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The Legal 500 Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession. In the United Kingdon, the criteria for entry is to have been recognised by The Legal 500 as one of the elite leading lawyers for eight years. These partners are highlighted below and throughout the editorial.
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United Kingdom > North West > Human resources > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings
Index of tables
- Addleshaw Goddard (Manchester)
- Brabners LLP (Liverpool, Manchester, Preston)
- DLA Piper UK LLP (Manchester, Liverpool)
- DWF (Liverpool, Manchester)
- e3 employment law LLP (Manchester)
- Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (Manchester, Liverpool)
- Gateley Plc (Manchester)
- Hill Dickinson LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Squire Patton Boggs (Manchester)
- Weightmans LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Aaron & Partners LLP (Chester)
- DAC Beachcroft LLP (Manchester)
- Kuit Steinart Levy LLP (Manchester)
- Myerson Solicitors LLP (Altrincham)
Pannone Corporate LLP(Manchester)
Analysis Legal LLP(Cheshire)
- gunnercooke LLP (Manchester)
- JMW Solicitors LLP (Manchester)
- Law by Design LTD (Manchester)
- Mills & Reeve LLP (Manchester)
- Pinsent Masons LLP (Manchester)
- SAS Daniels LLP (Stockport)
Chambers O'Neill(Chester, Manchester)
Forbes Solicitors(Blackburn, Preston)
HRC Law LLP(Manchester)
Hillyer McKeown(Chester)
- Martin & Co (Manchester)
- TLT (Manchester)
Bramhalls Solicitors(Wirral)
- Browne Jacobson LLP (Manchester)
- Clarke Willmott LLP (Manchester)
- Gorvins Solicitors (Stockport)
- KBL Solicitors LLP (Bolton)
Linder Myers(Manchester)
Napthens LLP(Blackpool, Preston)
- Shoosmiths LLP (Manchester)
Slater Heelis LLP(Sale)
- Slater and Gordon (Manchester)
Backhouse Jones(Clitheroe)
Baines Wilson LLP(Lancaster)
Bermans(Liverpool, Manchester)
DTM Legal LLP(Chester)
- Hibberts LLP (Nantwich)
- MLP Law LLP (Altrincham)
Nexus Solicitors Limited(Manchester)
- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Manchester)
- Stripes Solicitors (Manchester)
- Taylors (Blackburn)
- Trowers & Hamlins LLP (Manchester)
- Ward Hadaway (Manchester)
Hall of Fame
Leading individuals
- Michael Ball - Gateley Plc
- Dan Bickerstaffe - e3 employment law LLP
- Nick Campbell - Brabners LLP
- Alan Chalmers - DLA Piper UK LLP
- Paula Cole - Squire Patton Boggs
- Kerren Daly - Browne Jacobson LLP
Karen Fletcher -
Analysis Legal LLP
- Jamie Hamnett - Addleshaw Goddard
- Nick Jones - e3 employment law LLP
Anna Lees -
Analysis Legal LLP
- Kevin McKenna - Kuit Steinart Levy LLP
- John Martin - Martin & Co
- Sue Morrison - Law by Design LTD
- Simon Ost - e3 employment law LLP
Andrea Paxton -
Analysis Legal LLP
- Malcolm Pike - Addleshaw Goddard
- Kirsty Rogers - DWF
- Michael Thompson - Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
- Alison Treliving - Squire Patton Boggs
Next generation lawyers
- Charlotte Gilbert - Myerson Solicitors LLP
- Emma Mills - DLA Piper UK LLP
Rehan Pasha -
Bramhalls Solicitors
Find out which law firms are representing which Employment clients in North West using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact email@example.com.
Addleshaw Goddard fields a 'personable and approachable team that takes the time to build relationships with clients', and which is praised for its 'excellent and commercial advice'. Key figures include Malcolm Pike, who is 'a superb all-round employment lawyer'; and Jamie Hamnett and associate Tessa Harland, who provide 'sound, timely and commercial advice'. The team acts for a significant number of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 businesses and for a number of key regional employers, with an emphasis in the retail, transport, financial services and industrial sectors. The group recently defended Flowserve in a race discrimination claim, which reached the Court of Appeal. Other highlights for the 'superb' team included advising on the restructuring of the treasury team within the head office of a well-known plc, which resulted in the exits of two very senior employees. Key clients include British Airways, BP, Primark, National Grid and Wolseley.
Brabners LLP has 'retained the ethos of client care associated with a smaller firm while leveraging the support that being part of a larger corporate firm provides'. Key members of the 'excellent and balanced team' include the 'very thorough and talented' Nick Campbell, who heads the team in Liverpool, the 'extremely knowledgeable' Paul Chamberlain, who heads the practice in Manchester, and the 'very professional' Andrew Cross, who is 'great with clients and gives straight answers'. Senior associates Paul Ryman and Chris Pavlou are ones to watch; the 'friendly' Pavlou 'fiercely fights his clients' corner extremely well'. The team has particular expertise in employment tribunal litigation, in addition to providing high level support on acquisitions, disposals, mergers and business reorganisations. It also acts for senior executives advising on various contractual matters in addition to termination arrangements. Lydia Edgar led the advice to a rugby association on the introduction of a new standard players' contract for the professional game. The team is also acting for a senior executive in potential claims of whistleblowing, unfair dismissal and other serious breaches of contract. Other key clients include AXA, JD Wetherspoon, and new client wins such as Alexander Wang, Travelodge Hotels and LK Bennett.
