FEATURE
Refreshing – Elaine joined Punch Robson as the only female among seven partners , but she immediately felt valued and listened to .
After completing the Legal Practice course , she took a job for a year as a legal secretary with Close Thornton , in Darlington , before spending five years as a paralegal with Dickinson Dees .
That was followed by a training contract with Archers Law , with her qualifying as a solicitor in corporate finance in 2006 .
In the meantime , her son , Callum , was born in 2002 , and she ’ d become a single mum by the time the global financial crash happened in 2008 .
Driven by the added responsibility and fear of failure – both as a lawyer and a parent – she raced up the career ladder .
After a move to BHP Law for 18 months , she joined Thorp Parker , in Stokesley , as a partner , but resigned without having a job to go to when things didn ’ t work out as she ’ d hoped .
It was another gamble but , within two weeks , she ’ d been recruited by Punch Robson to become the only woman among seven partners .
“ As a woman , there were times when I had to overcome prejudice while I was climbing the ladder – it was very much a man ’ s ladder – but there was a really refreshing attitude at Punch Robson ,” she says .
“ Although I was the only female partner , they were all gentlemen and were prepared to listen to my ideas . I felt valued and realised we were working towards common goals .”
Having joined the practice as a 39-year-old in 2013 , she quickly became head of commercial , and got equity in the business six years ago when she became managing partner .
“ When I came here , I laid out my CV and it was only then that I realised how much I ’ d actually done . I think it was then that I finally started to believe in myself ,” admits Elaine .
She was also grateful to her fellow partners for their flexibility when her daughter suffered from mental health issues as a teenager .
“ When you get that kind of support , it means a lot and it becomes reciprocal ,” she says .
Bethany has now proudly qualified as a mental health nurse , and Callum is studying biological science at university . Meanwhile , Elaine got married six years ago , so her personal life “ feels complete ”.
The business is also back in good shape , having been steered by Elaine through the challenges of the pandemic . It was a tough time , with 24 staff having to be furloughed in the first week of lockdown , followed by a number of redundancies .
“ We had to implement a strategy to see the business through and I was in tears making that furlough announcement ,” she admits . “ I wondered if I was strong enough to deal with it all , but it got easier once government money was unlocked for businesses .”
“ As women in business , we should be there on our merits , not just because we ’ re female . Things have changed for the better , but there ’ s still work to do to inspire more women to fulfil their potential .”
Now , Punch Robson is back in growth . Turnover is up , so are profits , and there is investment in existing staff and bringing in new recruits . “ We ’ re doing well , and I just want to make sure it stays that way ,” she says .
As well as being managing partner , Elaine has always kept a full caseload for herself because she still loves practising as a lawyer and “ being out and about generating business ”.
Beyond her role with Punch Robson , she ’ s also a role model to other businesswomen and has been a leading supporter of the Tees Businesswomen Awards .
“ As women in business , we should be there on our merits , not just because we ’ re female . Things have changed for the better , but there ’ s still work to do to inspire more women to fulfil their potential ,” she says , before adding with a satisfied smile that there are now three female partners at Punch Robson , alongside two men .
So , does Elaine McLaine-Wood , whose confidence was knocked when she was pushed to the back of the class at primary school , finally accept that she ’ s proved herself ?
“ You never know what ’ s round the corner but , yes , I think I can see that I ’ ve been quite successful ,” she replies .
Surely , that ’ s the case – beyond reasonable doubt .
26 | Tees Business