The leading global law firm CMS today announced the appointment of Isabel Scholes as Executive Director, effective 1 October 2021. Currently, Director of Business Development, Marketing and Communications at CMS, she will succeed Matthias Lichtblau, who has held this position since 2013.
As Executive Director, Isabel Scholes will have the overall responsibility for all operational functions of CMS Legal Services EEIG, the central service unit for all CMS member firms. She will also be a member of the CMS Executive Team, which includes Chairman Pierre-Sébastien Thill and Executive Partner Duncan Weston.
Isabel Scholes joined CMS in 2011 from Reuters where she was Head of News Marketing, EMEA. In her current role at CMS, she works closely with the Executive Team on strategic projects and is a member of the CMS Sustainability Committee. With an international team of 35 people, she has spearheaded several key initiatives such as the restructuring of the international business development team, creating and launching the new CMS brand, running digital marketing campaigns and introducing global CSR initiatives.
On the appointment of the first female Executive Director at CMS, Pierre-Sébastien Thill said, “I am delighted that Isabel has agreed to take on the role as Executive Director. This change comes at a time when firms have to adapt to a new business and working environment. So, we are particularly glad that someone with Isabel’s experience in business development, marketing and communications as well as her excellent knowledge of the professional services and B2B sectors will be joining our management team, bringing a fresh perspective to the role.”
Matthias Lichtblau to leave CMS after eight years
Matthias Lichtblau, who joined CMS in 2007 as Director of Business Development, Marketing and Communications at CMS Germany and was subsequently appointed as CMS Executive Director, has taken the decision to leave CMS.
Reflecting on Matthias Lichtblau’s time at CMS, Pierre-Sébastien Thill said, “Matthias has played an integral role in shaping CMS into the organisation that it is today and for that we are very grateful. As head of our central service unit, he has successfully led a strong international team – covering all areas from business development, marketing and training to finance and IT. In this role and as a trusted member of the Executive Team, he contributed significantly to the success and growth of CMS. We thank him for his excellent work for CMS over the years and wish him all the best for the future.”
Isabel Scholes commented, “Under Matthias’s leadership, the CMS Legal Services Team has grown in scope and size over the years and does a great job of supporting the 18 member firms that make up our organisation. Building on this, I see the key task in my new role as twofold: First, ensuring the timely, high-quality delivery of operational services and key strategic projects to all our CMS member firms, supporting all of them equally well regardless of their size and capacity. Second, ensuring that CMS is able to adapt quickly to a world of ever-accelerating change, with innovative solutions that benefit our clients and our own people.”
Matthias Lichtblau added, “It has been a privilege to have been part of CMS’s success story. Over the past years, we have successfully executed on our strategy, for example the expansion of CMS into Latin America, Africa and Scandinavia, professionalised our global clients and business development initiatives, launched innovative tech products and built a world-class training programme – just to name a few key initiatives. Thank you to my team at CMS Legal Services and all colleagues from across CMS who helped make this possible.”
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