Weightmans LLP

Law firm Weightmans has made five new appointments to its insurance practice, bringing specialist expertise across fraud, intelligence, professional indemnity and media. It comes as the team reports 10% revenue growth year-on-year, following strong growth in 2025. Ian McConkey joins as a partner in the firm's Specialty Department in Manchester. Previously a partner and Manchester Location Head at DAC Beachcroft, Ian specialises in disputes, litigation, and professional indemnity claims. He is a recognised expert in media cases and has acted for a major media organisation for over 25 years, including in many high-profile and sensitive matters. Ian has recently been appointed President of Manchester Law Society. James Stevens also joins as a partner in the firm's fraud team. Previously a partner at Kennedys Law, James brings 21 years' experience specialising exclusively in insurance fraud. He has particular expertise in defending high-value organised fraud operations and strategic insurance fraud initiatives across motor, casualty and property claims. James is recognised as a Key Practitioner for Crime and Fraud in the Legal 500 2025. Strategic intelligence investment Weightmans made significant investment in its Intelligence team during early 2026. Ann Dallaway joins from DAC Beachcroft as Fraud and Intelligence Technical Lead, bringing over 22 years' experience as an intelligence specialist. She is joined by two Intelligence Researchers, including Harriet Roman, who also joins from DAC Beachcroft. The appointments build on the 2025 hire of specialist consultant Kate Abrahams, who focuses on intelligence management and ECCTA compliance. Together, they strengthen Weightmans' integrated approach to fraud and intelligence services for insurer clients. Ann will lead the continued development of the firm's fraud and Know Your Opponent (KYO) technology and processes, enhancing the intelligence capability that underpins legal services across the practice. Building on 2025 momentum The appointments follow significant growth during 2025, when the insurance practice made six senior appointments. The team welcomed five partners across Large Loss, Casualty, Clinical Negligence and Motor specialisms, with five internal promotions to senior associate level further strengthening capabilities. Kieran Jones, Head of Insurance at Weightmans, said: "These appointments represent a clear statement of intent about where we're investing. Fraud and intelligence are strategic priorities for us, and we're building capabilities that go well beyond traditional legal services. "Ian's appointment adds significant weight to our Specialty team. With his professional indemnity and media expertise, combined with his role as President of Manchester Law Society, he brings real profile and experience. James strengthens our fraud litigation capability at a time when regulatory changes like ECCTA are creating new challenges for insurers. "The intelligence team expansion is particularly important. Ann's technical expertise and the calibre of people joining demonstrates the ambition we have in this space. We're building an intelligence function that supports not just fraud work but provides valuable insight across all areas of our insurance practice. "These hires give us real momentum as we continue into 2026 with continued focus on expanding international desks and supporting clients through regulatory challenges including Martyn's Law.” ENDS Editor’s Notes Weightmans is a leading law firm with a truly global reach. From FTSE-100 companies to family-owned businesses, from public sector organisations to individuals - we believe in the power of people, innovation and partnership to provide strategic business insight and deep expertise to our clients across the UK and beyond. Weightmans, with 1,700 staff across England, Scotland, and Wales, was named a Top Employer for the 18th time in January 2026, earning a top five spot from the Top Employers Institute. In September 2025, it received EcoVadis’ Gold rating, placing it among the top 5% of law and accounting firms worldwide for ESG and sustainability. In October 2025, it also achieved its highest-ever ranking on the 2025 Social Mobility Employer Index, reaching 15th place in the list. Our purpose is to See the Possibility – in our business, our people and our clients. At Weightmans, we believe thinking differently allows us to see the possibilities others don't. For further information please contact Richard Lackey, PR Manager on 0151 243 3328 or email [email protected]

