2025, which explores the trends, opportunities, and challenges presented by a dynamic macroeconomic environment. From the UK to global markets, retailers are moving beyond recovery, actively reimagining customer engagement, business operations, and competitive strategies in a rapidly evolving landscape. Our latest insights build on Innovative Resilience, last year's report from Howard Kennedy and selected contributors, reflecting on the retail sector’s ability to navigate a challenging post-COVID world. While resilience defined 2024, this year’s report focuses on growth, innovation, and transformation. EDGE This year’s report is structured around four interconnected themes that encapsulate the opportunities and challenges for the retail sector: Evolve, Disrupt, Grow, and Expand. Evolve Reflect on the economic and strategic trends shaping retail businesses today. Discover how innovative business strategies and advanced technologies help companies navigate challenges and embrace opportunities to thrive in this fast-moving sector. Disrupt Focus on the technology, data, and innovations driving retail into the future. AI, automation, and digital-first solutions are now essential for competitive advantage. See how these disruptive forces are revolutionizing consumer experiences and retail operations. Grow Delve into the human element of retail. People—customers and teams—are at the heart of retail’s success. Aligning purpose with profitability helps businesses build deeper connections with stakeholders. Expand Examine the physical and spatial evolution of retail. Focusing on real estate, urban regeneration, and the future of the physical store, explore how businesses can stay relevant while adapting to a rapidly digitalizing world. This year, we celebrate not only the resilience that has defined retail but also the creativity, ambition, and adaptability that promise a thriving future. We hope the insights and outlook within will inspire retail businesses to push boundaries, embrace innovation, and deliver meaningful experiences to their customers. Sign up for the report now. Howard Kennedy campaign: On the Edge: Redefining Retail in 2025  

As people live longer and enjoy extended retirements, ensuring financial security and a rewarding lifestyle becomes increasingly important.Effective legal and estate planning can provide peace of mind and help address critical concerns. Explore our collection of articles to learn more about securing your future and that of your family: Inheritance Tax (IHT) Planning: How can you maximize your estate for your family? Leveraging existing provisions can help ensure that as much of your wealth as possible is passed on to your loved ones. Supporting Your Family: What steps can you take now to ease the burden on your family as you get older? Planning ahead can help manage care during illness and handle post-death logistics. Non-Executive Director Roles: Are you considering taking on a position as a non-executive director? These roles can offer financial rewards and personal satisfaction while allowing you to use your experience to help newer businesses. Adult Children Living at Home: What are the tax and estate planning considerations when adult children live with their parents? Both generations should be aware of these factors when planning for the future of their family home. Loss of Mental Capacity: How can you protect your business and support affected individuals if you or a key member loses mental capacity? It’s crucial to take action to safeguard operations and staff. Retirement Living Options: What new and exciting options are available for retirement living? Multi-purpose and mixed-use rental schemes are gaining popularity, offering flexible and diverse housing options. Predatory Marriage: How can you protect against predatory marriage? Understanding the risks and potential legal changes can help safeguard vulnerable individuals from those seeking financial advantage. By planning ahead, you can safeguard your assets and ensure a fulfilling retirement. It’s important to navigate the complexities of estate planning, mitigate risks, and explore opportunities for a secure and active future. Delve into our insights and find out how our private wealth team can assist with comprehensive legal and estate planning. Howard Kennedy campaign: legal estate planning for later life  

