Neil Black named as head of Pinsent Masons’ Manchester office

Having joined the firm in 2005, Neil currently heads up the Employment & Reward team in Manchester. Neil, who takes up his post on 1st May, will take over from corporate partner Helen Ridge who is retiring from the firm following a 16 year career at Pinsent Masons. Helen has led the firm’s Manchester office since 2007 through a period of significant growth.

An employment law specialist, Neil has recently advised on a number of high-profile matters and is a trusted adviser to the likes of Wincanton, Costain, Mondelez, Weetabix, Rolls-Royce and Jaguar LandRover.

John Cleland, Managing Partner at Pinsent Masons, said: “Helen has been instrumental in leading Pinsent Masons’ presence in Manchester since 2007 and we thank her for her contribution to the firm. Neil is a well-respected and established lawyer in the North West who’s experience leading the Manchester employment practice will be an asset as the Manchester office embarks on its next chapter.”

Lawyers based in the firm’s Manchester office have led on a range of significant transactions in recent years such as advising Kids Planet Day Nurseries on its 17 acquisitions and majority sale to Fremman Capital, acting for the shareholders on the sale of SRL Traffic Systems Limited and advising on the merger of two northern-based price comparison websites Ice-lolly.com and Travel Supermarket.

Commenting on his appointment Neil Black said: ““I am looking forward to building on the great work that Helen has done. The North West is a thriving, dynamic region with a burgeoning global reputation. With the collaboration and support of my colleagues I will look to strengthen our existing commitment to the North West market whilst utilising our fantastic network of international offices to support clients in the region who are looking to thrive in the global marketplace.”