Alan Chalmers heads the 'top-notch' team at DLA Piper UK LLP, which attracts praise for its ability to 'distil complex legal arguments into plain English'. Legal directors Emma Mills, who is 'responsive, knowledgeable and widely experienced in all aspects of employment law', and the 'highly intelligent and practical' Helen Hall are ones to watch; Chalmers is recommended for his wide-ranging advice to high-profile clients in the public and private sectors, covering executive severance and other complex issues including industrial relations and redundancy payments. In an illustration of its ability to leverage the firm's considerable international reach, the team advised a client on the review of the vetting procedures for the recruitment of personnel in 23 jurisdictions. In a showcase if its skill in complex discrimination claims, the team defended high-profile publicly funded body in a potentially high-value Employment Tribunal claim of sex and race discrimination brought by an unsuccessful job applicant. Other clients include the Co-Operative Bank, Trinity Mirror Group, Akzo Nobel and Canon (UK and Europe).
DWF has an 'excellent team that provides clear and straightforward advice'. The 'extremely client-focused and responsive' Joanne Frew 'builds incredibly close relationships with her clients and works tirelessly to secure the best outcome'. Frew now heads the team in Manchester, while Andrew Chamberlain heads the national employment team. Kirsty Rogers ('great with clients') and Jon Keeble ('proactive and supportive') are also recommended. The team has considerable cross-border capabilities, in addition to significant sector expertise in retail, food and leisure, education, outsourcing. It has also been appointed to a number of major insurance panels. The practice has been retained by Capita for all its HR and employment work and routinely advises it on restrictive covenant and injunctive matters. Following a competitive tender process the group was one of two firms appointed to Wincanton's panel for employment work. Other clients include Adidas and Lime Pictures. Philip Harman has joined DAC Beachcroft LLP.
e3 employment law LLP is an 'outstanding' niche employment practice that 'puts the client at the heart of everything it does by providing timely, well informed, considered and practical advice'. The three-partner practice is praised for its 'attentive and personalised service; it robustly defends claims and provides strong litigation support to clients when needed'. Standout individuals include the 'very experienced and tenacious' Nick Jones, who is 'great with clients'; the 'very friendly, technically able and extremely responsive' Dan Bickerstaffe, who is singled out by clients for his 'total commitment'; and Simon Ost, who is noted for his 'tremendous ability to translate complex matters into an easily understandable format'. The 'exceptional practice' advises clients such as Thomas Cook, Big Easy Restaurants and Mexichem UK on the full spectrum of employment matters, with considerable experience in complex employee change programmes, sensitive high-value litigation and other matters such as board-level disputes and international employment matters. Highlights included advising an international pharmaceuticals company on a contested restrictive covenant dispute and defending it against a claim by a former employee that he had been dismissed for whistleblowing.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's team is headed by the 'truly excellent' Michael Thompson, 'one of the most brilliant employment lawyers around; he can distil the most complicated matter into a simple form that clients can easily understand'. Thompson specialises in executive terminations, restrictive covenants and reorganisations, and is ably supported by Peter Norbury, who is experienced in industrial relations matters and employment tribunals; Diane Gilhooley, who leads on education-sector mandates; and Naeema Choudry, who has a particular focus on discrimination and executive termination matters. The team was further strengthened by the addition of Mark Hammerton from Clyde & Co LLP. Recent work includes handling a long-running dispute in which a former employee has been seeking to establish the right to a survivor's pension for his civil partner, and advising the employees of a university in the North of England on the immigration implications of Brexit. Clients include Warburtons, Speedy Hire, United Utilities and EDF Energy.
The 'vastly experienced' Michael Ball heads the employment practice at Gateley Plc and has a 'great reputation' for work in the retail and leisure sectors. He is regularly called on to advise on the TUPE aspects of business sales and service provision changes, together with large-scale restructuring and harmonisation programmes. Ball is ably assisted by Chris Thompson, who routinely advises on the employment aspects of corporate and commercial transactions and is an accomplished tribunal advocate; and Stephen Hills, who is particularly strong on trade union matters with an emphasis on contentious work such as unfair dismissal, redundancies, executive severance and other issues such as discrimination. The department's clients include household names such as Halfords Autocentres, TUI Travel, Ladbrokes, Swinton Insurance and Chubb, as well as new clients Integral Medical Holdings and Evans Cycles.
Clients of Hill Dickinson LLP 'always feel confident in the advice provided by the team, which gives 100% at all hours of the day'. The 'pragmatic' Philip Farrar 'consistently provides work of the highest quality; he has a wealth of experience in NHS matters and this shows in the advice he provides on complex, politically sensitive and potentially serious reputational issues'. The 'commercially astute' team advises blue-chip clients such as Astra Zeneca UK, BBC and the University of Chester Academy Trust, in addition to many of the region's largest public sector organisations. Jeff Middleton routinely advises on senior executive appointments and terminations, while Luke Green has considerable strength in the education sector. Also recommended are Kerstie Skeaping, who has a broad range of employment experience and is a tribunal advocate, and Daniel Rubin. Highlights included advising a trust in a professional misconduct case involving a consultant surgeon.
The team at Squire Patton Boggs stands out for its 'willingness to find solutions; it is incredibly professional, very much in tune with the customers' needs and actively goes out of its way to understand the challenges that face its clients'. The 'immensely experienced' Alison Treliving heads the practice, which includes Bryn Doyle, who 'is a role model of what a client partner should be', according to one client. Paula Cole and senior associate James Pike are 'highly competent, give sound advice and always actively and fiercely pursue the clients' best interests'. The team has a particular focus on high-end strategic change projects and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employees) work, regularly acting for global and regional corporates such as Superdrug and Mamas and Papas. The group has a host of sector specialisms with a core strength in retail in addition to considerable expertise in recruitment, manufacturing, engineering and higher education.
Weightmans LLP fields a number of standout individuals, including Mark Leach, who is 'extremely quick and commercial'; consultant Martin Edwards and Emlyn Williams, who are both rated as 'knowledgeable, experienced and technically excellent'; Mark Hatfield, who is well regarded for his work in discrimination law; and Stuart Jones, who has particular strength in TUPE, reorganisations and collective issues. The team has strength in the public and private sectors, with particular capabilities in social housing and healthcare. Clients include Thomas Cook, Mersey Travel and Swissport. The firm recently defended a client in a claim brought by a senior manager alleging unfair dismissal and a number of other claims under the Equality Act. In another highlight it successfully represented its client in Employment Tribunal proceedings brought by several former nurse employees who were not retained with a new healthcare provider.
