Adams & Adams welcomes Stuart Boyd as new Chief Operating Officer

Pretoria – Adams & Adams, a leading African law firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stuart Boyd as chief operating officer (COO), effective 1 August 2024.

With a career spanning over 28 years in legal and financial services, Stuart brings extensive experience in strategic management and organisational leadership. He previously served as COO at Webber Wentzel for almost 13 years after a three-year tenure at Adams & Adams in the same capacity. Before working in the legal industry, he held significant management roles in the financial services sector, including at Nedbank and Swisscard. Stuart is a qualified CA and completed the Global Executive Development Programme at GIBS in 2001 and the Leading Professional Services Firms course at Harvard Business School in 2012.

“We are excited to welcome Stuart back to Adams & Adams,” says Kelly Thompson, Chairperson at Adams & Adams. “With his expertise and wealth of experience, Stuart is well-equipped to help drive our firm’s growth and enhance our refreshed strategic vision of being the leading African law firm in our fields of service. We look forward to his contributions in achieving our ambitions and fostering enterprise within our organisation, for clients and on the continent.”

As COO, Stuart will be responsible for overseeing the firm’s support operational functions, contributing to ensuring Adams & Adams remains at the forefront of innovation and client service. Stuart will also play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the firm’s strategic initiatives and continued growth of the firm, aligning with its refreshed brand identity and ethos. He will be succeeding Dave Forbes, who is retiring after a successful 15 years at the company.

“I am very excited to rejoin Adams & Adams at this important chapter in the brand’s journey. Having prior experience at the firm, I know I will be working with a talented, dynamic team that offers unparalleled services within an evolving legal landscape. I look forward to building on the firm’s past achievements while supporting its new vision, mission and values that demonstrate professionalism, innovation and commitment to successful outcomes for clients and the company,” says Boyd.

Adams & Adams specialises in providing intellectual property, commercial, real estate and dispute resolution advice and support tailored to clients’ needs. The firm is consistently locally and internationally recognised for its work in South Africa and across the African continent. With offices in four major cities in South Africa and another 23 associate offices across Africa, the team of more than 200 professionals represents many of the world’s largest corporations and organisations, as well as small to medium-sized companies. This extensive network throughout Africa enables the firm to connect clients from around the world with any legal or business needs they have or may be seeking in Africa.

For more information, contact Natalie Stephan, Chief Marketing Officer on natalie.stephan@adams.africa