HopgoodGanim Lawyers is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) at a milestone time in the firm’s history.
Martin Kingston, HopgoodGanim’s immediate past COO, has been promoted to CRO as the firm chases an agenda of multi-faceted growth with a dedicated focus on strong governance and risk management.
Martin has been integral to the successful management of HopgoodGanim for more than 30 years, helping steer the firm through periods of growth, geographical expansion, mergers and significant facilities projects. He has also expertly guided the firm through periods of uncertainty, including the COVID-19 pandemic and recent Brisbane floods.
As CRO, Martin will take responsibility for implementing operational risk management and mitigation strategies across the firm. This investment in a dedicated C-level risk role at a firm of HopgoodGanim’s size is testament to the importance the firm places on risk and compliance issues.
“Given Martin’s seniority, wealth of firm knowledge and hands-on experience guiding the firm through a number of significant projects, achievements and challenges, there is no person better equipped to establish this important functional area at the firm,” said Managing Partner-elect, Luke Mountford.
As Martin steps into the role of CRO, he will pass the leadership of the firm’s Legal Operations team to new COO, Chris Vedelago.
Chris brings a significant track record in financial and operational leadership, having worked in senior finance roles to deliver transformational practice management projects across Australia and Asia for over a decade.
Prior to commencing with HopgoodGanim, Chris was the CFO of Colin Biggers & Paisley, based in Brisbane, and he previously spent several years in financial leadership positions with Herbert Smith Freehills and Allen & Overy both in Australia and Asia.
“We feel incredibly lucky to have secured Chris to take on this important role to lead the operational aspects of our firm,” said Mr Mountford.
“Chris’s track record is exemplary. He will be an asset to HopgoodGanim as we embark on our next phase of growth and maturity and approach our 50th year in business and 10th year operating in Western Australia."
About HopgoodGanim Lawyers and Effective Governance
HopgoodGanim Lawyers is a leading Australian independent legal and advisory firm operating nationally and internationally with a focus on Asia from our two key locations of Brisbane and Perth. We offer highly skilled and agile legal teams across key sectors and areas of practice. In all of our areas of speciality, our lawyers are recognised by legal publications as leaders in their fields.
Effective Governance helps boards and executive teams across Australia and internationally perform, achieve compliance, and deliver best practice board and organisational governance. Effective Governance is the governance, strategy and risk advisory practice of HopgoodGanim Lawyers.
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