Corporate lawyer Matt Collen has joined law firm Robert Muckle LLP as a partner in the firm’s commercial group, as part of the firm’s continued expansion.

Formerly a partner with Ward Hadaway, Mr Collen, 39, joins with Alan Grisedale, 42, who was a senior lawyer at Dickinson Dees and who has also joined Robert Muckle’s commercial team as a partner and head of their public sector practice.

Mr Collen has extensive experience in the corporate and commercial sector, with a particular focus on owner-managed businesses and the banks and other financial institutions that support them. Before coming to Newcastle in 2003 he worked in Cambridge in the biotechnology and telecoms sector, as well as on corporate and banking deals.

He said: “Joining Robert Muckle is a fantastic opportunity. You have only got to look at some of the deals this firm has done over the past few months to see that it is really going places but it still retains its focus on the owner-managed business sector which is the bedrock of the North-East economy and is extremely important.’’

Mr Grisedale is experienced in advising on a range issues surrounding PFI/PPP and on outsourcing and facilities management arrangements. He also has significant experience advising organisations on Information Technology requirements. He will develop the firm’s public sector business, having worked on a number of significant outsourcing deals for several large local authorities.

He said: “I’m delighted to join Robert Muckle. It’s a very friendly and welcoming firm with an extremely professional approach to client management and business development. There’s a real buzz here with everyone having a sense of where the firm is going and that is evident across the whole Robert Muckle team. I have a great opportunity to bring together the considerable expertise the firm already has in this area and really develop the public sector offering at Robert Muckle.’’

Managing partner Stephen McNicol said: “We have made no secret of our ambitious plans for further growth. Last year we achieved a turnover increase of nearly 20% and we aim to continue that progress this year.

“To that end we are recruiting first class people at all levels to support our growing and successful business in advance of our move to new offices at Time Central, Gallowgate early next year.’’