Insights

An Independent Mind

Sharpening the role of a law firm NED

Authors

  1. Kate Ludlow
  2. Mary Few
  3. Philip Rodney

Saxton Bampfylde has been finding and placing non-executive and executive talent across the professional services environment for over 30 years. Recently, we have seen a growing number of non-executive appointments in all sizes of law firm across the UK, and this trend appears to be one that is set to continue.

To understand this trend we wanted to explore the drivers and understand why some firms are keen, and equally why others do not feel the need or the inclination to take this step.

For our latest thought piece, ‘An Independent Mind: Sharpening the role of a law firm NED‘, we talked to a range of managing partners, chairs and non-executives from leading international, City and regional law firms throughout England and Scotland – those who have and those who don’t have non-executives on their boards.

We explored a range of areas including:

  • definition of the non-executive role
  • how it adds value
  • is an independent view important
  • why it exists and why it doesn’t
  • and finally, how to make the search work
  • what makes it attractive to candidates

Our discussions were varied and interesting and all contributors were honest and thoughtful with their responses. We are extremely grateful for their time and insight. We hope that this piece is useful to firms and candidates alike and we welcome all thoughts and questions it might prompt.

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