Business Quarter Interview – Meet the MD

Meet the MD: BQ Interview

Describe your role in no more than 100 words.

As managing director of Band Hatton Button, I am responsible for the overall success of the business. I provide a general oversight of all activities and manage the day-to-day operations to ensure the organisation functions smoothly and efficiently.

It is also important that the business and its services remain relevant to the community, so I help the board to determine values, vision, and short to long-term goals.

I also assure programme quality and organisational stability through the development and implementation of standards and controls, systems and procedures, and regular evaluation.

What is it the company does?

Band Hatton Button in Coventry provides a wide range of legal services to business and individuals throughout the UK.

The firm was formed out of the merger of three of Coventry's leading law firms Varley Hibbs, Band Hatton and Button Legal in 2013.

It has since enjoyed significant growth by strengthening its offering across the region and has a well-established reputation for providing service excellence to all clients.

What do you believe makes a great leader?

Great leaders will often have sensational man-management skills allowing them to inspire the best and most productive effort from every member of the team. Relentless hard work and good attention to detail are also important.

What has been your biggest challenge in your current position?

Leading the merger of the three firms in April 2013 has been my biggest challenge but also a great success. In the last two years we have been able to combine and strengthen our expertise and have enjoyed significant growth.

How do you alleviate the stress that comes with your job?

I have a great family unit around me which prevents me from getting too stressed!

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A footballer! I was so committed to playing professionally, I even had a trial at Walsall when I was 16 but they told me 'I wasn't quite ready'.

Any pet hates in the workplace?

Timekeeping, anyone who knows me will tell you this is my biggest pet hate.

Where do you see the company in five years time?

A leading firm in Coventry and Warwickshire providing service excellence to our clients, and an exciting and energetic place to work.

What advice would you give to an aspiring business leader?

Believe in yourself. Anyone with a passion to succeed will find a way to do so.

Where did you start your career?

I joined the banking sector at the start of my career and had 12 valuable years in the industry. Business finance and administration are key in any sector, and my early career has stood me in good stead for my career in the legal sector.

Give us a brief timeline of your career so far.

I worked in the banking sector throughout the 1990s and up to 2002. I have worked in a variety of roles from junior administration positions to retail manager. I joined a West Midlands law firm in 2002 to head up its residential department.

I then completed a four-year stint in Cheshire as practice director of a regional firm which fully developed my knowledge of the industry.

I joined Band Hatton as practice director in 2008 and helped to ensure that the firm was in a strong position financially to enter into merger negotiations. Varley Hibbs, Band Hatton and Button Legal successfully merged in 2013.