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Ian’s arrival helped to transform Leo Abse & Cohen
into one of the region’s top law firms and he has been
helping them to collect armfuls of awards ever since.
Becoming managing partner in 1997, Ian adopted what he describes
as an ‘inclusive’ style of leadership, involving
everyone to transform the firm into one of the region’s
most innovative and forward-thinking legal businesses.
After getting an MBA, Ian instigated and led the firm through
the biggest changes in its 50-year history, creating an environment
where “everyone puts the ball in the back of the net.”
As well as entirely restructuring the firm’s management
system, he reorganised departments to ensure more effective
delivery, and opened the firm’s Swansea office in 2000
to expand its geographical reach.
He also introduced non-lawyers to the firm’s board,
including human resources, marketing and finance directors.
And he has taken his staff with him every step of the way.
“You can’t be a leader without involving others”,
he said. “Leo Abse & Cohen isn’t a one-man-band
and, as managing partner, I see it as my duty to motivate
the other leaders in the firm to help us achieve our common
goal.”
He counts Leo Abse & Cohen’s creativity and success
as his greatest business achievements, with the firm and its
employees picking up such awards as ‘Small to Medium
Sized Law Firm of the Year’ and ‘Legal Executive
of the Year’ at The Western Mail Business Awards, and
an Arts & Business Cymru Award for its innovative use
of art in employee development.
It was also shortlisted for the highly competitive category
‘Best Marketing Campaign’ in the national Law
Society Gazette Centenary Awards, run by the UK’s leading
legal publication.
Ian’s inspiration to lead comes from the firm. “When
you see the business continuing to go from strength to strength
and every single member of staff rolling up their sleeves
to carry on making improvements, it is inspiring. Everyone
gets a sense of professional pride in what they do, no matter
what level they’re at. I think that inspires us all.”
Robert Lloyd Griffiths is the marketing director at Leo Abse
& Cohen. Referring to Ian, he said: “He’s
a very natural leader. He has the ability to listen to others,
take on board their views and action them in a way that keeps
everyone ‘in the know’.
“The firm has evolved beyond recognition under his leadership.
He’s helping to ensure that law firms are finally recognised
as businesses.”
With his greatest leader of all time being Nelson Mandela,
it’s not surprising that Ian had these words of advice
to aspiring leaders: “No matter how well you plan things,
sometimes they go wrong, but your ability to bounce back and
move forward is what will make you a strong leader. Keep persevering.”
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