2023 Christmas Message From The Chair

When we look back at 2023 we all have mixed feelings don’t we?

As a business we were perhaps too optimistic in terms of outlook. We had challenging recruitment targets, set for growth, and those remain. We are getting there, just not as quickly as we had hoped. That created internal pressure, but that drove efficiencies, which has been a real focus for us. These new ways of working, investment & recruitment have given us a terrific platform to continue into the next stage of our journey. We are approaching our 200th anniversary, yet have never been more agile, never more willing to change & have never had more desire to deliver on our promise of being #allthehelpyouneed – platinum service, with a smile, locally at sensible rates.

Twitter became ‘X’ and advertisers left in droves… Elon Musk has mentioned ‘bankruptcy’ recently (the lawyer in me cringes, because businesses become insolvent!) but we understand the concerns. Even at global scale, customers and advertisers can and will vote with their feet. The lessons for a regional business like ours are simple: we have to keep doing well that which we do well.

And we have!

For the third year in a row we were awarded the Platinum Trusted Service Award by Feefo, the independent review body. We retained our Lexcel badge – the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark, together with our Law Society accreditations. We had our brilliant staff recognised at the Leicestershire Law Society and on the national stage (well done Jess Leech!) and our staff awards in November celebrated every office, & those across the firm. Our lawyers featured heavily in the Legal 500 once more (the ‘who’s who’ of law) and we continue to receive national referrals. We have continued to sponsor events large and small, from PTA Christmas raffles to the region’s premier Northamptonshire Business Awards. We sponsored the first Northants Life Awards, and our Private Client team sponsored the NNBN awards, recognising local excellence in their own ways. Local matters to us – watch out for coats to keep the subs bench of a certain junior rugby team warm #comingsoon!

We launched a new training partnership with a national provider to open up legal training to all. It is clear to me that one constant that shines through WHY we do what we do, HOW we do what we do and why WE are different… is people. The people that we have on board make us unique. Their dedication, loyalty, drive and enthusiasm coupled with the approach of our partners, referrers, colleagues, supporters and clients, ensures that we get things done, together, but in a way that allows everyone to flourish. We are nothing without that support, and stopping to write this message reminds everyone here that we truly are stronger together. We are a rainbow nation where individuals thrive, and strive towards a common goal.

It is my pleasure to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year! – Remember though in 2024… #wegoagain!!

(but first… chocolate ?)

Kevin Rogers

Chair