20 business focus
Pitmans is ready for the challenge of change
Pitmans has a proud and proven 150-year heritage of legal excellence, but its core focus will always be forward-thinking, satisfying the changing 21st century requirements of its clients, says managing partner John Hutchinson
The nature of the legal sector is rapidly changing, explains Hutchinson – driven by technological advances enabling different service delivery, mobile and flexible working, and a growing demand for business-relevant specialist advice from Internet-informed clients.
“The classic traditional law firm with its Downton Abbey-style differentiations and hierarchy should today be consigned to the past,” says Hutchinson. “Winning and retaining clients today requires very different skills than years ago.”
With more online ‘virtual firms’ and outsourcing of specialist legal services on the horizon, Pitmans stands ready to meet the challenge of change, not least because it seems to have already re-positioned itself to service contemporary clients, writes John Burbedge.
Over recent years Pitmans has steadily increased and honed its skillbase to establish a range of legal and business sector expertise that meets the diverse and increasingly international operational needs of its clients.
With annual fee income topping £25million, Pitmans is now a major regional presence with global capabilities, underpinned by a highly-skilled legal advisory team of more than 250.
Recognised as a top 100 UK ‘regional heavyweight’ law firm, Pitmans is a community of accomplished lawyers among whom several have been lauded by sector benchmarking bodies such as the The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Along with those enhanced Pitmans skills, the firm has grown its geographic capabilities, with the Thames Valley office in Reading, strategic M&A acquisitions boosting the London office, and notably the South Coast addition of Southampton-based Lamport Bassitt, together now covering an enviable dynamic three-region business economy.
International service links have also been heightened, not least through Pitmans membership of the collaborative MI Interact legal network. “With the type of companies moving into our regions, or already based here, you must be able to advise
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internationally on their business activities. It’s an increasingly important adjunct to what we do within Pitmans.”
Through sensitive and jigsaw-like M&A activity Pitmans has built a critical mass of full-service legal expertise and global operational scope – but, importantly, still has its personal, pragmatic and partner-led professional character, says Hutchinson.
“Pitmans today is a much more grown-up firm than it was, and we must ensure we don’t lose our essential working intimacy and good relationships.
“We have fantastic people that strive and succeed together, and we will continue to work with this winning teamwork ethic.
“We will be keen yet true to our philosophy of providing full-service expert advice across a range of areas where we have got proven expertise; to grow with our clients, to work as trusted advisers, to be part of their businesses and to add value.”
However, Hutchinson accepted that to meet the expectations of clients, both individuals and companies, Pitmans will have to keep evolving, while maintaining an environment in which its people enjoy working.
With 2016 set to be a year focused on employee talent and engagement, Hutchinson advocates ‘grow-your-own’.
“Rather than seeking ‘magic bullet’ recruits, investing time and resource in building the pyramid from the bottom, with staff who know your culture, is often the best option.” Pitmans has just increased its trainee programme intake, and enhanced its intern development programme for support staff.
“It’s all about advice that adds value.
“How our clients use technology in 2016 will impact on the legal services that we provide, and how we integrate ourselves within their business operations and fresh areas of law.
“The Internet may provide a lot of legal data and information. But, key for clients is the interpretation of that data and the confidence they are working with an expert who can assist and add value to their business.
“The future is about offering a complete legal advisory service, helping clients to
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – FEBRUARY 2016
assess risks, achieve their objectives and not just regurgitating the law. That is where law firms will have to move and operate, and that’s what Pitmans is doing now.
“This region (Thames Valley) is driven by business innovation, probably more than anywhere else in the UK or Europe, and we have to be able to support those companies as their operations move globally.
“Integrating ourselves into areas of new intellectual capital that will drive new business, is very important to us.
“Pitmans is now agile, responsive and ready to assist in those areas,” he added.
Unsurprisingly, Hutchinson foresees continued steady growth for Pitmans.
And increased competition? “This is a growing region with great companies coming here all the time. It’s probably the most exciting region in the UK, so I’d be surprised if other organisations didn’t try to come into the area. It’s nothing new for us. We are in competition with regional and London firms all the time.”
Details: John Hutchinson 0118-9570444
jhutchinson@pitmans.com www.pitmans.com
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