Hull-based law firm Pepperells Solicitors has underlined its commitment to the next generation of legal talent with the appointment of seven staff to its senior leadership team – including a former receptionist who rose through the ranks.
The announcement rounds off twelve months of considerable growth for the firm, which saw its acquisition of Yorkshire-based Elmhirst Parker Solicitors in 2025 and the opening of its eighteenth office premises.
The spate of new senior appointments represents a significant boost to the firm’s management, spanning departments including family law, residential property and private client work.
Among the seven is Maria Igoe, who joined Pepperells a decade ago as a receptionist and has now been appointed to assist with leading the firm’s Divorce and Financial Remedy, Private Children and Domestic Abuse departments.
Maria’s path took her from the front desk in Scunthorpe to the role of Legal Assistant, before she commenced a route in to qualification as a Legal Executive through CILEX, which she anticipates completing this year.
Today, her work involves supporting some of the firm’s most vulnerable clients, including individuals fleeing domestic abuse.
She commented: “When I started at Pepperells as a receptionist ten years ago, I could never have imagined I’d end up undertaking a qualification and becoming a member of our Senior Leadership Team.
“My experience has taught me things I wouldn’t have been able to learn any other way, like how frightened and vulnerable people can feel when they sit down for the initial appointment, and how much it matters to them that they are treated with the patience and respect from the first moment.
“I carry that with me every day in my work with clients, in particular domestic abuse survivors. Having experienced so many different roles in the legal profession, I have learnt to approach all clients with patience and empathy whilst striving to give clear and practical legal advice in what can be one of the most difficult and emotionally challenging times of their lives.”
Craig Day, Head of People and Culture at Pepperells, commented on the appointments: “These appointments reflect exactly the kind of firm we are proud to be.
“We have always recognised talent and commitment wherever those qualities are found, and we know that might look different than a traditional solicitor’s CV.
“Maria’s story in particular is a brilliant example of that. She’s gone from welcoming clients at reception to leading on some of our most sensitive and important work, and she’s done it through sheer hard graft and dedication to the people we serve.
“We at Pepperells are all incredibly proud of her, and of everyone stepping up into senior leadership today.”
The full list of appointments by department is:
- Claire McKenzie, Private Client
- Michael Marshall, Residential Conveyancing
- Kayleigh Richardson, Residential Conveyancing
- Sophie Wilkinson, Residential Conveyancing
- Emily Bailey, Private Children, Domestic Abuse and Public Law Children
- Maria Igoe, Divorce and Financial Remedy, Private Children and Domestic Abuse
- Daniella Coupland, Private Children and Domestic Abuse