Farrer & Co appoints new IT Director and Head of Innovation and AI

Leading independent law firm Farrer & Co is pleased to announce the appointment of Rod Fripp as its new IT Director and Oliver Jeffcott as its Head of Innovation and AI - Counsel, effective 1 December 2025.

Rod joins Farrer & Co from Capsticks, where he spent eight years as IT Director, shaping strategy and leading the department to support the firm’s growth. With a career spanning senior leadership roles across the legal sector, he brings extensive expertise in driving tech innovation, strengthening security, and improving efficiency and client experience.

Oliver joins Farrer & Co from Macfarlanes. He qualified as a solicitor in 2008, but has spent recent years at the forefront of legal technology, developing expertise in this rapidly evolving field. With a strong passion for Artificial Intelligence and Innovation and a unique blend of legal and tech experience, Oliver will play a pivotal role in advancing our AI strategy and driving engagement across the firm.

These appointments follow the transition of Andy Beech, the firm’s long-standing IT Director. Andy, who began his career at Farrer & Co as an IT helpdesk manager in 2004 and has served the firm for more than 21 years, will be retiring from his IT Director role next month. From January, he will move into a new part-time position as Strategic Initiatives Advisor, focused on advancing key firm-wide workstreams with a broad organisational remit.

Sam Macdonald, a member of the firm's Management Board said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Rod to the firm. Technology is of course a critical part of our long-term success, not just in supporting the way we work today but in shaping how we deliver services to clients in the future. Rod’s expertise and vision will be central to ensuring we remain at the forefront of tech innovation in the legal sector, strengthening our ability to provide a secure, efficient and forward-looking service for our clients.

We’re also delighted to welcome Oliver. His expertise and combined specialisms will strengthen the excellent work the firm is already doing in this area and help drive greater engagement with AI across our legal teams.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Andy Beech for his exceptional leadership and dedicated service over many years. Andy has played a pivotal role in shaping our IT function and supporting the wider firm, and we are grateful that he will continue to contribute in his new Strategic Initiatives Advisor role.”

Commenting on his appointment, Rod added:

“I am delighted to be joining Farrer & Co at such an exciting time. The firm’s forward-looking approach to technology and its ambition to use IT as a driver of change and of improved client services are impressive, and I look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place.”

Commenting on his appointment, Oliver added:

"I’m thrilled to be joining the firm at such a pivotal moment. Farrer & Co has a long-standing reputation for embracing change and placing innovation at the heart of its strategy. I look forward to working closely with our KL&D, IT and legal teams to help drive forward our AI initiatives and ensure we remain at the forefront of legal innovation."

© Farrer & Co LLP, December 2025