Global law firm Kennedys has appointed Tracy Watkinson, formerly chief operating officer of finance at NatWest Group, as its first-ever chief operating officer (COO). This strategic hire is part of Kennedys’ efforts to scale its operations and leadership capabilities in line with its international growth strategy.
Watkinson brings over two decades of senior experience from leading financial institutions, including Barclays, UBS, and Credit Suisse. At NatWest, she led a major global finance transformation and built a new COO function of 300 employees. Her appointment comes as Kennedys continues its upward growth trajectory, having reported record revenue of £428 million for FY 2024/25 and targeting US$1 billion in global turnover by 2030.
Role and Responsibilities
As COO, Watkinson will be responsible for leading the firm’s transformation agenda. She will work closely with Kennedys’ executive group, business services chiefs, and other senior leaders to deliver against the firm’s strategic objectives. This includes driving operational efficiency and supporting the firm’s global expansion.
Global managing partner Meg Catalano commented, “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.”
Senior partner John Bruce added, “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.”
Watkinson also holds a non-executive director role at Time Finance, an AIM-listed lender providing invoice and asset financing to SMEs across the UK. Reflecting on her decision to join Kennedys, she said, “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.”
The appointment follows a series of significant hires at Kennedys, including Catherine Goodman as the firm’s first chief knowledge officer and Paul Brotzel as chief information officer. With over 2,900 employees across 47 offices in 19 countries, Kennedys provides litigation and dispute resolution services with a strong presence in sectors such as insurance, liability defence, healthcare, and corporate and commercial.
