Firm hire: First female managing partner appointed at Osbornes

London law firm Osbornes Law has appointed Jo Wescott as its next managing partner.

Wescott will be the first female managing partner in Osbornes' 50-year history. It also makes her one of the UK’s youngest managing partners at 41. 

Wescott joined the firm in 2013 as an assistant solicitor, before being promoted to associate in 2015, then partner in 2017. In 2021, she joined the firm’s equity partnership.

Stuart Kightley steps down as managing partner after 30 years at Osbornes, having previously headed the firm’s personal injury team.

Wescott commented: 'I love Osbornes. Not only is there a real family feel, but I am proud to be in a firm that actively promotes women. We currently have 26 partners, over half of whom are female. It’s also a great place to develop your career; over 70% of our partners were promoted from within. 

'We’ve grown considerably under Stuart’s leadership, and I’m excited to build upon these amazing foundations and take the business to the next level. One of my early priorities will be embracing all that technology has to offer, driving efficiency and in doing so, demonstrating to our younger solicitors the importance of a good work life balance.'

She added: 'On behalf of everyone at the firm I want to thank Stuart. It is impossible to overstate the positive impact he had on Osbornes. He sets a very high bar and I’m lucky to have had the benefit of Stuart’s counsel as my mentor over the last year, and I will certainly be combining this wisdom with my own ideas as I continue to develop Osbornes.'