Harrison Drury strengthens Manchester team with two legal director appointments

We are delighted to welcome two new colleagues, Claire Meyers and Ben Jackson to our growing Manchester office.

Claire Meyers and Ben Jackson have both joined us as legal directors, with Claire joining our commercial and intellectual property team and Ben joining our corporate team, both based at our Manchester office.

Claire joins Harrison Drury from specialist intellectual property law firm, Brandsmiths, where she was Of Counsel, and brings more than 20 years’ experience advising UK and international businesses on contentious and non-contentious intellectual property, commercial and competition matters.

She is recognised as a Notable Practitioner by Managing IP, a Leader in the 2026 World Intellectual Property Review and a Key Lawyer in the Legal 500.

Having acted for individual entrepreneurs through to multinational businesses on complex disputes involving trademarks, copyright, patents, design rights and reputation management, Claire has experience of proceedings before the IPEC, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Claire’s client track record covers a broad range of sectors including well-known household consumer brands, entertainment, leisure, retail, media, healthcare and fashion. She was also recently involved in the high-profile copyright dispute involving the owners of Peppa Pig and the creators of YouTube animation, Wolfoo.

Speaking on her appointment, Claire said: “Harrison Drury gives me the opportunity to bring my specialist IP experience into a full-service law firm where we can support clients across a much broader range of commercial issues.

“I was attracted by the quality of the firm’s clients and its approach to building long-term relationships with them. There’s also a real opportunity to help grow our IP practice and be part of a team that continues to make great strides in the Manchester market.”

Ben joins Harrison Drury after more than a decade with Newcastle-based Hay & Kilner LLP, latterly as senior associate. Ben has particular experience advising businesses in emerging technology sectors, including software companies, as well as advanced manufacturing and engineering. His expertise extends to data protection, having previously served as Data Protection Officer at Hay & Kilner.

Ben said: “Manchester has a thriving and ambitious business community and Harrison Drury is building real momentum in the city.

“The firm has a national reputation for its corporate work supporting entrepreneurs and growing businesses and I’m looking forward to helping develop our corporate presence in the city, supporting more businesses across the region.”

L to R – Mark Traynor, Claire Meyers, Ben Jackson, Asima Rana and Rory O’Hare

Rory O’Hare, commercial & IP Partner at Harrison Drury, said: “Claire is a high-calibre senior lawyer whose appointment underlines our ambition to continue adding significant experience and specialist expertise to our Manchester team.

“Her track record in intellectual property adds further depth to our commercial offering and gives us an opportunity to expand our IP work. She also brings the kind of expertise and profile that will help us build our presence in Manchester.

Mark Traynor, partner and head of corporate at Harrison Drury, added: “Ben brings significant corporate experience and a strong understanding of the sectors we work with, including technology, manufacturing and engineering.

“He has joined us with a real appetite to help grow our corporate presence in Manchester and support more businesses across the region. His appointment is another step in developing a team that gives our clients access to industry-leading people.”

Investment in our people and future growth

The senior appointments reflect Harrison Drury’s continued investment in attracting and developing talented people across its offices, as the firm builds the expertise and leadership capabilities needed to support its long-term growth.

The firm, which employs more than 230 people across nine offices, has continued to strengthen its teams through senior recruitment, promotions and professional development. This commitment was highlighted in September with the appointment of Chloe Wynter-Smith as learning and development manager, a role focussed on helping colleagues develop their skills and progress their careers.

Simon England, managing partner at Harrison Drury, said: “Our continued growth is built on the quality of our people and the culture we create around them. We want Harrison Drury to be a place where talented, ambitious people can develop their careers, do meaningful work and play an important role in shaping the future of the firm.

“That means continuing to invest in recruitment, professional development and creating opportunities for our people to progress. Appointments like Claire and Ben’s strengthen the expertise we offer clients, but they’re also about bringing in people who share our values and want to be part of what we’re building.”

The firm’s continued investment in its people follows further recognition in the 2027 Legal 500 rankings, with Harrison Drury’s lawyers and specialist teams recognised for their expertise and quality of client service. The results provide further evidence of the strength of the firm’s people and its commitment to developing industry-leading legal expertise across its offices.

Simon England