Dentons has appointed Paul Jarvis as Chief Executive Officer for the UK, Ireland and Middle East (UKIME) region. Paul will assume the role on 1 May 2021, following the conclusion of Jeremy Cohen’s second term. As CEO Paul will become a member of Dentons’ Global Management Committee and Global Board.

Paul Jarvis

A banking and finance partner based in the firm’s Abu Dhabi office, where he will remain as he takes on his new role of CEO, Paul joined the firm as a trainee in 1999 and has served as Middle East Managing Partner since 2016. He is recognised as one of the world’s leading transport finance practitioners and has been ranked by Chambers as a ‘Band 1’ lawyer for the past five years.

‘Having spent my entire career at Dentons it will be a privilege to lead the talented group of lawyers and professionals we have throughout the UK, Ireland and Middle East,’ said Paul Jarvis. ‘Jeremy has transformed this region during his period as CEO, leading Dentons into the Scottish and Irish markets and delivering the benefits of the firm’s global platform to our clients. ‘I look forward to building on these accomplishments by continuing the modernisation of our firm so that we become smarter in the way we provide our services, are entirely focussed on delivering for our clients, and are able to enhance the career opportunities available to all of our people.’

‘We thank Jeremy for his unwavering commitment over the last six years as CEO of our UK, Ireland and Middle East Region. Under his leadership, the region has expanded into important markets and has taken on some of its most high-calibre cross-border work to date,” said Elliott Portnoy – Global CEO, Dentons. ‘We are delighted at the support our UKIME partners have shown for Paul who has successfully served as Managing Partner in the Middle East for the past four years. We welcome him to his new role and look forward to the contributions he will make to our Global Management Committee and to our Global Board.’

‘Jeremy has been an outstanding leader of the UKIME region and we would like to express our sincere appreciation for everything he has achieved for our firm,’ said Joe Andrew – Global Chairman, Dentons. ‘Since his appointment in 2015 he has led the combination and successful integration with one of Scotland’s leading law firms and launched our office in Dublin – a critical market for Dentons’ clients – in every part of the world. We look forward to working closely with Paul who we are confident will bring new perspectives to the role, to the region and to our Firm.”

‘It has been a true privilege to serve as UKIME CEO’, said Jeremy Cohen. ‘I have been fortunate enough to lead the region through a period of growth and success, and I would like to thank each and every one of our people for everything they have done to help make that happen. I am delighted to be handing over to Paul, who I am sure will add a huge amount to the role, and I look forward to supporting him as he takes our region to the next level.’

‘Paul has a successful track record of management leadership, and is driven by the interests of our firm, our people and our clients ‘ said Chair of the UKIME Board Madeleine Smallwood. ‘We are delighted to welcome him as our incoming CEO.’