The Innovation Group chief legal officer James Liddiard has left the company after 15 years to join contractor and service company Colt Group.
He replaces Jo Humphrey, who left in June after six years at the helm of the legal and commercial team to become a consultant.
At The Innovation Group, Liddiard was also company secretary and was in charge of group legal matters, including outsourcing and technology contracts, mergers and acquisitions, IT and IP law, HR and dispute resolution and corporate governance.
In his time at The Innovation Group, Liddiard was profiled in The Lawyer in 2005 when he was handling the company’s legal work as a sole in-house lawyer.
His exit comes two years after The Innovation Group was acquired by asset manager the Carlyle Group for £500m. His replacement has yet to be announced.
In his new role, Liddiard is in charge of the company’s legal function, and sits as part of the company’s board as a director. He is also company secretary.
“I am thrilled about my new appointment,” said Liddiard. “I am joining Colt at a very exciting time in its development, and I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with my new colleagues.”
Colt Group chief executive officer Mark Oliver said: “We welcome James to the Colt Group. His legal expertise, and commercial and corporate experience will strengthen our board and help us deliver on our strategy. I am sure all stakeholders in our global business will find him a pleasure to work with.”
The Innovation Group was approached for comment.
