Kennedys has strengthened its global aviation bench in London with the hire of partner Rob Ireland from Clyde & Co.
Ireland has rejoined Kennedys after a decade as a partner in Clydes' aviation practice. During that time he was also a member of the firm’s global aviation executive, with responsibility for strategy and development across its worldwide aviation team, working with Robert Lawson KC who recently returned to Quadrant Chambers.
Ireland brings more than 25 years’ experience handling complex aviation liability and contentious matters. His client base includes insurers, airlines and major helicopter operators, and he advises on high-profile, large-scale disputes arising from aviation losses.
He has led on significant international aviation losses and is known for his expertise in the aviation insurance market, where he has longstanding relationships with leading insurers and brokers.
Ireland was previously a partner at Kennedys between 2013 and 2016 and before that practised at Gates & Partners and legacy Beaumont & Co, which merged with Clydes in 2005. He began his legal career at Simmons & Simmons in 1997.
Kennedys said Ireland would bring an expanded international network and client base to its London aviation team.
Simon Balls, who leads the London aviation practice, commented: “Rob’s appointment reflects our continued investment in our aviation offering and our ambition to strengthen our position as a market-leading insurance practice. His reputation in the aviation insurance market and his strong client relationships will be invaluable as we continue to grow globally.”
Ireland wrote on LinkedIn that Kennedys' global aviation team had "evolved and grown significantly over the last decade and I’m genuinely excited to be part of a team with ambitious plans for the future.”
The team advises insurers and aviation clients on a range of complex and high-value matters, acting on disputes that often involve major losses, technical issues and cross-border claims.
Ireland's appointment comes during a period of continued growth for Kennedys, which earlier this month reported FY26 revenue of growth of just over 9% to hit £457m. The firm has been busily expanding in the US, where it has gone from one office to 12 since 2017, and this week announced the hire of a 12-lawyer trial team from Tyson & Mendes to grow its corporate defence roster stateside.
It also boosted its London bench recently with the hire of corporate crime and investigations lawyer Will White and corporate lawyer Lowri Jones from DLA Piper and Cripps respectively, shortly after commercial dispute lawyer Samson Spanier moved over from Norton Rose Fulbright.
Ireland’s appointment adds further senior-level experience to Kennedys' specialist insurance practice and underlines its focus on expanding its aviation offering, as demand for specialist aviation claims advice remains strong across the global insurance market.
A spokesperson for Clyde & Co said: “Rob Ireland has left Clyde & Co. We thank him for his contribution to the firm and wish him all the best for the future.”
His move follows a series of senior exits from Clyde & Co’s arbitration practice this year, with Loukas Mistelis joining Steptoe, energy arbitration partner Richard Power moving to Fieldfisher and a two-partner team led by the firm's former international arbitration chair, Ben Knowles, moving to Keystone Law.
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