Experienced M&A lawyer joins Ward Hadaway’s corporate team
15th May, 2026
Top 100 UK law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed Alex Cooper as a corporate partner as it continues to build on its national corporate offering.
The appointment forms part of ongoing investment in the firm’s highly respected 35-strong corporate team, which consistently ranks as one of the most active dealmakers across the country.
Alex, who is based in the firm’s Leeds office, joins with more than 20 years’ experience in corporate transactional work, advising on UK and international mergers and acquisitions, disposals, investments and restructurings. This follows the recent addition of banking and finance specialist Aarti Parmar as a director in the corporate team.
Alex Cooper said: “I’m pleased to have joined the highly capable team at Ward Hadaway. Not only does it consistently top the lists of most active dealmakers in the North of England, the firm also punches well above its weight at a national level, and it’s exciting to be part of such a successful and ambitious business.
“We have genuine strength and depth across our offices which will allow us to continue to deliver high quality outcomes for clients across a variety of sectors.”
Nik Tunley, Head of Corporate at Ward Hadaway, said: “We have built a market‑leading mid‑market M&A and finance practice, recognised nationally for its expertise, credibility and consistent delivery of high‑quality outcomes. Our focus remains on strengthening that reputation further, supported by the breadth and depth of capability we offer across our offices.
“The arrival of Alex and Aarti in Leeds significantly enhances the scale and experience of our offering, enabling us to support clients through increasingly complex and high‑value transactions. Their addition reinforces our commitment to a partner‑led service, combining clear, pragmatic advice with the consistently high standards that define our M&A and finance practice.”
The firm has seen sustained levels of deal activity and was recently ranked among the UK’s most active legal advisers in 2025 in Experian MarketIQ’s latest UK and Republic of Ireland M&A Review.
Steven Petrie, Managing Partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “We have continued to invest in our corporate team over the past 12 months through senior appointments and have strengthened our already impressive corporate offering nationally.
“Alex brings significant experience in mid-market transactions and adds further depth to the team as we continue to grow, with more developments in the pipeline.”
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