Hardwicke Building is completely overhauling its structure and organising into four key client divisions as it aims to break into The Lawyer top 20 sets by revenue within five years.
Nigel Jones
The set has hired Matrix Chambers practice director Amanda Illing to drive the initiative, which will also include a rebranding exercise.
“We wanted to bring in a practice manager who will head the divisions and get to know the clients and what they want,” said head of chambers Nigel Jones QC.
As practice director, Illing will report to chief executive Ann Buxton and will be responsible for the four practice groups – each of which will have its own manager.
The set currently divides into practice areas such as family law, housing law and education law. This will be scrapped in favour of four key divisions: commercial, public, insurance and property, and private client.
The clerking role will be scrapped in favour of practice directors, who will be appointed by Illing. Jones said the chambers’ clerks were in support of the initiative but it was not yet clear where they would sit in the new structure – Illing would be instrumental in deciding that.
Jones said the set would look to build alliances directly with non-lawyer clients such as accountancy firms and in-house corporate teams as it opens up to a new client base.
I think it is an amazing opportunity for both Amanda and Hardwicke! I wish them both the best of luck on reaching their goals!
Good to hear that Hardwicke are serious about getting their administrative function into a more professional structure. But one can’t help but wonder if indeed the present clerks do support the initiative, when it means either a demotion or very different (and less strategic) role for the more senior staff. And what is key in these kind of appointments is the co-operation between clerks and practice director. This will be an interesting development!
What a coup! Hardwicke’s profile has improved dramatically over the last 5 years and Illing’s recent appointment is surely testimony to that. Glad to hear that social housing will continue to have a place at this ambitious set. I noted the recent launch of their Annual Social Housing Conference with considerable interest – supported by Inside Housing no less! Well done Hardwicke Building and good luck at The Lawyer’s Chambers of the Year Awards 2009. I’ll be watching this space.