Pinsent Masons appoints Andrea McIlroy-Rose as head of Belfast Office

Andrea was the first female partner of leading Belfast firm L'Estrange & Brett when they merged with McGrigors in 2009 and then Pinsent Masons in 2012.  For the last four years Andrea has led the Belfast property team of 14 lawyers and in addition she has an elected board position on the firm's remuneration and partnership committee as well as being head of the firm's UK retail property team.

The appointment follows a very busy year at Pinsent Masons in Belfast with stand-out projects in the last 12 months including: the purchase of Lisnagelvin shopping centre for Cordatus; acting for international investment fund MedicX in the development of the Kings Hall complex as a primary care and supported living village; the development of new Northern Ireland headquarters for Concentrix and Allstate; and the purchase of Viridian by I-Squared Capital.

Andrea has a special interest in diversity and inclusion and since 2013 has been the international chair of the firm's female networking group, Female Futures whose membership spans all of the 23 Pinsent Masons offices. In recognition of her work in this field Andrea was recently shortlisted in the Legal Adviser of the Year category of the inaugural Women in Finance Awards 2017 to be held in London at the end of June.

Pinsent Masons Managing Partner John Cleland said:

"Andrea's outstanding reputation in the market, her commitment to clients and the dynamic leadership she has already shown in her various roles have made her the natural choice to steer our Northern Ireland office through a period of planned investment and growth.  The firm is committed to the consolidation of our position within the local market and the Belfast office remains an integral part of our expanding network of offices."

Andrea McIlroy-Rose said:

"I am delighted to have been asked to take up this position and to have the opportunity to lead the office through a challenging but very exciting period of change. I am extremely lucky to work with an outstanding team of almost 90 staff and we remain committed to and focused upon the local market and the advantages and expertise that an international law firm can provide to both our clients and the community."

Andrea's appointment coincided with the announcement of the acquisition by Pinsent Masons of the specialist diversity consultancy Brook Graham for an undisclosed sum. The strategic management consultancy supports businesses with the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion programmes to promote more inclusive workplaces.