Independent law firm Brabners has appointed corporate partner Ruth Hargreaves as its new Head of Corporate, following a strong 12 months for the team, during which it advised on more than £762m worth of deals.
Ruth’s planned succession of Mark Rathbone in the role follows year-on-year growth for Brabners’ 76-strong corporate team, which she will head as it continues to build on its sector-led investment and the firm’s expanding national platform.
In the 12 months from May 2025 to the end of April 2026, Brabners’ corporate team advised on transactions with a combined value of £762.3m, up from £465.1m in the previous 12-month period.
Ruth trained at Brabners before moving in-house as senior legal counsel at global technology company TomTom. She returned to the firm in 2017 as a senior associate and has since spent almost nine years with Brabners, during which time she has been promoted to partner.
It also follows a period of wider momentum for Brabners, which is opening a new London office. For FY2024-25, the firm reported annual revenues of £60.2m and pre-tax profits of £20.3m, marking an eighth consecutive year of profitable growth. It has also recently secured B Corp recertification and set out a roadmap to reach net zero by 2040.
Brabners’ corporate team has continued to invest in specialist expertise across key markets and sectors, including private equity, technology, sport and tax. Recent strategic appointments include tax partner Euri Yoon, strengthening the firm’s ability to provide full-service support to clients across the lifecycle of a transaction, and corporate partner Stuart Hatcher, who joined from Forsters to help anchor the firm’s new London platform.
Ruth Hargreaves, Head of Corporate at Brabners, said: “It’s a privilege to take on the role of Head of Corporate at such an exciting point in the team’s development.
“We’re operating in a challenging environment, but there’s still capital in the market and a clear appetite among ambitious businesses and investors to pursue the right opportunities. We’re seeing signs of cautious optimism, with continued activity across private equity, owner-managed businesses and key sectors including technology, sport and healthcare. The issue for many now is confidence – having the conviction to invest or exit at the right time and with the right support around them.
“In recent years at Brabners, we’ve invested in the sectors and markets where we know we can make the greatest difference for clients, and that approach has stood us in good stead. We’re able to continue to invest in our people, deepen our sector expertise and support all types of companies through every stage of their growth journey.”
Nik White, Managing Partner at Brabners, added: “Ruth’s appointment is a landmark moment for Brabners and our corporate team. She’s a trusted adviser to clients and a hugely respected colleague who embodies the culture and ambition of the firm. Her breadth of experience makes her exceptionally well placed to lead the team through its next phase of growth.
“Our corporate team is one of the largest and most active in the north, and Ruth’s leadership will ensure we continue to build on its success while staying true to Brabners’ distinctive identity.”
