OUR PEOPLE
At Kearns, we have a team of legal professionals waiting to help you.
When you instruct Kearns you’ll find our team friendly, knowledgeable and professional throughout the process.
Leadership Team
Waine Mannix | Managing Solicitor
Waine has overall responsibility for the delivery of our service to clients. He is our Compliance Officer for Legal Practice as well as Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration.
Waine joined Kearns in 2022 after leading a large national debt recovery litigation practice for many years. Having specialised in managing recoveries litigation operations throughout his career, Waine was awarded inaugural membership of the “Credit Today 100” in recognition for his work in the consumer credit market.
When not working, Waine loves exploring new destinations around the world and socialising with family and friends.
Paula Swain | Managing Solicitor
Paula leads our commercial recoveries, litigation and insolvency service for our clients having led teams in law firms over the last 25 years whilst honing her expertise in commercial debt recovery, asset finance, commercial litigation and insolvency.
Paula is based in our Reading hub with her growing team and they are supported by our wider team in Caerphilly, drawing on their vast experience of collections and volume litigation.
Paula is also a Trustee of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management and regularly delivers legal updates to the credit management industry. Outside of work Paula enjoys travel, reading and time with her family and Sussex Spaniel.
Tim Johnson | Consumer Credit Recoveries & Operations
Tim leads our Consumer Credit Debt Recovery Litigation Team and is also responsible for the firm’s day to day operations.
With over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Tim has a detailed knowledge of consumer credit and expertise in managing high volume litigation. He works very closely with his team to ensure they provide a high quality, compliant and cost-effective service.
Outside of work, Tim enjoys all sports especially rugby and football.
Alastair Bell | Consumer Credit Disputes Resolution
Alastair heads our Consumer Credit Disputes Resolution Team and joined Kearns in 2021, bringing over 15 years’ experience as a solicitor in dispute resolution.
His team seeks to resolve clients’ disputes by applying in-depth, specialist knowledge in a balanced, fair and commercial manner.
When not working, Alastair enjoys being active outdoors and spending time with his young family.
Ray Welsby | Team Manager (Commercial Recoveries)
Ray is a Team Manager (Commercial Recoveries), helping to grow our commercial recoveries, litigation and insolvency offering. Based in our Reading hub, he is supported by Kearns’ wider team in our Caerphilly office, with their extensive knowledge and experience in regulated and unregulated recoveries and volume litigation.
Having previously served a full career in the military, followed by a 2-year spell in HMCTS, Ray has worked in commercial recoveries since 2011, having experience in a number of areas covering both business-to-business and business-to-consumer recoveries, from inception through to enforcement.
Outside of work, Ray splits his time between London and the south coast and enjoys travelling, music, playing guitar and supporting Arsenal.
Julie Burkitt | Finance Manager
A Chartered Certified Accountant, Julie joined Kearns in 2018 and has over 20 years’ experience working in finance within the legal sector. She has previously held finance manager roles in several large regional law firms.
Julie is responsible for all aspects of finance within Kearns (including management information reporting) and works closely with all of the firm’s legal teams. Julie is also our MLRO and supports the firm’s Compliance Officer for Finance Administration.
Outside of work, Julie likes to keep active by cycling, running and going to the gym.
Nerys Lewis | HR Manager
Nerys joined us in 2023 as our HR Manager and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
With over 25 years’ experience in both public and private sectors, Nerys is responsible for all aspects of Human Resources within Kearns.
Outside of work, Nerys enjoys travelling, musical theatre, and dancing and also volunteers with Girlguiding Cymru.
Ian Cork | Business Development and Client Relationship Consultant
Ian is Kearns’ Business Development and Client Relationship Consultant.
He has spent his long career in the FCA and SRA regulated sectors, including senior strategic development roles in the consumer finance industry and legal profession.
Ian thrives on building mutually rewarding, long-term and sustainable partnerships, evidenced through exceptional client and customer outcomes.
Ian enjoys walking in the Cotswolds, music and volunteering at a local nursing home in his spare time.
Leadership Team
Waine Mannix | Managing Solicitor
Waine has overall responsibility for the delivery of our service to clients. He is our Compliance Officer for Legal Practice as well as Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration.
Waine joined Kearns in 2022 after leading a large national debt recovery litigation practice for many years. Having specialised in managing recoveries litigation operations throughout his career, Waine was awarded inaugural membership of the “Credit Today 100” in recognition for his work in the consumer credit market.
When not working, Waine loves exploring new destinations around the world and socialising with family and friends.
Tim Johnson | Consumer Credit Recoveries & Operations
