Manchester based PI firm announces promotions for 10% of whole workforce as it continues to attract loyal staff who develop and progress
Express Solicitors reported a substantial round of promotions across all areas of the business this September. Some 43 staff members have been promoted, which equates to 10% of the firm’s entire workforce.
James Maxey, Managing Partner said ‘Our firm has quickly grown from a handful of people to almost 500, and I am incredibly proud to have so many fantastic employees working at Express Solicitors. These promotions are well deserved and demonstrate how committed we are to retaining and developing our people. It is important to provide all staff with clearly defined career pathways.’
Amongst those promoted are 4 Principal Partners who are all specialists in different fields of Personal Injury: Robert Weeden, (Employer’s Liability), Robin Patey, (Road Traffic Accidents), Sarah Mawdsley & Jonathan Flattery (Occupier’s & Public Liability).
Non-lawyers in the departments of Finance (John Bush) and IT (Stuart McLachlan) were also made Partner this September. John Bush, Partner (non-lawyer) said ‘since joining Express Solicitors in 2014 as Finance Manager, I have seen the firm go from strength to strength and I am thrilled to have been made a partner at such an exciting point in the firm’s journey.’
The firm has a history of promoting non-lawyer department heads to the position of Partner to show recognition of their hard work and achievements. It is noticeable that some of those promoted to Partner level started their careers at Express working within the New Client Team, progressing through the ranks over several years to the very highest levels in the business. Something that is very rare to see today in large firms.
Jonathan Flattery promoted to Principal Partner said ‘I am delighted to have been promoted to Principal Partner. Having started in the new client team over 10 years ago this completes my career cycle. In that time Express Solicitors has continued to expand and plays an important role within the sector. I look forward in continuing to work to drive the business forward.’
Angela Dobbs upon being made Partner said ‘I am proud to be part of a progressive and ambitious law firm, especially one which takes action to recognise the value of employees.’
In addition to the promotions, Express has recruited some 241 people in the past year alone as part of its rapid growth strategy, including 7 at Partner level.
The PI specialist firm have also awarded 45 new training contracts this year and have 62 trainees currently working within the firm. Mr Maxey states that ‘Express Solicitors has the aim of being the largest provider of training contracts in the UK as we recognise through our Excellence Academy that it’s vital to properly develop the firm’s lawyers of the future as early as possible.’
Express Solicitors, who say they are still recruiting heavily, report that they continue to attract a high level of interest from lawyers and non-lawyers across all areas of the business. They note that this is especially true of law graduates and paralegals who wish to join the firm due to its investment in people with the first 6 weeks wholly dedicated to training at their Excellence Academy.
Image: John Bush
