Holt: pioneered change
Craig Holt, the founder of QualitySolicitors, has left the law firm network, it has been confirmed.
Mr Holt founded the company in 2008 with Saleem Arif, who we understand left the business some months ago.
In a statement issued to member firms today, QS chief executive Eddie Ross said: “Craig Holt has stepped down from his role as president of QS. I wish Craig all the very best with his future endeavours and have no doubt he will go on to great things.
“As the founder of QS, he has provided not only tremendous value to the business but also pioneered change in the legal marketplace.”
Mr Holt told Legal Futures: “All I can say at this point is that I decided to leave QS in order to accept an offer of a leadership position for a significant global legal business. I am, of course, sad to leave the business I founded but this was too good an opportunity to turn down and it felt the right time to move on.”
Mr Holt’s role at the network had appeared to be reducing since the 2011 private equity investment by Palamon Capital, and he was not even present at QS’s annual firm conference in September. He was replaced as chief executive in 2013 and took on the role of president and head of research and development.
In a further change, QS’s chief financial officer Lee Ellis is moving to the Simplify Group – the group created by Palamon earlier this year for the four legal businesses it now owns, including QS – as its transformation director.
Mr Ross said: “Essentially this role has been created as a result of the businesses merging, to understand the synergies and opportunities the group presents. Given Lee’s knowledge of the QS and the capabilities within the network I’m confident that his new role will be able to bring a great many benefits to your firms. The CFO role is now being managed across the group by Nigel Berry, who previously was the finance director for Move With Us.
“I don’t believe that these changes will in any way affect how we work with you and the benefits we provide you as a network, nor do they change our ambitions and focus driving the brand forward.
“Meanwhile, we are working hard with the other businesses in the group to bring tangible benefits to QS firms as quickly as we can. I can increasingly see the scope and potential of these and will be sharing our ideas with you at the next round of regional meetings, if not before.”
Both Eddie Ross and David Grossman, chief executive of the Simplify Group, are speaking at the Legal Futures Annual Conference on 18 November. Tickets are still available – click here for details.
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