International divorce presents unique legal challenges, especially for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI), such as international professional athletes and business executives. Beyond Borders is a six-part series that delves into the complexities of cross-border divorce, featuring the fictional story of a Spanish footballer in the Premier League. The series highlights the risks of divorcing abroad and the intricacies of international family law. Written by our international family law expert Olalla Garcia-Arreciado, this series provides valuable insights into managing the financial, personal, and legal impacts of international divorce for international athletes and other UHNWI. Understanding Cross-Border Divorce for International Footballers International divorces often involve multi-jurisdictional conflicts, making issues like financial settlements, asset division, and child arrangements significantly more complex. For UHNWI, these challenges carry substantial financial risk, especially when wealth is spread across multiple countries. Each chapter of the Beyond Borders series addresses critical aspects of cross-border divorce, offering practical strategies to protect assets and navigate legal hurdles effectively. The series follows the fictional case study of Xabier and Sara, examining the legal and financial consequences of international divorce between Spain and England. It provides key insights for international footballers and other UHNWI on the following aspects: Protective Measures for Asset Protection: The importance of marriage contracts and nuptial agreements in safeguarding wealth. Jurisdictional Battles: Navigating the complexities of choosing between English and Spanish courts for financial settlements and other divorce-related issues. Asset Division: Addressing differences in legal definitions of marital and non-marital property across borders. Child Arrangements and Relocation: Discussing the best interests of a child and the involvement of agencies like CAFCASS. Post-Brexit Complications: The effects of Brexit on recognition and enforcement of orders between the UK and the EU. Reopening Financial Claims: The possibility of revisiting financial settlements in England after divorcing abroad. For HNWI and UHNWI, especially those in the public eye, legal matters can be intricate and highly sensitive. With international careers and substantial assets at stake, expert legal guidance is not just advantageous—it’s essential. Check out our case-study and find out how our specialist team can help navigate the complexities of international divorce and protect your financial interests. Howard Kennedy campaign: Beyond Borders - family law for international footballers and UHNWIs    

For developers, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, the real estate sector has transformed. Are you ready? Changes in legislation and regulation, coupled with shifts in the purpose of many developments and buildings, present new challenges—and unprecedented opportunities. How will you navigate and make the most of this dynamic landscape? In this series, our experienced real estate team discusses key topics and shares crucial insights with developers, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking the best, most up-to-date advice. REALISE Change needs to happen faster. We need solutions that don’t create more complexity and hinder innovation and development. REIMAGINE Is now the time for innovation and reimagining opportunities in real estate? More than ever, there is a need to think differently about how we develop for the future. REVIEW The past few years have seen significant changes in the real estate sector, from the Building Safety Act 2022 to planning reforms. With a new government in play, how can the real estate sector embrace positive plans to rejuvenate development in the UK? Explore our series of articles today to stay informed and ahead in the real estate sector. Find out how our experts can help you navigate and capitalize on the opportunities in this evolving landscape. Howard Kennedy campaign: Real estate, real change, real expertise  

Howard Kennedy is pleased to announce the appointment of two high-profile partners to add further strength to its dispute resolution team.Contentious insolvency partner, Crispin Daly, and international arbitration partner Heidrun (Heidi) Walsh join the Commercial Dispute Resolution department. Crispin joined Monday (7 October) and specialises in complex domestic and cross-border insolvency and litigation matters, representing various stakeholders in both contentious and non-contentious scenarios. He is recognized as a "Rising Star" in the Legal 500 for corporate restructuring and insolvency and is listed in Best Lawyers: Insolvency and Restructuring Ones to Watch in the United Kingdom (2023 and 2024). Crispin brings his expertise to the firm's expanding Insolvency practice, having previously worked as a Senior Associate at Paul Hastings LLP. Heidi joined yesterday (8 October) and provides legal counsel and representation in international arbitrations across the major institutions, including ICSID, LCIA, ICC, VIAC, and in ad hoc arbitrations. She has experience in oil and gas, telecommunications, shareholders and investment arbitration disputes. At Howard Kennedy, she will work with the head of international arbitration, partner Duncan Bagshaw, and partner Arish Barucha to enhance the firm's international arbitration offering. Heidi speaks English, German, and Spanish and will expand the firm's European presence. She has been recognized as a Future Leader in Who's Who Legal: Arbitration and as a Rising Star in Legal 500, 2024. Heidi joins Howard Kennedy from Mishcon de Reya. Craig Emden, Managing Partner at Howard Kennedy, says: "We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Heidi and Crispin to our team. Heidi's expertise will significantly enhance our international arbitration team's robust capabilities reinforcing our European presence. In addition, Crispin's extensive experience in insolvency matters arrives at a critical time, aligning with current trends particular in the retail sector, and adding substantial value to our award-winning insolvency practice. Our disputes department has gone from strength to strength and their appointments will only further strengthen the team's outstanding growth." Crispin Daly, commented, "I am excited to join Howard Kennedy as a new insolvency partner. I will use my experience in insolvency and restructuring to deliver strategic and innovative solutions for our clients, further strengthening the firm's insolvency offering." Commenting on her appointment, Heidi adds: "Howard Kennedy's reputation and impact in the international arbitration market has grown significantly in the last few years. I'm looking forward to working with Duncan and the team to build on that strong reputation and develop our offering across Europe and beyond." Heidi and Crispin are the sixth and seventh new partners to join this year. Their appointments are also the 27th and 28th partner appointments since the implementation of the firm's growth plan in May 2021. Their appointment follows the recent additions of Ellis Gardner-Browne a real estate partner and Marc Naidoo a partner in the banking and real estate finance team.  

