Gowling WLG has announced the appointment of Chris Towle as the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its UK LLP, effective May 2026. Towle, who began his career with the firm as a trainee in 2004, currently leads the Birmingham corporate team and serves as global co-lead for the firm’s US initiatives. He has been a partner since 2016.
David Fennell, the current CEO, will step down after 12 years in the role. Reflecting on his tenure, Fennell highlighted the firm’s growth, including the merger between Wragge and Lawrence Graham, the global combination with Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, and the establishment of international offices in Frankfurt, Beijing, Shanghai, and Abu Dhabi.
Emma Pioli, Chair at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, expressed confidence in Towle’s leadership, stating, “I’m really looking forward to working with him to deliver our growth strategy and his broader ambitions for our firm.” She also acknowledged Fennell’s contributions, noting, “The firm has come a long way under his leadership, and we owe a lot to him for everything he has done throughout the last 12 years in the role.” ([insidermedia.com](https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/gowling-wlg-reveals-the-uk-llps-next-chief-executive-as-david-fennell-prepares-to-step-down?utm_source=openai))
This leadership transition follows the recent appointment of Sarah Felger as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in September 2025. Felger brings experience from senior strategic and operational roles at CMS, Taylor Wessing, Irwin Mitchell, and Womble Bond Dickinson. She will lead operational strategy across the firm’s offices in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, focusing on technology and AI adoption. ([insidermedia.com](https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/new-chief-operating-officer-at-gowling-wlg-uk-llp?utm_source=openai))
In Canada, Gowling WLG appointed Steve McKersie as CEO in January 2022. McKersie, who has spent his entire career with the firm, oversees a corporate and commercial law practice with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, debt and equity financing, and commercial contract negotiations. ([gowlingwlg.com](https://gowlingwlg.com/en-ca/news/firm-news/2022/steve-mckersie-to-succeed-peter-lukasiewicz-as-ceo?utm_source=openai))
These appointments reflect Gowling WLG’s commitment to internal talent development and strategic growth across its global operations.