Headed by the 'vastly knowledgeable and experienced' Helen Watson, Aaron & Partners LLP's team is praised for its 'no-nonsense approach'. Watson has wide-ranging experience in contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including TUPE disputes and discrimination and harassment cases, and undertakes her own advocacy in addition to being an accredited mediator. Other key team members include Claire Brook, who attracts praise for providing 'appropriate advice that is tailored to clients' needs'; she has been leading the general employment advice to a global provider of computer skill games and amusement arcades for theme parks – the client operates in 15 countries and employs 1500 people in peak season. The team has also been busy advising clients such as NWF Group on diverse matters such as exit negotiations, redundancy advice and tribunal representation.
Clients of DAC Beachcroft LLP are quick to highlight 'the quality of its advice and the consistency and depth within the team'. The 'outstanding' Deborah Hely is nored for her 'very commercial approach; she provides workable solutions even in the most complex cases'. Also recommended are solicitor Nicola Sherry, who attracts praise for her 'ability to analyse complex issues with ease and skill', and the 'sensible and commercial' Philip Harman, who joined from DWF. The group acts for some of the largest transport and logistics companies, including Royal Mail and DHL, and has a large retail and leisure centre client base that includes McDonald's and Whistles. It also acts for a number of NHS trusts is the sole employment law provider to UK Mail and Arcadia Group.
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP provides a 'top-end service at a rate that represents an immense saving'. The 'organised, efficient, diligent and knowledgeable' team is headed by Kevin McKenna, who can 'work consistently well under pressure and whose advice is always focused and considered; he can explain complex legal issues plainly without obfuscation'. Sally Bird is also recommended. The team's wide-ranging expertise encompasses corporate transactions and employment litigation, and it is developing an 'excellent reputation' for its work with senior healthcare professionals, as well as for work on behalf of high-profile, international sports professionals. Notable clients include Maersk Line UK and GG Hospitality (a venture founded by former professional footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs).
Myerson Solicitors LLP is praised for its 'fantastic speed of response and constructive, helpful and pragmatic advice delivered by a team that clearly knows its stuff'. Joanne Henderson and Joanne Evans 'always go the extra mile to find the right solutions'; Evans is skilled at advising on a broad range of issues, from complex reorganisations and large-scale redundancies to collective consultations and trade union disputes. Henderson has a wealth of experience in all areas of employment law, from TUPE and multi-party actions to complex whistleblowing and discrimination claims. 'Proactive' senior solicitor Charlotte Gilbert is appreciated for her ability to 'separate the wheat from the chaff amongst the legal jargon'. Clients include National Nuclear Laboratories, Blackpool FC and Eastern Airways.
Pannone Corporate LLP 'provides pragmatic and succinct advice in a cost-effective way'. Key contacts Jack Harrington and Fiona Hamor have a 'very detailed knowledge of employment law, are very patient and very solutions-driven'. Senior associate Stephen Mutch advised on the employment aspects of the sale of the companies responsible for running the Parklife and Warehouse Projects events (two of the largest Manchester-based live music festivals), which involved handling employment issues concerning the employment of a large number of seasonal staff. The practice has a strong presence in a number of sectors including social housing, public sector, third sector and retail.
Analysis Legal LLP is a growing niche employment practice that 'punches well above its weight' and which is praised for providing a 'very personalised service'. Key figures include Karen Fletcher, who 'blends technical excellence with a commercial and practical approach'; Andrea Paxton, who 'gives 100% to her clients and provides thorough and innovative solutions'; and the 'über-commercial' Anna Lees, who 'will always do her best for her clients and is excellent at providing support throughout the litigation process'. Also recommended are 'very diligent' consultant Joanne Alvey and senior consultant Chris McAvoy, who has 'very impressive advocacy skills'. Clients include Astra Zeneca and Georgia Golf.
Berg is praised for its 'excellent response times and great understanding of how best to manage risk'. Key individuals include 'extremely knowledgeable' team head Michelle Gray, who 'always makes herself available so you feel secure knowing that she is contactable if you are dealing with a particularly tricky situation'; and Alison Loveday, who provides 'very clear advice'. The group has particular expertise in the education, healthcare, professional services, travel and retail sectors, acting for clients such as JD Sports, Outdoor and Cycle Concepts, Resthaven Nursing Home and DBL Asset Management. It acted for Champneys Henlow on the employment aspects of the acquisition of the business assets of some companies. Kim Freeman-Smith is now at DWF
gunnercooke LLP provides 'pragmatic, commercial and accurate advice and is always quick to respond'. Simon Horsfield has a 'huge breadth of experience across different business sectors, which he is able to draw on and use to the clients' tactical advantage'. The 'very sensible' Joanne Tindall 'really knows her stuff' and led on the employment aspects of Busy Bees' acquisition of Kids First Nurseries (which operated 13 nurseries across the North East of England). The group added Bovis Homes to its roster of clients, which includes Clingen Group, Dixons Academy Trust and Leeds Federated Housing Association. Simon Robinson joined from Shoosmiths LLP.
JMW Solicitors LLP is a 'well-established unit with a strong reputation in retail'. The 'industrious' Liz Cotton leads the team – she has 'excellent client skills and is quick to get to the heart of the problem and provide client-led solutions'. She is assisted by 'very level-headed and accessible' senior associate Jennifer Smith, who is a 'very safe pair of hands'. Recent work includes acting in a significant claim for unfair dismissal, age discrimination and breach of contract in the Liverpool Employment Tribunal, and representing footballer Michael Farnan in a £1m High Court claim against Sunderland Association Football Club for breach of contract, including unpaid bonuses/commissions. The team's other areas of expertise include the recruitment, hospitality and pharmaceuticals sectors. Carl Moran moved to JWK Solicitors.
