A prominent procurement lawyer has joined Muckle LLP, the North East law firm for businesses, to lead its dedicated procurement team.
Alison Walton, partner, has joined the Newcastle-based firm to head its procurement practice, which offers dedicated contentious and non-contentious expertise.
Alison, who left DAC Beachcroft to join Muckle, is a senior commercial contracts and procurement lawyer with over 17 years’ experience advising senior management teams on procurement strategy and risk management.
Sitting within Muckle LLP’s multidisciplinary commercial team, Alison will manage a 6-strong group of lawyers with extensive experience advising both public and private sector clients on procurement issues. She will also support the firm’s expanding commercial contract practice.
Alison Walton said: “I am excited to join Muckle at a time when the public sector is likely to be leading the way in rebuilding the economy against a backdrop of a changing procurement landscape.
“As someone who is passionate about our region, working for a forward thinking law firm which is dedicated to the North East was the natural choice for me.”
She adds: “Procurement is an area that is increasing in complexity, with the unique challenges COVID-19 and Brexit present for supply chains. But great procurement advice should never be about the black letter of the law, it’s about providing practical solutions that get results.
“That is why I am proud to be leading this team of talented and experienced procurement experts and I am extremely excited about developing the practice as a key part of the firm.”
Alex Craig, partner and head of commercial at Muckle, said: “I am thrilled that Alison has joined us. She is a genuine leader in her field who understands every aspect of EU procurement and the issues public and private organisations face.
“At Muckle we like to do things differently and challenge the norm in search of better solutions for our clients. Alison is someone who really embraces that spirit, as a creative and strategic thinker who is also incredibly easy to work with.”
“We have advised on procurement matters for many years, and Alison’s expertise allows us to build on that experience and take our procurement practice to new heights.”
One of Alison’s most significant cases to date involved Faraday Developments, who she helped successfully challenge a contract award by West Berkshire Council. It was the UK’s first ever ‘declaration of ineffectiveness’ and has been described as one of the most important procurement cases in recent years.
In addition to procurement, Muckle LLP’s commercial team has dedicated specialists in contracts, technology, data protection, intellectual property, education, sport and charities and is ranked top in the North by Legal 500 UK.
It advises a vast range of clients, including MEIYUME, Roman Ltd, NCG, the English Football Association, Great North Air Ambulance Service, Fairstone and Hadrian Healthcare Group, among many others.