Law firm SGH Martineau has appointed a new managing partner to its senior management team.

Named by ‘The Lawyer’ in 2010 as one of the ‘Hot 100’ lawyers in the country, Emma Shipp will take over from Bill Barker, who led Birmingham-based Martineau for nearly 10 years and was re-appointed managing partner to head the integration process following the firm’s merger with Sprecher Grier Halberstam (SGH) in late 2011. He will remain at the firm for a transition period.

Ms Shipp said: “My appointment comes at the conclusion of a detailed strategic review of the firm and my remit will be to harness the many talents in the firm to drive forward business.”

Senior partner Andrew Whitehead welcomed her appointment. He said: “Emma is widely recognised in the industry and amongst clients as an excellent manager and lawyer. I’m looking forward to working very closely with her to implement our new strategy and take SGH Martineau to the next level.”

Qualifying in 1990, Ms Shipp became a partner in the firm’s corporate department in 1993. She has a wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, disposals and corporate finance as well as in-depth knowledge of a range of specialities. In recent times her responsibilities have included corporate mandates in the education sector.

Ms Shipp added: “With a desk in each of our main offices, I will be working personally with as many of our clients and staff as possible in the coming months as I believe in taking a very hands-on, relationship-building approach to the role.”