Claire Clarke

Mills & Reeve

As 2019 drew to a close, Mills & Reeve managing partner Claire Clarke could take a great deal of satisfaction in a job well done, having helped her firm meet its 2020 strategic goals at least a year early, achieving record financial results in 2018/19. But for Clarke, who works closely with senior partner Justin Ripman, the role covers much more ground than simply ensuring that turnover and profit hit their marks. A number of other, less obvious, KPIs have also been making good progress in recent years.

For one thing, Mills & Reeve is gaining significant traction with its aim of developing a reputation in the market for innovation. Clarke, one of few female managing partners at a top 100 firm, is also passionate about encouraging and developing talent. Indeed, one of the achievements Clarke is most proud of is the partner development programme, which is designed to underscore the need for continuous learning.

But the most important part of Clarke’s role is to protect and strengthen the Mills & Reeve culture the firm continues to grow. At the last count, 97 per cent of staff say they would recommend working at the firm.

Quite an endorsement.