Hugh Welch - Senior partner

Expert profile

Hugh has been partner at Muckle LLP since 1986 and was appointed senior partner in 2007.  Predominantly working within the commercial team, Hugh is a member of the corporate finance and business advisory services team and handles a wide range of commercial work for private companies throughout the North East.

It is very much part of the ethos of the firm that we should have the expertise to look after the personal interests of the directors and shareholders of our corporate clients and Hugh therefore has overall responsibility for the work of our private client team.

In addition, Hugh advises a variety of charitable and not-for-profit organisations and has an active involvement in supporting the wider North East community as chairman of The Community Foundation and as a director or trustee of various other charitable organisations.

Hugh's specialisms:

• Advising generally on commercial and business issues
• Acquisitions
• Disposals and buy-outs
• Charitable and philanthropic initiatives

In the hot seat...

How do you see the firm developing over the next few years?
It is going to be a tough few years recovering from the recession of 2008/2009.  That recovery can only be led by the business sector.  It is up to us to provide support to those businesses by giving excellent advice and assistance.  I am absolutely committed to that objective.

How will the commercial team develop?
We currently have a great group of younger, enthusiastic and very capable lawyers who are keen to prove themselves.  My aim as a partner is to keep everyone busy and grow the team sufficiently to develop stimulating career paths for all our people.

Why did you choose to work at Muckle LLP?
I fancied the challenge of helping to create a leading commercial law firm here in the North East.

What's the best piece of business advice you've had?.....and what's the worst?
All advice is valuable it's up to you how much weight you attach to it.

What has been the most challenging legal deal you've been involved in?
It is hard to pick out one specific deal.  Each transaction is different and memorable in its own way.  The stimulation and fun for me is working with some fantastic clients and helping them achieve their business objectives.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Being part of an enthusiastic and vibrant team.  I really enjoy the company of my colleagues.  I also enjoy my community and charitable work; I personally find it satisfying and I think it is fundamentally important as a firm that we support the broader North East community.

What are your personal ambitions?
I believe that it is incumbent on those that are fortunate in what they have, to do what they can to help others.  I very firmly believe that at the end of your life you are called to account for how you have used the skills you have been given.  Whilst I wouldn't call it a personal ambition, I do constantly feel that I need to make sure that I use whatever skills I've got generally for the benefit of other people. However, I am also ambitious for the firm and want to see it do well.

What's your most irritating habit?
Depends who you ask really.  If you ask my children it's correcting their grammar!

What would be your dream day?
Actually, I'm quite happy coming into work.

What's your biggest extravagance?
My daughter Emma who has a quite remarkable ability to extract from me anything that she wants!

Direct line: 0191 211 7903
Email Hugh