EDUCATION
Support – Teesside University’ s Dr Suzanne Hague, left, and Lucie Burton, second right, with Natalie Nunn and Helen Lannagan of Freeman Johnson Solicitors.
WORDS: SARAH DALE PICTURES: CHRIS BOOTH
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
Law firm’ s leadership team’ s plans growth thanks to university support
Completing the Help to Grow: Management course at Teesside University Business School has helped Freeman Johnson to strengthen its leadership team and implement a plan to continue its growth trajectory.
The law firm, which has offices in Darlington, Durham and Northallerton, recently opened a fourth office at Cleveland Business Centre in Middlesbrough.
Natalie Nunn, managing partner, and Helen Lannagan, senior partner, credit the 12-week course with supporting their decision to open another office, developing the firm’ s leadership team and expanding their knowledge and skill set in business strategy, branding and communicating change ahead of a rebrand.
The course, which is 90 % governmentfunded, has four key areas: strategies for growth and innovation; engaging with customers; building a sustainable and agile business; and operations and financial strategies.
It includes 50 hours’ leadership training and 10 hours’ one-to-one mentoring. Everyone leaves the course with a tailored growth action plan to share with their team.
“ Our previous managing partner held the role for 27 years and although he had prepared me for taking over the role in May 2023, I wanted to do something that would further develop my leadership skill set,” explains Natalie.
“ One of the things I have learned is every business is sharing the same challenges. During the course we all shared experiences with recruitment and retention, managing people effectively, how to manage changes and communicate changes.”
Helen adds:“ The course was really
helpful and showed the need to focus on strategy. The section of the course on communicating change was very good.
“ As part of the business’ future progression, we are looking at a rebrand and we want to ensure we involve all the staff in the process. Having a lawyer mentor and Natalie having a businessgrowth mentor was also very useful.”
Freeman Johnson has 37 employees, including four salaried partners, plus five equity partners. Over the past five years, the firm has successfully navigated several changes resulting from partners retiring as a result of the firm having an effective succession plan.
“ We are really invested in all our staff, from our lawyers to our support staff,” says Natalie.
“ Part of our growth plan was starting a Freeman Johnson Junior Lawyers Group. We provide training on general practice to run alongside their qualifications, including the importance of compliance and client care.
“ We have strengthened our litigation and childcare departments – litigation through external hires and our childcare department has grown from within the firm following several staff members gaining their qualifications and accreditations. It is a great balance of growing our own and bringing in external expertise.”
The firm has significantly invested in its IT systems and cyber security, attaining Cyber Essentials Plus and implemented improvements to its IT system including new laptops for every employee.
“ It’ s part of our digital transformation to futureproof the business, which has led us to move on to the firm’ s brand, refurbishing the offices and investing in the firm’ s staff through recruitment and retention to grow the firm,” adds Helen.
Lucie Burton, commercial project
Backing – Teesside University’ s Lucie Burton, left, and Dr Suzanne Hague, second right, with Natalie Nunn and Helen Lannagan of Freeman Johnson Solicitors.
manager at Teesside University Business School, says:“ Help to Grow Management starts with strategy, looking at where you are now and where you want to be in the future, to create a sustainable and agile business.
“ Each cohort is full of like-minded individuals who want to progress and grow, both personally and in business. We have an alumni network which includes CPD and networking, creating long term connectivity with the university. We have supported more than 140 Tees Valley businesses which has created a really strong community.”
Teesside University is one of 64 universities across the country which delivers the course. Since it started delivering the course in 2021, it has supported 140 participants.
The university is now working with the law firm’ s partners to provide a bespoke transformational leadership programme starting in September to support their rebrand and growth plan.
To be eligible for the course, you must work for a SME based in the UK, employ between five and 249 employees, be a member of the senior leadership team and have been operational for at least one year.
Email TUBSBusiness @ tees. ac. uk or visit https:// smallbusinesscharter. org / h2gmcourse / teesside-8 for more details.
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