Kemp Strang has appointed a new chief operating officer (COO) to lead its growth strategy.

Catherine Oates-Smith will join Kemp Strang on 3 October from her previous role as national business development director at Gadens Lawyers.

The COO role is designed to implement the strategic plan of the firm through leadership of all aspects of the component roles that make that up the HR, IT, business development, finance and knowledge.

The role was specifically created as part of Kemp Strang's strategic review this year in an attempt to position itself for growth over the next three years.

"The firm's made a lot of changes of late," Oates-Smith told Lawyers Weekly.

"They've had a complete governance review, they've appointed a new board, they've moved offices, they've invested in their IT systems, and they've re-invigorated their strategic plan. It's been a time of commitment for further change and growth," added Oates-Smith, who stepped down from her role as Gadens' business development director in July, but stayed with the firm until mid-August as a contractor.

"At our stage of development, it's important for the COO to understand the ins and outs of law firm practices and client care while balancing this with financial imperatives, human resourcing and firm culture," said managing partner Michael Joseph.

Oates-Smith said one of the greatest challenges facing law firms over the next five to 10 years is rapidly changing technology.

"Technology requires investment and scrutiny for the future," said Oates-Smith, adding that she tries to keep up by talking to people, keeping in contact with industry, keeping abreast of what is happening in law firms in the US and the UK and "constantly being alive to changes in the operating systems".