Capsticks is delighted to announce that Victoria Watson will become the firm’s next Managing Partner, from 1 May 2026.  

Victoria joined Capsticks in 2007 as an employment lawyer and has led the firm’s national Employment & Pensions team since 2018, growing the practice to over 90 employment and pensions specialists who deliver advice and support on workforce issues to clients across all the firm’s sectors.   

Victoria will succeed Martin Hamilton, who has been the firm’s Managing Partner since May 2017, working with Senior Partner, Rachael Heenan, and Chief Operating Officer, Neil Middleton, to continue to deliver the firm’s strategy to be go-to advisers for organisations that make a difference, and to sustain and develop the firm’s people-first culture and values.   

Over what will be nine years as Capsticks’ Managing Partner, Martin has played a pivotal role in the success of the firm. Capsticks has more than doubled its turnover from £35 million in 2017 to £85 million this year in existing sectors, healthcare, housing, regulatory, emergency services, primary care, and insurance, as well as launching in recent years into the local government market.  

During this time, Capsticks’ offices have increased to six nationally, including the recent addition of Exeter. In the last three years, all the firm’s offices have either been designed from scratch in new locations or have been fully refurbished, to be great places to work, offering first-rate hybrid facilities, good transport links, and excellent coffee. 

Martin has also led the firm’s people strategy, Motivated Teams. Since 2022, Capsticks has been rated by Best Companies as an outstanding place to work. As EDI Executive Sponsor, Martin has led our inclusion strategy, which has achieved gender parity in the firm’s partnership, and since 2021, a 60% increase in global majority colleagues who now represent 27% of the firm.  

Martin said,‘Being Capsticks’ Managing Partner has been and remains the best job I’ve ever done. I am beyond proud of what the firm has achieved for its clients and its people these last nine years. I feel very privileged to be stepping down at a time of my choosing next May, and with a clear, ambitious strategy in place for Capsticks to retain and develop its work for organisations that make a difference. I’m thrilled that Victoria is in place to be Capsticks’ next Managing Partner in the spring, joining our Senior Management Team with Rachael as Senior Partner and Neil as Chief Operating Officer. She is a brilliant leader and Capsticks’ new-look SMT will take the firm from strength to strength.’   

Commenting on her appointment as Managing Partner Elect, Victoria said: ‘I want to thank Martin for everything he has achieved as our Managing Partner. As a firm, we have come a very long way under his leadership, and I will ensure that we continue our work together to hold on to the culture that makes Capsticks so special. Our core strategy of Smart Growth, Go-to Advisors and Motivated Teams will remain at the heart of everything we do as we work towards an even stronger future. My priority will be to ensure we are the workplace of choice for bright, ambitious lawyers and business experts, and maintain our position as the firm of choice for organisations who work to make a difference.’   

Senior Partner, Rachael Heenan, commented: ‘Working alongside Martin over the years has been an absolute joy. His commitment and dedication to the firm and our colleagues has been clear to see, and I want to thank him, on behalf of everyone at our firm, for his contributions as our Managing Partner for almost a decade. I also want to congratulate Victoria on her appointment as our new Managing Partner. As a team, we are really excited to progress Capsticks to the next stage of its strategy.’  

Capsticks aims to be the firm of choice for organisations who work to make a difference. Our purpose is to be the legal advisers that clients want by their side, providing innovative and practical solutions tailored to our sectors’ unique challenges. Our lawyers work together as one team with the same values: putting people first, doing the right thing and always forward thinking.