Naming Nicholas Blake-Knox as next managing partner in Ireland

We are delighted to announce that we will appoint Nicholas Blake-Knox as our new managing partner for Ireland, commencing 30 April 2026.

Respected asset management & investment funds lawyer Nick will succeed Jonathan Sheehan, who has successfully completed a four-year term.

Nick will lead our Ireland office which currently has over 200 staff.

Commenting on his appointment, Nick said, 'I am incredibly honoured to be appointed managing partner of Walkers in Ireland. I look forward to working more closely with my exceptionally talented colleagues across our various business lines and to ensuring that we continue to deliver best in class service for our clients both here in Ireland and globally.'

'Over the last number of years, we have experienced continued growth within the Irish market and I would like to thank Jonathan Sheehan in particular for his strong leadership during this period which has made this possible. I am really excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Walkers in Ireland.'

Jonathan said, 'I am delighted to congratulate Nick on his appointment. Nick is an exceptional leader and is extremely highly regarded both within the firm and across the market. I know that the firm will continue to flourish under his leadership.'

'It has been my privilege to serve as managing partner for Ireland. I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received during my tenure from across our firm and our client base, and I look forward to supporting Nick in his new role.'

Ingrid Pierce, global managing partner, commented, 'I would like to congratulate Nick on his appointment and I look forward to working closely with him during his tenure. I would also like to thank Jonathan Sheehan for all that he has achieved over the last four years as managing partner. Ireland remains a key jurisdiction for Walkers and we will continue to grow in this market.'

Nick has in excess of 20 years’ experience working in the asset management and investment funds industry and is widely regarded as a leading lawyer in his field. Nick was previously elected to the Irish Funds Council and in 2024/2025 served as Chair of Irish Funds. In 2025, Nick was appointed for a two-year term by the Irish government to its ‘Ireland for Finance Joint Committee’ which is a strategic initiative aimed to further grow and develop Ireland’s financial services sector. Nick is a regular contributor to industry publications and speaker at investment fund and asset management conferences. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Certified Investment Fund Director Institute and lectures on various executive education programmes.

Before joining Walkers, Nick was Senior Vice President and Senior Legal Counsel at PIMCO in London, managing all areas of the EMEA funds business.