Law by Design LTD is 'is a highly innovative firm that provides a great service'. Key figures include Sue Morrison, who is praised for her 'great leadership and focused approach'; and James Upton, who is 'intellectually very able, practically very aware and totally committed to getting the best for his clients'. Also recommended are director Caroline Shafar and associate director Neal Mellor, who is 'always approachable and clear in his advice'. The firm further strengthened its healthcare-sector capability with the recruitment of Kirsty MacDonald from DAC Beachcroft LLP. Clients include Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust and National Polytunnels, the latter of which is a new client for 2017.
Mills & Reeve LLP fields a 'strong and knowledgeable team that is flexible and quick to respond'. The 'confident, knowledgeable and extremely responsive' Sara Barrett heads the team, which includes principal associate Deborah Coyne, who 'provides sound and timely advice'. It is active across a broad range of sectors such as food and logistics, and has been receiving a steady flow of instructions in the insurance sector and in the education sector, where it acts for clients such as Lancaster University. Recent work includes acting for the Global Group (the owner of several of the UK's leading music/entertainment brands such as Capital FM and Classic FM) on the acquisition of a number of festival businesses.
At Pinsent Masons LLP, team head Neil Black handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters with particular experience in TUPE issues, reorganisations, collective redundancies and strategic HR advice. Financial services, energy, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and universities are all key areas of expertise. Its blue chip-client base includes household names such as Müller Dairy (UK), Weetabix, Arqiva and British Engineering Services Limited. Ian Deakin is now at Browne Jacobson LLP.
SAS Daniels LLP 'commands respect among practitioners, opponents and clients alike', with clients singling out Jonathan Whittaker; he is 'at the top of his game and passionately cares about delivering top value to his clients'. The 'commercial and responsive' team has a particular strength in the education sector. Active clients include Bakkavor Foods, Victrex, Stockport Grammar School and The King's School in Macclesfield. Louise Carr is now at Nexus Solicitors Limited.
Chambers O'Neill's standout individuals include Jim Chambers, who has 'a wealth of experience and knowledge of employment law', and the 'articulate and courteous' Andrew O'Neill. Both individuals have 'excellent investigatory skills'. The practice acts primarily for employers but also for a substantial number of individuals, often at a senior or board level. Clients include IDG Holdings and DT Automotives.
Forbes Solicitors is singled out for its 'significant experience in dealing with public sector clients' and attracts praise for its 'invaluable advice and support'. The 'always approachable and responsive' Jonathan Holden leads the team, which includes Ruth Rule-Mullen, who is 'experienced, thorough and helpful'. It also acts for private sector clients including Leyland Trucks, Guardian Financial Services and Blackburn Rovers FC, and has considerable niche expertise advising educational establishments including Bolton School, a new client of the firm. Emma Swan joined from Knights Professional Services Limited.
HRC Law LLP fields a team 'that is very easy to deal with; it does not bamboozle you with legal speak that you can't understand'. Key figures include Simon Whitehead, who 'always provides a fantastic service and has a very detailed knowledge of employment law'; and the 'commercial and client-focused' Richard Whalley. The team has carved out considerable niche expertise in the recruitment sector, as demonstrated by its work for Transline in an investigation into working practices at Transline's client Sports Direct related to underpayment issues and other regulatory matters.
Hillyer McKeown's 'proactive, pragmatic and accessible team' is headed by Justine Watkinson, who is especially strong on the contentious side and provides 'technically accurate advice that is solutions driven and commercially sound'. The 'very professional' Lindsey Kidd attracts praise for her 'ability to quickly grasp concepts and deliver exceptional levels of client care'. The department also has strong links with local educational establishments such as the University of Law (Chester) and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Martin & Co's team attracts praise for its 'professional service and clear, prompt advice'. The principal contact is John Martin, who is singled out for his ability to 'explain complex issues very calmly and in a logical and patient way'. He is ably supported by Matthew Ainscough. The team is known for its work in the education sector and for executive terminations and complex discrimination claims in particular. Recent work includes acting for the David Lewis Centre in a claim for disability discrimination and constructive dismissal, and acting for Oldham College on a large-scale reorganisation.
TLT's team attracts praise for providing 'advice with a strong commercial bias'. The 'practical and approachable' Ed Cotton 'understands how a business needs to function; his advice is quick and accurate and enables his clients to reach their business goals'. The team acts for high-growth businesses, FTSE-listed national and international organisations and public institutions and has considerable experience in the recruitment and sports sectors. The team recently acted for a large online retail business to provide advice on employee-related issues (including executive severance issues) arising from a large-scale business restructuring.
Clients of Bramhalls Solicitors appreciate its ability to 'find the most efficient and cost-effective solution to a problem'. Philip Bramhall is praised for his 'ability to explain the various courses of action that are available, their implications and the best way forward for its clients'. Associate Rehan Pasha is 'extremely knowledgeable and detail orientated; he can work at speed, leaves no stone unturned and ensures that a business is fully protected while still adopting a very commercial approach'. The team was joined in May 2017 by John Hassells from KBL Solicitors LLP. Highlights included advising the senior management team on employment law implications arising from the takeover of the client. It also defended an Employment Tribunal claim for unfair dismissal brought by a managing director.
Browne Jacobson LLP fields an 'empathetic practice that is totally focused on the client; its strong team has talent, muscle and depth, yet still has the feel of a boutique firm'. For some, Kerren Daly is 'in a class of her own; she has the ability to effectively communicate the risks associated with any proposed strategies in a jargon-free, succinct and caring way'. The team has particular expertise in executive terminations, restructurings and high-profile and sensitive matters involving issues arising from acquisitions and mergers and collective redundnacies. Active clients include Q-Park and Kerry Logistics (UK).
