Ampa Group – best known for its national law firm Shakespeare Martineau – has appointed Mark Beesley as its new chief executive officer, with the long-serving commercial litigator taking the helm 40 years after first joining the business as an articled clerk.
Having spent his entire career with the firm, Mark brings an in-depth understanding of the group, its brands and its people to the role.
Mark joined the business in 1986 when it was known as Shakespeare Duggan Lea. After completing his articles in Birmingham, he qualified as a commercial litigator, specialising in complex disputes and professional negligence.
His most recent role was managing director of the group’s portfolio brands, which includes Marrons, Lime Solicitors, Corclaim, Coadax and CSS Assure. Over four decades, he has seen the business grow into a group of seven brands, also including South East law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter, employing more than 1,400 people.
Mark said: “It means a huge amount to me to be leading a business I’m passionate about and have dedicated 40 years of my life to. I’ve grown up alongside it, built my career here and always believed in what we can achieve together, if we work together.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created, and I feel a real responsibility to the people who have made our firm what it is to lead them on the next stage of our journey. We have outstanding people, market-leading brands and a group with huge, untapped potential. I want us all to recognise that, believe in ourselves and keep building on our foundations.”
The appointment marks a new chapter for Ampa Group, which achieved a third consecutive year of double-digit growth for 2025/26 financial year, reporting a 10% increase in revenue to £143.1m. All Ampa Group brands grew during the year, with portfolio brand Marrons reporting 35% growth to £13.1m.
He said: “I’m not going to rip up the strategy or change everything overnight. I’ve been on the executive team for many years and I believe in the direction we’ve been taking. I see this as the baton being passed to me and an opportunity to build on what we’ve already achieved.
“This is evolution, not revolution. There’s no need for wholesale change but there is a need to continue to focus on improvement in increasingly competitive marketplaces.
“We need to keep looking at how we work, not least the opportunities of AI, make sure our processes are as effective as they can be, and focus on the marginal gains and efficiencies that make a real difference over time.
“Our clients are at the heart of our business, and it’s our brands they know and trust. That’s why I want to make sure we continue to invest in our brands, build their profiles and give each one the opportunity to flourish because they are integral to our future success.”
Having played an active role in team building and mentoring talent across the group, Mark is also dedicated to helping people unlock their potential.
Mark added: “I’ve always felt invested in and supported throughout my career and I want others to have that same experience – and more.
“For me, this is about the ‘we’. We succeed together and we’re in this for the long term. I want everyone to feel part of what we’re building and confident about what we can achieve together.”