Head of Disputes: independent advisory firm in London

Reference: 4759407Job ID: 5365734Posted: 2026-11-10Closing date: 2027-02-08Location: LondonSalary: Healthy base draw + bonus + shares (per annum)Job type: PermanentWorking pattern: Full timeIndustry: Accountancy Firms / Public Practice AccountingCompany: HaysConsultant: Louise BridgeHays office: London-City — 5th Floor, 107 Cheapside,Phone: 0203 465 0137Email: louise.bridge@hays.comYour new companyMy client is a nationwide Advisory firm with strong international affiliations. Specialising in Corporate Finance, Financial Advisory, Valuations, Forensics, Restructucturing/Debt Advisory and more, the firm is unencumbered by an audit or tax compliance base, and expansion has been predominantly organic with the occasional acquisition. The majority of matters it is referred come from law firms, making it consistently fertile territory for Expert work. The whole firm is superbly positioned to pivot with the ever-fluid economic landscape, being a longstanding trusted advisor to its clients in navigating complexity, seizing opportunities and achieving sustainable growth.The Forensic function is a rare entity in the market in that it encompasses a competitively wide range of matters, with at this stage no especial bias or "lean." Broadly speaking these include investigations, risk & compliance, commercial and shareholder/valuation disputes. It has been supported by an FTech function since inception. The team has on-the-ground presence and leadership from north to south in the UK, so is not trying to service everything just from a London hub. There is an established, "proper pyramid" delivery model which includes graduate trainees and many experienced hires who have chosen to join from larger firms. Directors/Partners are therefore genuinely empowered to originate, grow, lead and mentor. The team also benefits from a very low attrition rate. With 2026 predicted to be a bumper year for Litigation this is a superb opportunity to capitalise, from a platform with few conflicts, a proper cross-functional go-to-market approach and an agile pricing structure. It is also worth mentioning that this is not a PE backed entity, yet still has healthy investment.Your new roleWhile proven in many aspects of Expert work, the leadership now recognise this is the right time to bring in a more dedicated Head of Disputes to take further market share. The firm typically operates in the mid-market/mid-ticket but in Forensics they have also demonstrated the ability to regularly attract 6-figure billing cases. You'll be at full liberty to use your commercial discretion on what you want to build/pursue, and be backed with the spend to do it. The culture is very much "why not" as opposed to "why" and they pride themselves on response-times; conflict checks are very quick here, for example. I can of course provide a fuller brief on enquiry; any discussion is naturally entirely confidential.What you'll need to succeedUK-based Expert in commercial disputes and/or arbitrationYou'll have testified/been cross-examined at least a couple of timesBillings of 1 million (ideally from a broad range of case sizes and industries)Collaborator as opposed to "empire builder" Again more detail can be shared in discussion, but the firm don't wish to be overly-prescriptive at the outset. What you'll get in return Qualitative: See points above Quantitative: Healthy base drawBonus as a % of billingsAdditional, behaviour-led discretionary bonuses Share optionsWhat you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. #4759407 - Louise Bridge