Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Andrew Wilkinson as its next European managing partner, succeeding private equity partner Jonathan Jones in May.
Announcing the move, chair and global CEO Mark Ruehlmann said: “Andrew is a respected leader whose deep understanding of our business and clients will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our firm and provide expert, sure-footed guidance around the world.”
He added: “As part of our senior global management team, he will play a central role in positioning the firm for continued success while ensuring the tightly knit cross-border collaboration that is a hallmark of our firm.”
Wilkinson, a partner in London since 2003, leads the firm’s European IP and technology practice. He specialises in advising UK and international companies on commercial matters, particularly technology agreements, with expertise across sectors such as AI, telecoms, fintech, healthcare, advertising, sport and hospitality.
He said: “It is an honour to take on this role at such an exciting time of growth for our firm. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues around the world to build on our tremendous success and take advantage of the opportunities across our integrated platform to deliver for clients in a rapidly changing world.”
Ruehlmann paid tribute to Jones’s “energy and commitment”, noting his contribution to growth and performance across the region.
Ruehlmann said: “During his tenure, Jonathan has helped oversee year-on-year growth and played a key role in developing our core practices and driving performance across the firm. We are a better firm because of his leadership.”
Jones’s six-year tenure, following Jane Haxeby, saw him reappointed to the post in 2023, having previously served as managing partner of the Leeds office for four years, and six years as head of private equity. He joined legacy Hammonds in 1998 and made partner two years later.
According to the Yorkshire Post, Jones will pursue a portfolio career after nearly 30 years with the firm, saying he would focus on non-executive appointments and investment opportunities alongside a partnership at SPB.
Jones told the Yorkshire Post: “Across the North of England, there’s a real opportunity to work with early-stage businesses that have, or need, venture capital or angel backing, helping them scale to a point where they’re attractive to private equity and then supporting this journey. That complete journey – from VC stage through PE to exit – is where I believe I can add most value.”
The leadership changes follow January’s appointments of London’s Charles Leeming, Columbus’s Traci Martinez and Milan’s Galileo Pozzoli to serve on the global board.
Recent growth at SPB has been marked by targeted team hires and senior lateral appointments across key practice areas. It bolstered its financial services regulatory arm with the arrival of Monica Gogna and her team from EY in March 2025, while also reinforcing its broader UK platform through a multi-partner hiring round announced in September 2025, which brought in talent across Birmingham, Leeds, London and Manchester.
It subsequently capitalised on this with further twin finance hires from Reed Smith, and in February added William Liu from K&L Gates in London, alongside further lateral arrivals and a 20-partner promotions round.
It launched an office in Amsterdam in 2023, followed by offices in Astana in 2024 and Baku in 2025. The firm previously expanded its European footprint with openings in Dublin in 2023 and in Geneva the following year.
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