Jeremy Orrell has closed more than 1,000 corporate transactions since qualifying as a solicitor in 1983. On 30 April, he walks away from the Cheshire law firm he’s led for eight years.
SAS Daniels confirmed on Tuesday that Orrell will step down as managing partner, with Justine Clowes—currently deputy CEO and joint head of the Macclesfield office—taking over. Nigel Read, who heads the firm’s property practice, becomes senior partner. Both Orrell and Kaye Whitby, head of the Chester office, leave on the same day.
Clowes is a business owner at the firm and has worked alongside Orrell for years.
The departures mark the end of significant tenures. Orrell joined SAS Daniels in 2009 after qualifying 26 years earlier, taking the helm as CEO in 2017. Under his watch, the firm expanded across four offices in Stockport, Chester, Macclesfield, and Congleton, investing heavily in infrastructure and personnel. His corporate practice handled deals exceeding £100m, earning him repeated recognition in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 rankings—the industry’s benchmark directories.
Whitby, described by the firm as a prominent regional figure held in high regard by clients, departs as a business owner and partner. Her exit alongside Orrell’s suggests carefully choreographed succession planning rather than abrupt change.
The timing matters. Losing two senior figures on the same date could destabilise a 120-person operation. SAS Daniels moved to shore up its leadership by promoting three long-standing solicitors to equity partner—a status that confers ownership stakes and signals the firm’s confidence in its bench strength.
Helen Kelly, head of private client and joint head of the Stockport office, joins the equity tier. So does Steven Percy, who leads commercial property. Paul Tyrer, joint head of the Congleton office, not only gains equity partnership but also inherits Orrell’s former role as head of corporate.
That’s a substantial brief. Orrell’s 1,000-plus transactions set a high bar.
For Clowes, the appointment represents both opportunity and pressure. She inherits a firm with 22 partners spread across four Cheshire towns, competing in a crowded North West legal market where mid-sized regional practices jostle for corporate and private client work. Growth, she made clear, remains the priority.
“I am delighted to step into the role of managing partner at such an exciting time for our firm,” Clowes said. “Having worked closely with Jeremy and our talented team for many years, I am committed to building upon our strong foundations of legal excellence and client-focused service. I look forward to leading SAS Daniels into its next chapter of growth and innovation across the North West, as we look to recruit into all our legal departments and grow each of our offices.”
Recuitment across all departments. Expansion at every office. The ambition is clear—and necessary in a sector where scale increasingly determines survival.
Orrell struck a reflective tone when discussing his departure. “It has been a privilege to lead SAS Daniels and witness our collective growth over the years,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of the legacy we’ve built and the exceptional talent within our firm. I wish the new board and wider team every future success.”
He leaves behind a practice that advises businesses on corporate transactions, commercial matters, disputes, property, and employment issues, whilst serving individual clients with conveyancing, wills, wealth planning, and family law.
Clowes acknowledged both departing figures. “On behalf of the entire team, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Jeremy and Kaye for their incredible commitment and many years of service,” she said. “Jeremy’s leadership has been instrumental in our growth. We wish both Kaye and Jeremy the very best for the future.”
What comes next for Orrell and Whitby remains unconfirmed. Both could retire, consult, or surface elsewhere in the North West legal scene. For now, the firm they helped build turns its attention to April 30th—and what comes after.
SAS Daniels continues to recruit solicitors with corporate, private client, and commercial property expertise, as well as residential conveyancers. The message from Clowes suggests the firm won’t pause for a changing of the guard.
