Leading Dorset law firm Coles Miller is commemorating the end of an era and the launch of an exciting new one with the retirement of its Senior Partner and Director of Finance.
Senior Partner David Parfitt has retired after 36 years at Coles Miller – six of them at the helm of the firm which now employs 120 staff in Bournemouth, Poole, Broadstone, Christchurch and Wimborne.
David joined Coles Miller in 1979, was made a Partner in 1982, has been head of the Probate department and was elected Senior Partner in April 2009.
He has been succeeded as Senior Partner by Andrew Howard who joined Coles Miller in 2007 and has an equally long and impressive track record in the law.
Andrew is head of Coles Miller’s Residential Leasehold Property Department – he represented parties in three notable cases which are cited in the leading text book on the subject.
Director of Finance and Head of IT Martin Ford-Horne has retired after 12 years at Coles Miller. He was previously FD at lavalamp manufacturer Mathmos and spent four years at Ernst & Young.
Martin has been succeeded by John Rawlings who was formerly financial controller and company secretary at Poole-based Thompson Valves Ltd and head of finance and commercial at Wessex Homes Group at Okeford Fitzpaine near Blandford.
Both David and Martin will remain with Coles Miller as consultants: David for three years, Martin for a few months.
David Parfitt said: “Coles Miller has grown significantly over the years. I am very proud that it continues to be a successful multi-disciplinary practice in a very competitive market.
“I am particularly proud of the way we have encouraged young trainee solicitors to come through and also how we have encouraged the marketing of the firm over the years.”
Andrew Howard said: “It is a great honour to have been elected Senior Partner by my peers.
“David has excellent management skills and great legal expertise. Along with all the other Partners, we are both very proud of how quickly Coles Miller has grown.”
Martin Ford-Horne has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Coles Miller: “It’s great to have seen the firm grow, both organically and through acquisition.”
John Rawlings had already done business with Coles Miller: “They were very professional so when the opportunity came up I was keen to join them.”
