Page 8 - Annual Review 2015-2016

Chairman’s

Statement

Alan Benzie, Chairman

A challenging year Managing a demanding forecast People Executive (EPE) which looks at
everything to do with our people; including
It has been a challenging year for our industry, We are under continual pressure from the
recruitment, training, career path and
but with good insight and intelligent planning ‘more for less’ economy and efficient business
structures. We have also undertaken our first
we’ve managed to achieve above average practices are essential if we are to continue
People Engagement Survey which saw a
results. We are pleased with developments to thrive whilst meeting client needs.
strong response rate of 67%.
in our Commercial Services Division but it As a client-centric legal business, our teams
has been a tough year for Insurers. This has have focused on creating a full spectrum of
then impacted their advisors and resulted products and services to support our clients in
in increasing pressure on margins. We have meeting their own business objectives. It is the
worked hard at controlling overheads and net development of this extended service offering
profit is up, but there is still plenty of work to that ultimately underpins our ability to become The survey highlighted a number of areas
be done. a sustainable business for our people, and for improvement that we were aware of,
one that adds value for our clients. however, what it served to confirm was
We have secured the management of our how important those issues were for our
financial teams with the appointment of our new Driven by people and relationships people. It also demonstrated that we
Chief Financial Officer, Chris Stefani, who joined have a very healthy level of engagement
Whilst it has been a challenging year it has
us from EY. Chris is a strong cultural fit, full of
been one of review, analysis and planning for
ideas to further improve our processes, and
a strong future with our people at the heart
will provide the strong financial management
of it. We have formulated the Engaging
essential to underpinning our success.