Clarke Willmott LLP fields an 'extremely strong, personable and efficient' team. Emma Hamnett is recommended. The team primarily acts for medium-sized employers and also has a strong reputation for its work with senior executives. It has a particular strength in restrictive covenant and restraint of trade work.
Gorvins Solicitors has a 'strong team that cares a lot about its clients and always goes the extra mile to offer pragmatic and sound legal advice'. Key figures include experienced advocate David Walton and 'very knowledgeable' senior associate Danielle Ayres. The team regularly acts for employers in Employment Tribunal claims, as well as representing employees pursuing claims against their employers, with particular strength in maternity discrimination. Highlights included advising a large employer on the winding down of its operations.
KBL Solicitors LLP continues to act for small and medium sized businesses in addition to larger employers on the full range of employment matters. Christine Hart, an associate solicitor who specialises in advising on redundancy, disciplinary procedures, grievances and settlement agreements, is now the key contact following the departure of former team head John Hassells to Bramhalls Solicitors.
The 'clever, responsive and thoughtful' Alan Lewis heads the team at Linder Myers; he has considerable experience representing employers and senior employees on a wide range of Employment Tribunal and High Court disputes. The team regularly acts for SMEs especially in the medical and legal sectors. Active clients include RJ Gill Solicitors, National Federation of Occupational Pensioners and the National Association of Retired Police Officers.
Chris Boyle leads the three partner department at Napthens LLP, which handles the full range of employment matters, from redundancy, discrimination and harassment issues through to compromise agreements and TUPE matters. Boyle has particular expertise in the leisure and manufacturing sectors and acts for public companies, owner managed businesses and SMEs, as well as individual directors and senior employees.
Senior associate Danielle Ingham heads the department at Shoosmiths LLP, which has particular strength in the financial services, retail and leisure sectors. It advises Costco on all of its UK employment matters, including Employment Tribunal claims and business immigration matters; recent work includes defending Costco against an unfair dismissal and disability discrimination claim brought by a former employee with a severe nut allergy. Other clients include Medtronic, which the team recently advised on the implementation of new business-wide terms and conditions of employment and recruitment processes following the client's acquisition of Covidien.
Clients of Slater Heelis LLP single out the 'commercial' Tracey Guest for her ability to 'think like clients and not just like a lawyer'; and Sarah Calderwood, who has a particular specialism in injunctive relief for the enforcement of restrictive covenants and provides 'jargon-free explanations and comprehensive advice'. The 'excellent' team has extensive experience in the education sector and has a growing profile in the healthcare sector. Clients include The Seashell Trust and Manchester Communication Primary Academy.
Slater and Gordon attracts praise for its 'accurate, timely and effective advice'. Jim Lister has a 'great reputation – the calm and friendly advice he provides is invaluable'. Lister has particular sector expertise in areas such as care, construction and engineering. Clients include Academy of Ancient Music, Rootcroft and Beaverbrooks the Jewellers.
Backhouse Jones stands out for its 'first-class understanding of the transport industry'. Steven Meyerhoff provides 'great levels of service, is very confident in the court room and is someone who will do his utmost to represent his clients professionally and well'.
The team at Baines Wilson LLP provides 'prompt, informative and accurate responses'. It acts exclusively for employers, from household names to family-owned companies, sole traders and entrepreneurs in diverse sectors such as manufacturing, construction, nuclear, agribusiness and the health sector. Key figures include Joanne Holborn, who 'takes the time to understand her clients' businesses', and Tom Scaife.
The team at Bermans is headed by the 'knowledgeable' Nicky Benson, who is 'vastly experienced and very responsive', and includes Adrian Fryer. It primarily acts for SMEs in addition to a number of professional services firms and high-net-worth clients in sectors such as retail, education and social housing. Clients include Alternative Futures Group, Birkenhead School and Fusion 21.
DTM Legal LLP 'takes the time to understand our business and provides good advice'. Alison Brennan and Duncan McAllister (who is recommended for his work on breaches of covenants and wrongful dismissal claims) are both 'proactive, responsive and client-focused'. Associate Tom Evans 'exceeds expectations' and regularly advises commercial clients and senior executives on bringing and defending employment tribunal claims.
Camille Renaudon leads a department at Hibberts LLP that acts for employers and employees. Highlights included advising on restrictive covenant litigation and pre-action work for a telecommunications company, and acting for a senior executive who was facing dismissal for allegations of gross misconduct.
MLP Law LLP's team has an 'in-depth knowledge of employment law combined with an excellent understanding of its clients' needs'. The 'very responsive and commercial' Daniel Walker is praised for his experience in the fashion and retail sectors in particular and associate solicitor Gareth Matthews is 'very reassuring and does a great job'. Clients include Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin, The Belfry and Oasis Fashions.
Nexus Solicitors Limited's 'very experienced team' is led by Louise Carr, who is known for her particular expertise in representing clients in multi-day discrimination claims at the Employment Tribunal. Other key figures include director Craig McCracken, who provides 'timely and sound advice'. The department also provides support to corporate clients on a number of board disputes, senior executive terminations and other TUPE-related matters.
'A leading light in the local market' according to some, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's Manchester employment practice is spearheaded by Laura Nadel, who has an 'excellent client manner and keen legal skills. She is very bright, always pragmatic and is team spirited'. Highlights included advising NorthEdge LLP on all the employment law issues stemming from its investment in the management buyout of Belfield Furnishings.
Andrew Stripe and David Gallagher are the key contacts at Stripes Solicitors; Gallagher advises employers on issues involving redundancy and unfair dismissal and is regularly instructed by employees to handle settlement agreements. He is also skilled at conducting litigation relating to the enforcement of restrictive covenants.
At Taylors, team head Peter Byrne is noted for his 'ability to understand an issue quickly and then to respond in a straightforward manner with advice that is easy to follow and understand'. The firm acts primarily for SMEs, owner-managed businesses and senior management on a whole host of employment issues.
