Laytons ETL’s John Gavan hands compliance baton to disputes partner Ben Thorogood

The City of London-based international law firm Laytons ETL has appointed partner Ben Thorogood as its new Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP). Mr Thorogood takes over from partner John Gavan, who held the role from its inception 11 years ago.

As COLP, Mr Thorogood will be responsible for ensuring Laytons ETL’s compliance with the terms of its authorisation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and for ensuring that the firm, its managers, employees and interest holders comply with any SRA regulations which apply to them.

Ben Thorogood joined Silverman Sherliker, which merged with Laytons in 2017, as a paralegal in 2012. He trained with the firm, qualifying in 2015, and was appointed a partner at Laytons ETL in 2022.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Thorogood said, “I am grateful for the immense contribution made by John Gavan during his tenure as COLP.

“I am committed to providing the firm, and those engaged within it, with the support required to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards, and to maintain an effective and dynamic legal practice.”

The firm’s previous Compliance Office for Legal Practice, John Gavan, is stepping back to focus on his practice which spans the firm’s corporate, employment and tax groups. A former main board director of a FTSE 350 company, and previous chairman and managing partner of Laytons, Mr Gavan has advised both employers and employees on share incentive schemes for over 30 years, and specialises in matters where corporate law, corporate governance, employment law, and tax interact.

His tenure as COLP spanned the pandemic, and the associated challenges of adapting compliance procedures to new remote working practices, and, in 2021, the firm’s integration into the international professional services group, ETL Global.

Mr Gavan said, “It has been an honour to serve as Laytons’ first Compliance Officer for Legal Compliance, and to play my part in maintaining, through one of the most turbulent periods in post-war history, the exemplary professional standards for which our firm is known.

“I can’t think of anyone better than Ben to take over the role and I am sure he will be more than capable of tackling whatever challenges may come his way as the world changes, working practices continue to evolve, and the regulation of our profession adapts accordingly.”

Michael Kashis, Managing Partner CEO at Laytons ETL, said, “’After 11 years of dedicated service, since the role was introduced, John Gavan will be stepping down from the role of Compliance Officer for Legal Practice. We are deeply grateful for John’s unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to ensuring our compliance and upholding the highest legal standards.

“Ben Thorogood brings a wealth of experience and a strong understanding of compliance requirements to this position. We are confident that Ben as COLP will continue to uphold our firm’s standards of excellence and integrity in this new capacity.”