The appointment is in line with the growing trend for law firms to bring in non lawyers to take up senior management positions. Cutler Hughes & Harris appointed the former general manager of OgilvyAction, Robin Parkes, as its COO earlier this year.

Among past roles, Scott-Hayward headed up Beaton Consulting’s Beacon research — the world’s largest study of clients of professional services firms. He is also a former advisor to the King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation in South Africa and has held general management positions at top tier law firms and has been a consultant to numerous top and mid tier professional services firm, as well as to the University of Melbourne and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As COO, Scott Hayward will work with the firm’s board and chief executive partner David Fitch and will focus primarily on the firm’s strategy implementation, ongoing finance, technology and operational improvements. He will also provide strategic director to the firm’s marketing and HR functions.