law All about people


The firm has 225 employees, including 43 partners, based in Southampton and Winchester. It has taken on 50 new staff in the past 18 months, with further appointments planned. Paris Smith takes pride in having a very low staff turnover, with around half its partners coming through the ranks.


“If you develop people and provide them with career opportunities, then the rest of the business falls into place. Recruiting the right people with the right attitude, and with values and beliefs that match those of the firm is hugely important to us,” Taylor emphasised.


Two recently created positions aim to further enhance client relationships. “Our director of strategic partnerships and our commercial services specialist reinforce our view about seeing things from the client’s perspective, so we can be sure to understand their goals, aspirations and challenges, how we can best advise and support them to enable their success,” said Taylor.


Winchester opens new opportunities


In 2015, Paris Smith opened its first office outside Southampton. “It took us nearly 200 years to move 14 miles up the road,” Vaughan quipped. “Winchester is a different marketplace to Southampton and trying to serve it from there wouldn’t work.”


Around 36 of the firm’s staff work in Winchester, including nine partners, and it recently took on more office space as it expands its client base. As with its deep-rooted commitment to improving Southampton’s prosperity, Paris Smith is building close relationships with Winchester’s city council, cathedral, university, hospital and theatre. An annual dinner for business leaders sponsored by the firm is an increasingly popular networking event.


Winchester office Future focus


There’s plenty to be positive about for the central and south region’s economy, believes Taylor. “I think there is a real desire to buy local and support local businesses. Southampton port will continue to be a key feature, particularly as transport infrastructure improves for freight. Cruise liners are another massive opportunity for the local economy, especially if we can think about ways of encouraging passengers to stay in the city and enjoy what it has to offer,” he said.


The firm believes that local businesses will benefit when Crossrail 1 and Crossrail 2 are completed in the northern part of the region. It is also keeping a close eye on the expanding digital and aerospace sectors in the north of Hampshire.


Although the long-term outcome of Brexit is still unknown, the firm’s employment advisory experts are increasingly busy, particularly for agriculture and hospitality clients that employ large numbers of east Europeans. “Our immigration team is expanding as demand grows from employers and universities to find ways of making it easier for valued and committed foreign nationals to stay in the UK,” said Vaughan.


The firm’s workload is also ratcheting up as the clock ticks down on the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation


(GDPR) coming into force on May 25. “We are providing a huge amount of training and support to businesses and charities across the region. We’re explaining what GDPR is about, how it can impact businesses, and the practical steps which they should be taking. A significant number of businesses have compliance with GDPR as a priority challenge for 2018,” said Taylor.


Anniversary celebrations


Paris Smith is preparing a spectacular summer ball for staff to thank them and celebrate its 200th anniversary. A special event for clients and local community groups will be another highlight during a year of celebration by the firm.


There’s a strong feeling at Paris Smith that the values guiding its first 200 years will set it in good stead for the next few centuries. If you consider the challenges and change experienced since 1818, you can understand the firm’s optimism. Vaughan said: “We see ourselves as custodians of the firm, aiming to leave it in better shape than when we joined, so it continues to be a successful part of the local community and economy.”


• The next issue of The Business Magazine will look at how Paris Smith supports Southampton FC.


parissmith.co.uk


Peter Taylor THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 businessmag.co.uk 33


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