Helen Drayton
Chief executive officer
Helen is chief executive of Penningtons Manches Cooper and is responsible for the development and implementation of the firm’s growth strategy. She oversees the day-to-day management of the firm, working alongside its strategy, executive and operational boards, and moves between its offices to help deliver its purpose: advising clients on how to achieve the best real-world outcomes in an increasingly complex business environment.
Under Helen’s leadership, the firm is recognised in the latest legal directories for ‘consistently high-quality work’ across business, private individual, real estate, and dispute resolution matters. The firm also features in The Times Best Law Firms, reaffirming its status as one of the leading legal practices in England and Wales. Under her leadership, the firm has made headway in successful lateral recruitment.
We are focused on growth through delivering the highest quality of service to our clients. Integral to this strategy is our unique culture – something clients and our people alike comment on – which comes down to giving everyone the opportunity to make the most of their working and personal lives.
Heading the firm’s responsible business committee, Helen is active in pursuing its ambition to be the most human law firm – within practice teams and with clients, as well as in its wider communities. She is a passionate advocate for social mobility and personally oversees programmes to ensure that the firm’s door is open to all and that people feel valued and empowered to make the most of their working and personal lives.
Prior to taking on the role of chief executive in 2022, Helen headed the firm’s business services division and was a partner in its corporate team. She has advised a wide range of clients on all aspects of company law, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on MBO transactions and property-related disposals and purchases, as well as group reorganisations and demergers.
Recent work highlights
Three-year strategic plan
Net zero
Efficiency
Equal access to opportunity
EMpower programme
Client focus
External recognition
What people are saying
Developing client engagement skills requires commitment to behavioural change and an evolution of culture. Helen provides the direction and strategic thinking that can be rare to find in law firms.
An ’eminent practitioner in corporate/M&A’.
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