Napthens appoints leading regional dealmaker as head of Liverpool

Leading North West law firm Napthens has welcomed Kieran Donovan as partner and new head of its Liverpool office, with the established dealmaker set to lead operations across the city region.

Kieran brings over 20 years of corporate transactional experience to the firm and joins from Weightmans, where he led its owner-managed business group across the Liverpool city region from 2017 to 2022. Previously, he was head of corporate at a regional law firm and prior to that a partner at an international law firm, operating out of Liverpool.

Acting for a wide range of clients from early-stage ventures to established owner-managed businesses, family companies, large corporates, and institutional investors, Kieran works across a wide range of industry sectors. He regularly advises on M&A, buy-and-build strategies, disposals, venture capital, private equity and other investments, succession planning, joint ventures and shareholder reorganisations.

Kieran is recognised in the prestigious Legal 500 as a ‘leading individual’ in corporate law in the North West of England. He is also Chair of the Liverpool City Region Corporate Finance Group that comprises 50 plus members across the city region’s corporate finance community.

Kieran will continue this work in his new role and will be responsible for continued development of the firm’s Liverpool offering. His appointment follows a series of senior hires over the past 12 months and a significant upgrade to a larger city centre office location in The Plaza on Old Hall Street. 

Kieran will work alongside Gareth McIntegart, a leading regional dealmaker and Legal 500 ‘leading individual’.  Having joined Napthens in 2016 and launched its Liverpool office in 2018, Gareth has driven forward the firm’s corporate offering and the full service capabilities that are now locally available from its Liverpool office.  He has been instrumental in Napthens’ success to date and, alongside his in-house client roles, will continue to play a pivotal role with Kieran in developing the office going forward. 

Alexandra Hatchman, CEO at Napthens, said: “Kieran joins the firm at an exciting time. Our Liverpool team has recently opened a new office whilst our corporate team, led by Keith Melling, has just achieved a record year. Kieran, Gareth and Keith have known each other for many years, and form a potent combination. I am looking forward to the success they will achieve working together.”

Speaking on his appointment, Kieran Donovan said: “The Liverpool City Region has a rich community of high-growth businesses, investors and professional services and there is huge potential here for Napthens. The firm’s reputation for building strong, lasting relationships with its clients and intermediary connections through quality service is clear throughout the firm, and I look forward to building on the success that Gareth and the team have achieved to date.”

Gareth McIntegart added: “I’m very proud of how far the team in Liverpool has come over the last six years, and having previously worked together for 11 years, I am delighted that Kieran is joining us.  With a combined 47 years of working across the city region, I am looking forward to working closely with Kieran in continuing our growth. He has an excellent reputation in Liverpool as a leading regional dealmaker, and will add significant strength in depth and expertise to the firm’s growing corporate offering.”