London law firm, Howard Kennedy is pleased to welcome Ellis Gardner-Browne, who joins the firm as a real estate partner yesterday (1 October 2024). Ellis has extensive expertise across the investment, retail and leisure, and petroleum sectors. He specialises in investment and occupier acquisitions and disposals, handling multi-jurisdictional transactions and projects related to Motorway Service and petrol forecourt portfolios, large sheds, logistic facilities, and retail parks for UK and offshore private funds, institutional and industry leading clients. Ellis joins from Shoosmiths LLP where he was a partner for 10 years. Ellis previously served as an elected member of the Partnership Council at Shoosmiths LLP and has held various Non-Executive Director roles outside of law, acquiring valuable C-Suite experience. Commenting on his appointment Craig Emden, Managing Partner at Howard Kennedy said: "Ellis' significant commercial real estate experience reinforces our team's impressive offering. His work in retail parks and large sheds will help continue to expand our reputation in the logistics sector, where we are seeing an increasing demand, as well as expanding our offering in the Retail & Leisure sector." Ellis says, "I am excited to join one of London's largest and most reputable Real Estate teams. I hope to enhance Howard Kennedy's investment, commercial occupier, energy and retail services and look forward to collaborating with the team to assist clients in navigating the dynamic real estate landscape." Ellis is the fifth partner to join this year and the 26th partner appointment since the implementation of the firm's growth plan in May 2021.  

James Stewart to succeed Craig Emden as managing partner Following an election by the partnership, James Stewart will become the new managing partner of Howard Kennedy with effect from 1 May 2025. James will take over from Craig Emden, who has been managing partner of Howard Kennedy since 2017 and will have completed his permitted two four-year terms as managing partner, having previously been joint managing partner for more than three years. Under Craig's leadership Howard Kennedy has seen significant growth. Since his appointment the firm's revenue has grown by 45% to £74.4m, with profits growing by more than 30% in the same period. Since 2017 the partnership has doubled with an additional 35 partners. The broader headcount has also grown with almost 140 people joining the firm. James' total time at Howard Kennedy spans almost 19 years, having first joined the firm in May 1997 and then re-joining in May 2017. James currently holds the position of Head of Real Estate.  Over the course of his career, specialising in construction, he has successfully led complex, high-profile cases, advising clients across a broad range of sectors with a particular specialism in development and development finance for residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. James works with developers, funders, consultants, and subcontractors, offering guidance from project inception to completion, including managing defects and account issues. He also handles dispute resolution matters including mediation, adjudication, and arbitration, addressing matters such as professional negligence, delay claims, and insolvency-related disputes. James' appointment to managing partner-elect marks an exciting milestone for Howard Kennedy. To ensure a smooth transition of the leadership, from Monday 4 November, James will begin a six-month shadow period alongside Craig before a formal handover on 1 May 2025. Commenting on his appointment, James says, "I am honoured to have been elected managing partner. The firm is in an exciting growth period, and I look forward to continuing to grow the business through my vision and strategy over the next four years. "In the meantime, I want to thank Craig for all that he has done for the firm as managing partner. The exceptional growth and culture we've seen at Howard Kennedy would not have been possible without his strong vision and leadership."  Current Managing Partner, Craig Emden adds, "I am thrilled to hand the role of managing partner over to James and to watch his strategic vision for Howard Kennedy come to life. James not only understands the needs of our business and cares deeply about the success of the firm, but first and foremost, he cares about the success and achievements of our people. I have known James for more than 25 years and I feel a great sense of comfort in knowing that the future of our firm will be in such capable hands."  Howard Kennedy under Craig's leadership (2017 – to date) Revenue up from £51.2m to £74.4m – up 45% Profits up from £15.7m to £20.5m– up 31% Partner numbers have increased from 52 to 70 People numbers have gone from c. 362 to 488 – a 38% increase In March 2023 Howard Kennedy completed its merger with Corbett & Co, an international construction law boutique.