Page 23 - Annual Review 2015-2016

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When these resources are delivered in a joined the extent to which people at DWF:
up way they really represent the future of law. • Speak positively about our business We have almost quadrupled our office space
Over the last 12 months we have strengthened in Dubai’s International Finance Centre (DIFC)
• Recommend DWF as a great place to work Business Overview
our proposition in all of these areas and we have to cater for growing client demand. Following
invested in bringing dedicated people into the • Feel motivated to do their best in their job the recent appointments of Waseem Khokhar
business to make this happen. Now we plan to • Feel strongly connected to DWF and its as new DWF Middle East Managing Partner
vision and values
focus on providing the services in a way in which and Director Jazz Moman, joining from PwC
our clients can best consume them. This was important for us, not just because Legal Middle East and King & Wood Mallesons
engaged employees are an essential part respectively, we also plan to further expand our
Engaging our people; training and of our strategy but because it enables us to service line offering within this region.
development as a key to growth understand how and where we create value for
the people within our teams. The results of the 2015/2016 saw our first major expansion into
Fundamentally, client relationships are built
survey were presented to the Executive Board Europe. Our merger with BridgehouseLaw in
through chemistry - a similar outlook and
then cascaded throughout the business. I am January 2016 was viewed by the Strategic Board
approach, and an ability to talk on the same level.
pleased to report that we have already started as a crucial move, particularly with Germany
This requires a different mindset and therefore
to act on the feedback received, and what was being the largest economy in the Eurozone.
last year we continued to build comprehensive
enormously evident from the results was the
training programmes for our people, to help
passion our people have for the business and In BridgehouseLaw we found the perfect cultural
achieve our vision.
their commitment to wanting it to succeed. fit and access to a wider network of international
relationships. Our Brussels office, opened in
We are keen to demonstrate what good
Mergers and acquisitions instrumental 2015, was an important ingredient for businesses
management looks like in a fast paced
to growth requiring support around the regulatory
innovative environment – balancing both
requirements within/surrounding the Eurozone,
consistency and giving people a chance to Our geographic expansion has always been
and also links well to our Dublin office.
shine, delivering both brilliant basics as well driven by client need. Whilst we have operated
as innovation. As fits with our strategy strand in various international jurisdictions for over
BridgehouseLaw, now DWF Germany, operate
of constantly doing things differently, this will 20 years, this year we have continued to
from Cologne and Munich and are supported
continue to evolve. Simultaneously, we will increase and formalise our geographical reach.
by an international network focused on the
work hard to attract and retain high quality and Ultimately this was driven by our desire to
Middle East: particularly Qatar, Saudi Arabia
motivated lawyers, talented managers and provide a more aligned offering to our client
and Israel, and the US. The team advises US
inspiring leaders, looking for the opportunity to base which is becoming increasingly global.
companies expanding into Germany and
shape something dynamic and exciting. We also recognise that expansion presents a
German companies expanding into the US on
significant opportunity for growth, particularly
the full range of commercial issues with particular
Communication; not just broadcasting for our Commercial Services Division.
expertise in corporate/M&A, distribution,
2015/2016 saw us launch our inaugural People employment, IT/IP and litigation matters.
Our International Steering Committee (ISC)
Engagement Survey. The survey, led by our
has been instrumental in the development of
Engaging People Executive (EPE), was designed
our international proposition and we believe
to inspire honest feedback and to identify areas
that we have the advantage of building our
for improvement that the business needed to
overseas business in the light of the changed
focus on. It was also a way for our people, many
landscape, following the Brexit vote. We intend
of whom have joined as part of our merger
to build our business to deliver strength and Their technical skill, dedication
activities, to be involved in shaping the kind of
resilience, with tailored international exposure
culture where career goals are pursued in a and responsiveness has been
which enables us to meet whatever the future
workplace based on mutual respect. In doing
brings with confidence. exceptional. We see DWF as
so, it will help us to achieve the superior
performance needed to deliver our strategy and a true partner to our business
Our first move into international territory took
grow a sustainable business. It was our intention
place with the opening of our Dubai office in going forward.
to use the results to provide baseline data around
2014/2015 and over the last 12 months we have
built on this proposition.
- Adam Sable, Pure Scot,
General Manager

15squared
We have created ‘15squared’, a new
business that will focus solely on
innovation and product development.
We already have an unrivalled track record
for innovation, winning numerous awards
in the last 12 months.
By focusing our energy into a wholly
owned, separate business, we will be able
to take the innovation agenda not only to
the next level but, in time, beyond it.