WARD Hadaway has further strengthened its line-up with the recruitment of a leading commercial lawyer from a Newcastle rival.

Mark Whitehead is the latest in a number of senior lawyers joining Ward Hadaway and he joins the firm as a partner from Watson Burton where he was head of the commercial team, head of the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and materials group and a member of the energy and utilities team.

Whitehead has a long track record of advising on major commercial, contract and project work.

The 39-year-old has more than 14 years’ specialist experience, working for a wide range of clients from major multi-national organisations in the power generation and chemical sectors to smaller project development businesses and fledgling hi-tech companies.

His experience includes advising organisations such as GDF Suez Energy, CE Electric, SABIC, Croda, Akzo Nobel, and Ineos.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining Ward Hadaway.

“I was looking for a firm that would provide a friendly and supportive environment in which to work while providing the breadth of expertise and experience that would enable me to deliver excellent service to the clients I work with.

“I feel that the skills and expertise which I can bring to Ward Hadaway will complement the existing team and add to it and I am looking forward to helping the firm to further success.”

Colin Hewitt, partner and head of commercial law at the firm, said: “It is fantastic news that Mark has chosen to join the team at Ward Hadaway.

“His reputation in the energy, utilities, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors speaks for itself and he will bring an added dimension to the services we already offer to our clients.

“The fact that we have been able to recruit someone of his experience and standing in the market speaks volumes about the way in which Ward Hadaway is progressing as a firm and about our ambitions for the future.”