London—Global law firm Dentons has announced the re-appointment of Paul Jarvis as Chief Executive Officer for the UK, Ireland and Middle East (UKIME). His second three-year term commences on 1 May 2024.

Paul joined Dentons as a trainee in 1999, was appointed Middle East Managing Partner in 2016 and has served as UKIME CEO since 2021. During his first term Paul launched a new five-year strategy for the region while overseeing the growth of the UKIME business and making significant investments in the future of the firm.

New five-year strategy

• Centred on the competitive advantage of being the world's largest global law firm, the strategy is driven by three pillars: "Golden Thread" - creating a strand of connectivity throughout practice areas, sector groups and geographies; "Global Presence" - realising the potential of Dentons' unique global reach to support large corporate clients on their most complex global issues; and "Client Uplift" - investing in client relationships by improving the firm's approach to efficiency, innovation, pricing, technology and delivery.
• Connecting with clients sits at the heart of the strategy. Dentons became the first global law firm to embed the 'O Shaped Principles' of developing sustainable long-term relationships that create value for clients' businesses.
• Created a Client Advisory Panel to share the strategy with clients and gain their insight on the opportunity it presents to their businesses. This is aligned with Dentons' ambition to be the leading relationship firm.

Business growth across the UKIME 

• Three-year revenue growth in the UKIME region on course to reach 20% by the end of FY 23/24.
• 25 new partners hired, with cross-border expertise, growth in Ireland and the Middle East and enhanced bench strength across the Corporate, Finance and Disputes practices a specific focus of the firm's lateral hiring programme.
• Promoted 30 new partners, including the region's largest ever promotions round of 13 in 2023, reflecting the depth and diversity of the firm's talent pool. 

Investing in the future

• Significant investments into the firm's office estate, including moving into modern flagship premises in Edinburgh, Dublin, Jeddah and Riyadh and finalising plans to move into a new London office at One Liverpool Street in 2026.
• The first law firm to successfully incorporate generative AI into day-to-day matter workflows with the launch of fleetAI, Dentons proprietary version of ChatGPT. Over 850 lawyers and business services professionals have logged into the platform a combined 80,000 times, using it for legal analysis, clause generation and document reporting. 15 clients are currently in discussions to licence fleetAI directly.
• Committed to increasing the representation of women, increasing ethnic diversity, increasing the number of disabled people, and providing more opportunities for people from a low socio-economic background.
• Launched 'Work Well, Live Well', a wellbeing commitment promoting effective and healthy working practices that reflects the Mindful Business Charter principles.
• Committed to seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals where the firm believes it can make the most positive impact through its environmental sustainability, social responsibility and governance efforts.

Paul Jarvis comments:

"It has been a privilege to lead the talented lawyers and professionals we have throughout the UK, Ireland and Middle East for the past three years. I'm both proud and grateful for the opportunity to serve a second term.

"Our aim for the next three years is to deliver the strategy. Dentons' USP of serving clients' legal needs everywhere in the world they need to do business is a compelling message for the multinational companies the strategy is designed to attract.

'Strategy is not only about what we do – it's also about how we do it. Inclusion and diversity is part of the bigger picture on being a responsible business. These topics matter to our people, matter to our clients and matter to me.'

About Dentons

Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit dentons.com