Ahead of its 20th anniversary in June, high-profile divorce boutique Vardags is entering a new era – with the head of its Manchester office being promoted to managing partner and the firm’s flexible working policy being extended to London staff.
Vardags, founded by Ayesha Vardag, announced this week that Emma Gill will manage the entire legal team in her new role as managing partner.
Gill joined the firm in 2016 and set up the firm’s Manchester office. Six years later, when Vardags opened an office in Cambridge, Gill was promoted to regional managing partner.
Gill said: ‘This time nine years ago I was at Aintree with a pal. I had my offer from Vardags and was due to meet Ayesha Vardag the following day. I was feeling pretty anxious about making a jump into the unknown, from my safe equity partnership where I had been for over 12 years. My friend gave me some sage advice, which was to always be moving forward in your career… So, I took the leap into the unknown and nine years later I stand here as Vardags’ managing partner.’
Vardag – nicknamed the ‘diva of divorce’ by the media after acting in several high-profile cases – will continue her role as president, overseeing the firm and being involved in its highest-value cases.
Vardag said: ‘Emma is a force of nature with a Midas touch. She’s an excellent lawyer, and she brings out excellence in those she leads. Emma runs a very tight ship, and she does it with such brio that everyone adores her. We’re really delighted to have her as our managing partner, to bring us into our third decade with all flags flying.’
As Gill settles into her new role, Vardags is extending its flexible working policy to the London office. Since the pandemic, staff at the Manchester and Cambridge offices have worked three days in the office and two days remotely, while staff in London came into the office five days a week. The flexible working policy will be extended to London on a staggered basis, with the aim of being fully adopted by the end of May.
