Page 9 - Messenger Sep 2017

97% of Mills & Reeve staff say they would recommend the firm as a good place to work
Blackstone accredited with Investors in People Silver
A staff survey at leading national law firm Mills & Reeve has revealed excep- tionally high levels of em- ployee engagement.
The survey, which is carried out every two years, also showed that 97% of staff would recommend Mills & Reeve as an employer and 83% felt valued for the job they do.
“Whether a partner or a sec- retary, a director or a trainee lawyer, your opinion will be listened to and acted upon,” says Sandy Boyle, Director of Human Resources.
“What makes the survey un- usual is two things, the fact that over three-quarters of our staff completed the sur- vey, when the typical re- sponse is usually around 60% and secondly, the satis- faction levels of our staff. Obviously we are not com- placent, but we are really delighted by the results.”
Mills & Reeve has recently been named for a record 14th year running as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the Sunday Times’ annual survey. The firm was ranked 66th and is one of only a handful of or- ganisations nationally to have achieved a listing for over 14 years running, and the only UK law firm to do so.
Sandy added: “Part of the reason we are have achieved such a strong ranking again is because each and every one of our staff has a voice that is lis- tened to. The survey demonstrated that our staff care about what they do and are rewarded accord- ingly, not just financially, but also being recognised for what they do.”
Niall Innes, head of the firm’s Manchester office said: “The overall results are excellent, but our local re-
Niall Innes
sults were in some cases even better, with 100% of staff supporting the firm’s leadership team, and 92% agreeing that they are treated as an expert in their role.”
The Mills & Reeve board will now develop an action plan to address issues raised by staff in the survey, such an appetite by some to have more variety in their roles across the firm.
Blackstone Solicitors, with offices in Hale, Cheshire and Mayfair, London, has achieved ‘Investors in Peo- ple – Silver’ the interna- tional accreditation which recognises outstanding management, communi- cation, and training within businesses and or- ganisations.
From the thousands that seek Investors in People ac- creditation, across some 75 countries each year, only 20% gain the coveted Silver status.
Blackstone was established by Emma Nawaz in 2010 with just herself and a secre- tary and has since grown to
30 employees. In 2014 the firm were awarded Investors in People and have now gone on to achieve Silver.
The Investors in People Re- port summarized, “Black- stone Solicitors is an organisation with a set of strong values that define how people are encouraged to work. During the initial context meeting, leaders explained the importance of the values the firm holds, focusing on ‘communica- tion, tenacity and trans- parency’.Duringinterviews, line managers could de- scribe what knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to lead, manage and develop people effectively,
regularly referring to the values of Blackstone Solici- tors.”
Achieving such an accredi- tation is further proof of the value that Managing Direc- tor, Emma Nawaz places on her team. Asked for her re- sponse to this latest achievement, Emma said, “I am so proud of what we have all achieved. Our ‘Peo- ple’ value is incredibly im- portant. We hope that this award shows just how ded- icated we are in supporting and developing each one of our team and how much they are appreciated.”
Clough & Willis retains Law Society's quality mark for fifth year running
Bury & Bolton based law Clough & Willis firm has retained its membership to the Law Society's Con- veyancing Quality Scheme - the mark of ex- cellence for the home buy- ing process – for the fifth year running.
Retaining its CQS status marks the firm out as meet- ing high standards in the residential conveyancing process. The scheme re-
quires practices to undergo an initial strict assessment, compulsory training, self re- porting, random audits and annual reviews.
It is open only to members of the Law Society who meet the demanding stan- dards set by the scheme and has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Soci- eties Association, Legal Om- budsman and the
Association of British Insur- ers.
Shefali Talukdar – managing partner at Clough & Willis - commented: "We are de- lighted to have once again retained our CQS status. Giving our clients a reliable and efficient service is cen- tral to everything we do so this is recognition is testa- ment to the talents and pro- fessionalism of the team.”
The Blackstone Team
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Clough & Willis’ residential property team far right with Shefali Talukdar, managing partner
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