Parklane Plowden Appoints John Cleland as Non-Executive Chair to Support Growth

Parklane Plowden has appointed John Cleland as its new non-executive chair, the Leeds and Newcastle-based barristers' chambers said. Cleland spent more than 26 years at international law firm Pinsent Masons, where he was a partner before serving as global managing partner from 2015 to 2023, when he retired. He succeeds no predecessor in the role, which the chambers said supports its strategic growth plans.

Cleland's Pinsent Masons Record and Non-Executive Roles

Cleland joined Pinsent Masons as a partner and became its global managing partner in 2015, holding the role until his retirement in 2023, according to Bdaily. Since leaving the firm, he has taken on several non-executive positions, including chairing the boards of trustees at Leeds-based charity St Anne's Community Services and the Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation.

At Parklane Plowden, Cleland will work alongside head of chambers Elizabeth Hodgson, the executive board and the senior management team. Cleland said: "Parklane Plowden is an ambitious and progressive set, with real strength across its practice areas and I am excited to be taking on the role." He added that as non-executive chairman he looks forward to working closely with all the teams as the chambers continues to develop for the benefit of its clients, its staff and its members.

Hodgson said: "I am delighted to welcome John as our new non-executive chairman to support the next phase of our growth, and greatly looking forward to working with him." She said he brings experience of leading a major international law firm, an understanding of the legal market, and a wider perspective of governance gained in his other non-executive roles.

Parklane Plowden's Scale and Rankings

Parklane Plowden was established in 2007 and is led by head of chambers Elizabeth Hodgson, with 119 barristers across its Leeds and Newcastle offices, according to akta.pro company records. The chambers holds Band 1 rankings across five practice areas in the 2026 Chambers & Partners directory, while the 2027 Legal 500 recognises it as a tier one barristers' set across five specialisms, with 94 barristers individually recommended.

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