At Trowers & Hamlins LLP, Helen Cookson acts primarily for employers in the housing and social care fields, in addition to local authority trading companies, and is adept at advising on data protection issues linked to employment. Clients include The Brandon Trust and Bolton At Home.
Ward Hadaway's team attracts praise for its 'commercial, supportive approach and clear, balanced and concise advice'. The 'very responsive' Stephen Robinson advises on a wide array of employment matters, from workplace disputes to Employment Tribunal litigation and mediation involving unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing claims.
Employment: employee/union firms
Index of tables
Employment: employee/union firms
- Slater and Gordon (Manchester)
- Gorvins Solicitors (Manchester)
- Kuit Steinart Levy LLP (Manchester)
Linder Myers(Manchester, Preston)
- KBL Solicitors LLP (Bolton)
- Leigh Day (Manchester)
Leading individuals
Alan Lewis -
Linder Myers
- Alan Lewis -
Next generation lawyers
- Danielle Ayres - Gorvins Solicitors
Find out which law firms are representing which Employment: employee/union firms clients in North West using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact email@example.com.
Slater and Gordon is a 'leading firm for claimant work' and its team 'knows everything there is to know about claims against the police'. Clients single out Sarah Evans for her 'impeccable judgement; she is a fierce negotiator who is determined to always get the best for her clients'. Also recommended are Jennifer Ainscough, who 'really knows her stuff' on federation and union matters in particular, and Jim Lister, whose advice is 'second to none'. The team regularly represents members of trade unions and staff associations in high-profile claims against their employers, often involving complex allegations of unlawful discrimination, race discrimination, whistleblowing and collective labour issues. In addition the team is often instructed by directors of NHS trusts and local authorities. Recent work includes representing a client in a race discrimination spanning a number of years against Cleveland Police, and acting for a police inspector in a whistleblowing claim against South Yorkshire Police. Martin Price joined Knights Professional Services Limited.
Berg's clients highlight the practice's 'atmosphere of integrity and professionalism', as well as its 'clear advice'. Michelle Gray 'rigorously pursues matters on her clients' behalf in an open and honest way' and is known for negotiating exits for senior executives. The 'exceptional' Alison Loveday advises on the full range of employment matters, from negotiating severance pay for senior executives to advising on complex bonus/incentive pay matters. In a potentially landmark case the team is representing a teacher who was assaulted by a pupil at a school and was off sick for a considerable period of time; the case, which will be heard before the Court of Appeal, could have far-reaching consequences on determining how long to wait before dismissing an employee on long-term sickness absence.
Gorvins Solicitors is singled out for its 'pioneering work in disability discrimination, maternity/sex discrimination and whistleblowing'. David Walton leads the team and 'goes above and beyond to provide a high-quality service, as well as measured advice, often in very stressful circumstances'. He is supported by 'up-and-coming' associate Danielle Ayres who is praised for her 'warm, caring and supportive matter, which helps during a difficult litigation process; she always seems totally up to speed on each claim'. Highlights included acting on behalf of a large number of employees in a company restructuring, which resulted in a bulk settlement agreement.
Key figures at Kuit Steinart Levy LLP include the 'outstanding' Sally Bird, who provides 'sensible advice that balances the law with the clients' commercial needs'; and the 'professional and personable' Kevin McKenna, in whom clients have 'the utmost confidence'. Associate Lorna Rigby is also recommended. The team is skilled at handling executive terminations, advising on fiduciary duties and, and acting in high-value litigation involving claims for contractual redundancy pay, loss of bonus and share options. Recent work includes representing a client against the Ministry of Justice in a case concerning part-time worker discrimination when his application to work beyond the age of 70 was refused unlike his full-time comparator (a Circuit Judge), whose appointment continued. The London Central Employment Tribunal held that its client had been discriminated against on the grounds of his part-time status.
Linder Myers has a developing niche claimant practice that is 'going from strength to strength'. Alan Lewis is a 'leading light' who can 'analytically assess the most difficult cases and always remain focused on the big picture'. Lewis has an excellent reputation for working for directors, senior executives and individual solicitors in employment disputes with their employers. He also assists numerous firms of solicitors with their employment law issues.
KBL Solicitors LLP regularly acts for employees advising on restrictive covenants, confidentiality and other associated contractual breaches and fiduciary duties. It has also experienced increased instructions from employees pursuing claims against employers for alleged breaches of the Equality Act 2010. Christine Hart is now the key contact following John Hassells' move to Bramhalls Solicitors.
London-based Chris Benson heads a 'very responsive' team at Leigh Day that includes associate solicitor Mike Cain, who is 'outstandingly creative; if one approach doesn't work, he will try really hard to find another one that does'. The team handles the full range of employment matters for claimants and trade unions, including issues concerning equal pay, working time rights and the national minimum wage. The GMB Union is a client. The team is representing up to 20,000 individuals in equal pay claims in addition to a significant number of senior executives on matters such as favourable exit terms.
Health and safety
Index of tables
Health and safety
- Addleshaw Goddard (Manchester)
- BLM (Manchester)
- Clyde & Co LLP (Manchester)
- DWF (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Pinsent Masons LLP (Manchester)
- Squire Patton Boggs (Manchester)
- Hill Dickinson LLP (Liverpool)
Keoghs LLP(Bolton)
Osborn Abas Hunt(Manchester)
- Weightmans LLP (Liverpool)
- Brabners LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- DAC Beachcroft LLP (Manchester)
Pannone Corporate LLP
- Slater and Gordon (Manchester)
Leading individuals
Madeleine Abas -
Osborn Abas Hunt
- Kevin Bridges - Pinsent Masons LLP
- Rob Elvin - Squire Patton Boggs
- Steffan Groch - DWF
- Chris Morrison - Clyde & Co LLP
David Walton -
Keoghs LLP
Suzanne Drinkwater -
Keoghs LLP
- Erin Shoesmith - Addleshaw Goddard
- Madeleine Abas -
Next generation lawyers
- Zoe Betts - Pinsent Masons LLP
Find out which law firms are representing which Health and safety clients in North West using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact email@example.com.
