CMS appoints Adrian Bell as new Managing Partner
CMS is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Bell as the firm’s next Managing Partner for the UK LLP.
Adrian joined the firm in 2002. He is a Partner and Co-Head of the firm’s Band 1 ranked global Infrastructure, Construction and Energy Disputes practice, as recognised by leading legal directories Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Adrian has also acted as joint Managing Director for APAC and the Middle East since 2017 during a period that has seen CMS grow significantly in those regions. The firm opened new offices in Abu Dhabi in 2020 and in Riyadh in 2023 and celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Oman in 2024. CMS formalised its Australian offering by opening a Brisbane based office in 2019, meanwhile the firm’s Hong Kong office has experienced substantial growth, including a raft of recent team hires bolstering core practice areas such as Corporate, Funds and Infrastructure, Construction and Energy Disputes.
Adrian will begin his four-year term at the beginning of April 2026. Until then, Stephen Millar continues as Managing Partner.
Senior Partner, Charles Currier, comments: “Adrian has a proven track record of driving strategic growth, fostering innovation, and building high-performing teams. I am confident that he will lead the firm with excellence, creativity and integrity and further strengthen the sense of community within CMS. I look forward to working with him as we continue to build on the momentum across the firm and deliver on the firm’s strategy for the benefit of partners, all our colleagues and our clients.”
Commenting on his appointment, Adrian adds: “It’s an honour to take on the role of Managing Partner, particularly at such an interesting time for the legal sector and where we have momentum as a firm. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside exceptional colleagues and clients across our global network, and I’m energised by the opportunity to build on the strong foundations we’ve already laid to achieve our ambitious growth targets.”
