Gardner Leader Announces Double-Digit Growth Amid Wave of New Hires

21 July 2025, UK: Leading regional law firm Gardner Leader has announced a period of significant firmwide growth as 21 new team members join across its seven office locations – marking a 9.7% increase in headcount since the beginning of 2025. 

Now employing over 191, these latest appointments include Senior Associates Luchia Hirst, Charlotte Fox, and Rosie Deller, as well as Associates Amanda Collins and Annabelle Randell and Solicitor, Kezia Brown. Lynsey Smith has also joined as Partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution team. 

Part of Gardner Leader’s Wills, Probate and Estate Planning team in Swindon, Luchia Hirst brings with her over a decade of experience. Moving from Goughs Solicitors, Luchia specialises in administering simple and complex estates, the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney, and the creation of Wills. 

Luchia said: “Gardner Leader has a strong reputation for handling sensitive matters with care, compassion, and clarity. Supporting both individuals and families and helping them reach constructive solutions is incredibly important to me, I’m proud to be part of a team that truly reflects those values." 

Private Client Senior Associate, Charlotte Fox joins the firm’s Wills, Probate & Estate Planning team in Thatcham. After spending a decade at Barrett and Co Solicitors, Charlotte specialises in administering complex, high net worth Estates both in the UK and internationally, advising Executors on inheritance tax implications, preparing Wills that optimise tax-free allowances, and guiding clients on their duties under a Power of Attorney. 

Charlotte said: "I was drawn to Gardner Leader’s strong regional presence and its people-first culture. There’s a real emphasis on both client care and team collaboration. I’m looking forward to contributing to a firm that values both tradition and innovation in equal measure." 

Partner, Lynsey Smith and Associates, Annabelle Randell and Amanda Collins, and Solicitor Kezia Brown all join the firm’s Dispute Resolution team, from IBB Law, Moore Barlow and Allan Janes respectively. 

Gardner Leader has been at the heart of the Thames Valley community for over 130 years. With offices in Newbury, Maidenhead, Thatcham, Oxford, Swindon, Windsor and London, the firm has more than tripled in size over the last 10 years, expanding across the South of England. Its highly experienced team of legal professionals work across six specialist teams each dedicated to providing services to businesses and to individuals. 

Derek Rodgers, Managing Partner at Gardner Leader, said: “Over the last five years we have made incredible progress in cementing our position as one of the leading law firms across the south of England. A part of this strategy has been to attract and retain some of the UK’s leading legal experts, as well as providing plenty of opportunity for aspiring talent. 

“Our commitment to our clients includes delivering extraordinary service, advice and peace of mind; this is unwavering and as important as ever to us. It’s fantastic to welcome Lynsey, Luchia, Charlotte, Amanda, Annabelle, Kezia and the rest of this years’ new starters to the Gardner Leader team. We’re looking forward to seeing how their expertise will help shape the work we deliver in the coming months and years.” 

Ends

Editors notes

With offices in Newbury, Thatcham, Maidenhead, Windsor, Swindon, Oxford and London, Gardner Leader is a leading regional law firm across the Thames Valley and south of England, offering a wide range of legal services for businesses and individuals.  

In the Legal 500 prestigious guide for 2022 the firm was described as ‘shining above all with their approachable and friendly way of doing things’, with Partner Niamh Minihane named as a “Next Generation Partner”, and Katie Dyson, Partner, singled out as a “Rising Star.”  

In 2024 the firm won LawNet’s ‘Law Firm of the Year - £6m turnover and above’ award, a title it last won in 2016, and was highly commended in the ‘Best Innovation’ category. In the same year, Gardner Leader also won ‘Law Firm of the Year’ at The Royal Berkshire Property Awards. In 2018 the firm won ‘Best in Business’ and ‘Best in Customer Service’ awards in the Newbury Weekly News award, and in 2016 it won the Halsbury Legal Award in Business Development. Other awards include the LawNet Excellence in Employee Engagement award (2015), Highly Commended in the Regional Conveyancing Firm of the Year category in the 2015 National Conveyancing Awards and Commended. In 2024, the firm was named as the ‘Best SME’ at the Maidenhead & District Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) Community & Business Awards.  

The firm was first founded in 1895. It has over 200 members of staff. Its team of highly experienced and friendly solicitors are all specialist, specifically dedicated to their areas of expertise. Each team is driven by what matters to the client and committed to delivering results.  

Gardner Leader services to business and services to individuals include:  

• Corporate (e.g., M&As, venture capital & private equity transactions, management buyouts and shareholder agreements)  
• Commercial (including commercial contracts, IP, IT and procurement)  
• Real Estate for Businesses  
• Life Sciences  
• Dispute Resolution  
• Employment (for individuals and businesses)  
• Family (such as family breakdowns and divorce and pre-nuptial agreements)  
• Residential Property  
• Wills, Probate and Estate Planning  
• Charity  
• Crime  

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