Addleshaw Goddard's 'excellent team' is led by the 'extremely able' Erin Shoesmith, who is regularly called on to assist corporate clients and individuals facing prosecution or investigations by the police, HSE and other authorities. Highlights included achieving a significant reduction in the fine imposed in a matter concerning hand-arm vibration syndrome, and assisting another client in relation to an investigation and prosecution by the HSE for a breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. Key clients include Build-A-Bear Workshop, Britvic Plc and Britvic Soft Drinks and Speedy Hire. Managing associate Lee Hughes is also recommended.
BLM's team is recommended for its handling of fatal accident investigations and high-profile inquests, with a strong presence in the manufacturing, construction, public and care sectors. It's impressive roster of clients include Zurich Insurance, Warburtons and QBE. Helen Devery has 'excellent communication skills and is able to fully relate to clients from the boardroom down'. Natalie Puce is also recommended, as as is associate Nick Gianferrari, who is 'proactive when dealing with the prosecution authorities and as a result places himself in a position where he regularly secures better than expected results for his clients'.Sally Hancock is best known for her work on police and regulatory body investigations, prosecutions and inquests.
Chris Morrison heads the team at Clyde & Co LLP and is noted for his 'ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation and provide considered and measured advice'. The The team provides 'balanced technical and commercial advice, which ensures that clients are best placed to respond and protect their organisations during any investigations'. It continues to represent a company and two of its directors in a corporate manslaughter charge following the death of an employee. In another significant matter the practice successfully represented the ride operator at Alton Towers who released the carriage on the 'Smiler' ride which subsequently crashed and caused devastating injuries. Other key clients include Royal and Sun Alliance, Airbus, Asda, NFU Mutual and Sports Direct.
DWF provides 'exceptional levels of service, and its highly responsive and supportive team goes above and beyond'. Steffan Groch is 'one of the industry leaders in the sector, with a proven track record of success'. Vikki Woodfine is 'not afraid to stand up and fight for her clients'. Gary Smith 'handles sensitive matters in a professional way and remains contactable at all times'. The firm also has a crisis management service that is 'absolutely first-class; it provides exceptional support in very difficult circumstances'. The 'very accessible' team regularly acts in cases following major incidents involving issues such as corporate manslaughter, fatalities and serious injuries. The team has particular strength in the energy, retail, transport and construction sectors to name but a few and counts Premier Foods, Hovis, Cape Industrial Services and Scottish Power as clients. Recent work includes acting for a major client in a police and HSE investigation following a lifting accident, which involved an international product recall and related notification requirements.
Pinsent Masons LLP's team is 'very practical, responsive and proactive and has real experience of how to manage incidents and investigations'. The 'immensely experienced' Kevin Bridges 'truly understands what corporate clients need at the highest level'; he leads a 'very strong team' that has real strength in depth with some 'very capable associates'. Recommended individuals include 'very thorough' senior associate Zoe Betts, and associates Emma Evans ('very knowledgeable') and Gareth McManus. The retail, construction, energy, manufacturing, financial services and care homes sectors are all key areas of strength for the team, which is handling eight fatal accident cases in addition to other matters such as a corporate manslaughter investigation and matters arising out of the high-profile Crossrail construction project in London.
The 'very effective' Rob Elvin leads the team at Squire Patton Boggs, which has 'excellent knowledge and is thoroughly prepared and professional'. Elvin is praised for his ability to 'cut to the chase and put across the details of the case in an easy to understand way. He had a calming effect on our team as we were highly nervous about going into court'. The diverse practice does a large amount of complex corporate defence work and has been busy advising on a broad range of matters such as suicide in the workplace, security and terrorism related risks. Other areas of expertise include advising on accident investigation protocols, modern slavery and child safety in addition to product safety at work. It was pleased to secure some excellent new clients wins such as Joseph Gallagher and UBH International to add to its client base of household names such as the NEC Group, Clintons Cards and Cancer Research UK. Highlights included securing a favourable outcome for its client in a local authority prosecution over a landlord's responsibilities regarding gas appliances at a tenanted pub.
Philip Moy, Richard Green and the 'thoroughly prepared' Simon Parrington are the key figures at Hill Dickinson LLP, whose broad practice has considerable expertise in a number of sectors including construction, retail, logistics, and healthcare.
Key figures at Keoghs LLP include David Walton, who is 'tremendously experienced and has seen it all before; he gives realistic advice and has the ability to cut through the rubbish and identify the points of real merit'. Also recommended are Suzanne Drinkwater, who is 'experienced, conscientious and great with clients'; and Neena Sharma, who takes a 'pragmatic view of cases, gives informed advice, is street-wise, well informed and very good at her job'. Associate Heather Vyse is 'able to consume vast amounts of information very quickly' and assistant solicitor Bill Dunkerley is a 'star of the future; he is always willing to go that extra mile for clients'.
Osborn Abas Hunt is praised for its 'excellent client care and fantastic in-depth knowledge ', with clients singling out Madeleine Abas, who is described as a 'recognised expert in H&S law who strives to achieve the best outcomes for her clients'. The practice has been highly active defending organisations and individuals nationally at substantial trials, acting in appeals of enforcement notices and securing decisions of no further action for its clients. Key mandates included representing a company in a five-week trial at Wood Green Crown Court in a prosecution by the HSE following a serious accident in which a glazing operative was crushed by in excess of a tonne of glass units. Other clients include Pochins and Serco.
