Ward Hadaway announced that it has appointed strategic risk specialist Mike Gore, expanding the firm’s advisory capabilities across health, safety, regulatory compliance, business risk, and governance.
The appointment strengthens Ward Hadaway’s national offering by combining legal expertise with operational and strategic advisory support for growing businesses, particularly those operating in sectors such as leisure and hospitality.
Gore brings extensive in-house experience managing operational risk across multi-site businesses. He has worked at board level to identify emerging issues, implement governance frameworks, and respond to critical incidents.
His background includes regulatory compliance, safety management, business continuity, and practical risk mitigation across large organizations. Ward Hadaway said his appointment will help clients address risk more proactively, before issues escalate into disputes, investigations, or regulatory action.
The role is designed to support clients across the full lifecycle of risk, from prevention and planning through response and resolution. The firm said the appointment will also strengthen its ability to advise directors on statutory duties as regulatory scrutiny increases and governance expectations continue to evolve.
Ward Hadaway employs nearly 600 people and operates offices across the North of England and the Midlands. The firm advises clients across a range of sectors, including businesses with multi-site operations and complex regulatory requirements.
KEY QUOTES:
“Mike brings a perspective that complements our legal expertise in a very strategic way. He has operated at the sharp end of business risk, advising boards and solving the issues that can disrupt operations or expose directors to personal liability.”
“What makes this particularly valuable is the ability to identify risks early, often before they have been formally recognised within a business, and to put in place the structures and processes needed to manage them effectively.”
Chris Green, Regulatory Partner at Ward Hadaway
“Joining forces with Ward Hadaway provides an opportunity to bring together legal expertise with hands-on operational experience. In many businesses, risk is addressed reactively, often once something has already gone wrong.”
“The focus here is on working alongside leadership teams to identify where pressure points are likely to emerge and to put in place a clear plan for managing them.”
“That can range from regulatory compliance and safety frameworks through to wider governance challenges, particularly for businesses that are scaling quickly and need to adapt their structures accordingly.”
Mike Gore, Strategic Risk Specialist at Ward Hadaway
“Bringing Mike into the fold is about broadening how we support clients as their businesses grow and become more complex. Legal advice remains central, but there is increasing demand for joined-up support that addresses operational and strategic risk in a more holistic way.”
“Mike’s experience allows us to engage with clients earlier, helping them to anticipate issues and build more resilient organisations while ensuring that the legal framework supporting those decisions is robust.”
Steven Petrie, Managing Partner of Ward Hadaway