Weightmans has announced the appointment of Caroline Johnson as its new Claims Director and Executive Board Member. Based in the firm’s London office, Caroline’s arrival marks a major step in Weightmans’ ongoing commitment to advancing its Claims expertise and supporting its Claims clients with industry-leading knowledge and service. With more than 30 years’ experience in the Insurance sector, Caroline has held senior positions at Royal & Sun Alliance, LV=, and most recently as Claims Director at Allianz Personal, where she led a team of 1,500 professionals. Renowned for her leadership, operational excellence, customer focus, and passion for digital transformation, Caroline is widely respected throughout the industry for her strategic insight and dedication to client success. Caroline joins the Weightmans Board as an Executive Director, further strengthening female representation at the firm’s highest level. In preparation for a smooth transition, Caroline is working closely with outgoing Claims Director Rob Williams, who will retire from the Board at the end of the financial year. Sarah Walton, Managing Partner at Weightmans, commented: “Following Rob’s decision to retire from the Board, we saw an opportunity to bring in external expertise that would deliver fresh thinking, broader experience and new perspectives. Our priority was to find someone with a deep understanding of our markets and clients. “Caroline will strengthen our Claims proposition both internally and externally, drive client delivery and operational excellence, and enable senior Claims partners to focus on strategic growth and key client relationships. Her appointment reflects our strategic priorities, and the Board and I are excited to work with her.” Caroline Johnson commented: “I am delighted to join Weightmans at such an exciting time. I am passionate about driving innovation, championing collaboration, and delivering client excellence. I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues to further develop our claims offering and support the firm’s growth ambitions.” Kieran Jones, Head of Insurance, added: "It is great to have Caroline join us, bringing such comprehensive knowledge of what good looks like for Claims clients." This appointment follows a series of significant leadership changes at Weightmans, including the promotion of Catriona Wolfenden and Jane Price to the equity partnership, and the appointment of Chantal Hannell as IT Director.

 This recognition underscores CyXcel’s commitment to delivering top-tier incident response services and enhancing its clients’ cyber resilience   18 March 2025 - Global cybersecurity consultancy, CyXcel, a business division of leading law firm Weightmans LLP, today announced that it is just one of two law firms to achieve NCSC Cyber Incident Response (CIR) Approved Vendor status. This status has been achieved by only 43 companies in total in the UK and is a crucial benchmark for organisations delivering incident response services set by the UK government’s leading cybersecurity authority. It demonstrates CyXcel’s technical capability, experience, and operational effectiveness to handle serious cyber incidents.  This accomplishment aligns with CyXcel’s commitment to excellence and delivering top-tier incident response services for its clients. The NCSC recommends that all UK organisations should use an NCSC assured Cyber Incident Response provider when dealing with cyber incidents as the status offers assurance that a provider meets the stringent technical, procedural, and ethical requirements set. Steve Sandford, Partner, Digital Forensics & Incident Response at CyXcel comments, "This achievement demonstrates that our team has undergone rigorous assessment, meeting the highest industry standards and has strengthened our reputation as a trusted and credible cyber security provider. For our clients, this means confidence in the quality of service they receive, knowing they are engaging with a provider that has been vetted by the UK’s most trusted cybersecurity authority.” Edward Lewis, CEO of CyXcel also said, “Cyber incidents are becoming more frequent, sophisticated, and damaging. Organisations across all sectors face an increasing risk of ransomware attacks, data breaches, and nation-state threats. In this environment, businesses must ensure they engage with trusted, capable, and accredited incident response providers who can handle cyber incidents with the highest level of expertise and professionalism. We are very proud to achieve this status and by committing to these standards, we not only strengthen our own capabilities but also provide our clients with the assurance that their cybersecurity is in the safest possible hands.” Engaging a CIR accredited provider ensures that organisations receive expert assistance when cyber incidents occur. These providers bring a wealth of experience and specialised knowledge, enabling them to swiftly identify, contain, and mitigate security incidents. Their expertise is invaluable in minimising the impact of breaches and preventing future occurrences. By leveraging the skills of accredited professionals, organisations can navigate complex security challenges with greater confidence and efficiency. For further information on the NCSC’s Cyber Incident Response scheme visit: Cyber Incident Response (CIR) - NCSC.GOV.UK About CyXcel CyXcel is a global cybersecurity consultancy, helping organisations safeguard their digital assets against evolving threats. Our integrated approach sets us apart. With experts from cybersecurity, law, regulatory, and geopolitical fields, we offer solutions that address every facet of today’s business challenges. With a focus on resilience, compliance, and innovation, CyXcel delivers advanced security technologies, threat intelligence, and tailored risk management strategies to businesses across industries. Whether you’re responding to data privacy laws, preparing for digital transformation, battling ransomware, or navigating international sanctions, we deliver seamless strategies that make sense in the real world. Our mission is to empower enterprises with the tools and expertise needed to navigate today’s complex cyber landscape with confidence.   A business division of leading law firm Weightmans LLP, CyXcel is just one of two law firms to achieve NCSC Cyber Incident Response (CIR) Approved Vendor status, a crucial benchmark for organisations delivering incident response services set by the UK government’s leading cybersecurity authority. CyXcel was also named Best Cyber Start-Up of the Year at the Cyber Security Awards 2025. For more information, visit www.cyxcel.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X: @CyXcelSecurity.