St John's Buildings—Richard Norton

St John’s Buildings has announced its new leadership team with the appointment of Richard Norton as head of chambers, and Frances Heaton QC as deputy head.

Taking over the role from Sally Harrison QC after a five-year term, Richard (pictured) is a personal injury and clinical negligence specialist with more than 26 years of experience, who has sat on the board of directors for over ten years. Chambers’ new deputy head Frances Heaton QC is a family law barrister with particular expertise in children law, who regularly acts in complex cases involving serious injuries and neglect. The pair will now take on the leadership of St John’s Buildings, which houses 240 barristers and more than 70 employees across its offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Chester.

Chambers’ chief executive Chris Ronan said of the appointment: ‘Richard is an excellent appointment as head of chambers. He has been right at the heart of the success we have seen during Sally’s reign, and will continue to ensure Chambers strives for even greater prosperity in the future.

“At a time when the legal industry has come under increasing pressure on price, due to competition and austerity cuts, we have managed to buck the trend in increasing our profitability and our barrister income. The board and I are confident that, with Richard and Frances’ involvement, this growth will continue.’

Richard added: ‘I am very proud to have been elected head of chambers by my peers. Sally and the board have done a superb job in steering chambers with exceptional commitment over the past five years, and I hope to build on the opportunities this has created. I am fortunate to have the support of Frances and the rest of the board, as well as the exceptional staff at St John’s Buildings, and I am confident that we will continue the great work that has already taken place.’