Kennedys, the international law firm, has announced the appointment of Tracy Watkinson (pictured) as its first-ever Chief Operating Officer (COO)—a strategic move designed to accelerate the firm’s global transformation and operational efficiency.
Watkinson brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in finance and operations from major financial institutions, including NatWest Group, Barclays, UBS, and Credit Suisse. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer of Finance at NatWest, where she led a major global finance transformation initiative and built a 300-strong COO team from the ground up.
A Landmark Appointment Following Record Revenues
This high-profile appointment comes on the heels of Kennedys’ record revenue performance, reporting £428 million for FY 2024/25. With over 2,900 employees across 47 offices in 19 countries, the firm is setting its sights on achieving US$1 billion in global turnover by 2030.
As COO, Watkinson will be at the forefront of delivering on that vision. She will work closely with the executive group, business services leaders, and senior management to shape and execute Kennedys’ transformation agenda.
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Strategic Leadership to Support Global Ambitions
Meg Catalano, Global Managing Partner at Kennedys, emphasized the significance of this leadership move:
“This strategic hire reflects Kennedys’ continued commitment to excellence and sustainable growth. Tracy brings a wealth of experience in leading complex operational environments, and will play a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency, supporting our global expansion, and helping to realise the vision set by our executive group.”
Similarly, Senior Partner John Bruce highlighted the firm’s evolving leadership structure:
“With Kennedys’ continued growth trajectory, it is vital our leadership structure evolves to match our strategic ambitions. The appointment of our first chief operating officer reiterates our intent to build a firm fit for the future, and we look forward to working with Tracy to align our operations with that vision.”
A Strong Track Record in Financial Strategy and Governance
Beyond her executive experience, Watkinson also serves as a non-executive director at Time Finance, an AIM-listed lender specializing in asset and invoice financing for SMEs across the UK. This role further cements her strong background in corporate governance and financial oversight.
Her appointment signals Kennedys’ intent to professionalize its operational leadership while preparing for sustained international growth.
Watkinson: “Excited to Bring My Experience to a New Industry”
Commenting on her new role, Watkinson shared her motivation for joining the firm:
“What drew me to Kennedys was its compelling growth story and clear ambition to continue on that upward trajectory. After 25 years in the banking sector, I’m excited to do what I love in a new industry, and to work alongside leadership to build on the firm’s strong foundations and drive continued success.”
Kennedys Continues to Build a Robust Business Services Team
Watkinson’s appointment follows several recent key business services hires at Kennedys. Notably, the firm recently named Catherine Goodman as Chief Knowledge Officer and Paul Brotzel as Chief Information Officer, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and internal excellence.
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The Bottom Line: A COO for the Future
The entry of Tracy Watkinson into the legal sector marks a pivotal moment for Kennedys as the new COO. Her proven track record in finance, transformation, and leadership will be essential as the firm continues its expansion into global markets. As law firms increasingly embrace corporate-style operations and strategic agility, Kennedys is clearly positioning itself as a future-ready leader in the legal industry.