Weightmans LLP attracts praise for its combination of 'superb commercial awareness when advising on complex H&S matters, with an ability to give a good strategic overview which is perfectly matched with the clients' needs'. Associate Dewi Ap-Thomas is the key figure in Manchester. The team recently represented East Riding Borough Council at an inquest following the death of a motorcyclist which the family alleged occurred as a result of poor street lighting and an inappropriate approach to parking restrictions in the area. HM Area Coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
Brabners LLP's 'highly professional team' includes the 'intelligent' Lachlan Nisbet, who is praised for 'handling matters calmly'. The group is regularly called on to advise on matters arising from serious incidents, from internal investigations and discussions with the regulator, to attending PACE interviews through to acting in prosecutions by the HSE and local authorities. Key clients include Ashland Specialty Chemical Company and Jungheinrich UK.
DAC Beachcroft LLP fields a team of 'talented individuals who achieve good outcomes for their clients'. Consultant Iain Moore advises on all aspects of risk for insurers, captives and self-insureds.
At Pannone Corporate LLP, the 'very experienced' Tristan Meears-White regularly defends businesses under investigation by the HSE and local authorities, in addition to advising clients on crisis management, managing legal risk and formulating health and safety compliance and corporate governance solutions.
Slater and Gordon 'is making significant strides in health & safety', with clients singling out the 'first-class' Helen Simm as a 'very hardworking and committed lawyer'. The team represented a company and its director during an investigation and prosecution by the HSE following a fatal incident at a demolition site.
Index of tables
- DAC Beachcroft LLP (Manchester)
- DWF (Manchester)
- Gateley Plc (Manchester)
- Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (Manchester)
Leading individuals
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Senior associate Emma Morgan is a key member of the team at DAC Beachcroft LLP. The practice has strong international capabilities and regularly advises global organisations on bringing overseas nationals into the UK to work, and on eligibility to work requirements and compliance. It has also been advising on the transfer of overseas workers into the UK, on the Points Based System (including intra-company transfers) and following the Brexit vote has been increasingly advising on the status of European workers in the UK and helping employers to plan on what to do next to ensure permanency of residence for their workers. The team is particularly known for its expertise in the retail, leisure, health, education, transport and logistics sectors advising excellent clients such as McDonald's, Arcadia Group, UK Mail, Care UK, DHL and the University of Sheffield. It regularly advises Aegis Outsourcing (UK) on immigration matters and also conducts quarterly audits for the client on employee files to ensure compliance with sponsorship obligations. It also provides it with ongoing advice on visa queries. Philip Harman joined the team from DWF.
DWF is praised for its 'very speedy response times and excellent industry knowledge'. John Dorney 'manages to simplify the law and the actions that need to be taken; he is always happy to help with urgent questions and has a vast understanding of immigration laws'. The team continues to work for leading multinationals, FTSE 100 businesses, and high-profile financial services organisations in securing Tier 1 visas for wealthy investors and entrepreneurs. Philip Harman has joined DAC Beachcroft LLP.
At Gateley Plc senior associate Rizwana Ishaq and associate Heather Aust attract praise for their 'great ability to explain matters well; they work quickly and are very professional'. Aust regularly advises on compliance issues in the context of the recruitment of migrants, and the team acts for a mixture of regional, national and international clients in various sectors such as manufacturing, construction and telecoms. Highlights included supporting City Football Group with a Tier 2 General Visa for a Tier 4 graduate and assisting New York Baker Company with the appointment of a migrant role, which involved finding a suitable candidate from overseas and providing support to ensure the individual could take up the role in the UK.
At Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, principal associate and immigration law specialist Simon Kenny routinely advises universities such as the University of Manchester and companies including Community Integrated Care seeking to sponsor people from overseas to work or study in the UK. A major focus of the practice is handling immigration risk issues in the aftermath of Brexit. It advised YuMe (a US-headquartered digital advertising company) on the immigration implications of transferring staff to the UK and of extending permission to stay of those already here. In addition it advised the company on the duties of acting as sponsor to workers in the UK.
Index of tables
- DLA Piper UK LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (Manchester)
- Pinsent Masons LLP (Manchester)
- Squire Patton Boggs (Manchester)
- DWF (Manchester)
- Gateley Plc (Manchester)
- Hill Dickinson LLP (Manchester)
- Brabners LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Irwin Mitchell (Manchester)
- Shoosmiths LLP (Manchester)
- Weightmans LLP (Liverpool)
Leading individuals
Next generation lawyers
Find out which law firms are representing which Pensions clients in North West using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact email@example.com.
DLA Piper UK LLP provides 'clear and pragmatic solutions to complex problems; what sets the team apart is its clear understanding of how important it is to get a real answer and not just a long technical answer'. The firm fields a number of 'outstanding' individuals, including Claire Bell, who is an 'extremely knowledgeable partner'; Jeremy Harris, who is 'very responsive, practical and above all realistic'; and Ben Miller, who heads the team and is advising on some of the UK's largest occupational pension schemes. David Wright is now a consultant. Scheme advisory and documentation is a cornerstone of the practice, which acts for some of the largest pension schemes in the UK as well as providers of SSASs and SIPPs. It regularly advises on scheme mergers, reconstructions, scheme closures and wind ups. It also handles the pension aspects of national and cross-border company acquisitions and disposals, restructurings and outsourcings. In a recent highlight it advised the Trustee of the Royal Insurance Group Pensions Scheme on all aspects arising from the closure of the scheme through to its future accrual, which involved advising on the changes needed to the rules and on how best to communicate with the members of the scheme.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP fields a 'highly specialised, personable and diligent team that is willing to and capable of working to tight timescales', led by the 'excellent and very accessible' Ele Lovering. She is assisted by the 'technically excellent' Jon Walters, and Charmian Johnson, who is described as a 'true expert in pensions law'. Amanda Small is 'very professional and excellent at tailoring her advice to ensure that the client understands it', and Simon Daniel (both principal associates) 'handles potentially difficult situations with sensitivity, which typically contributes to a collaborative outcome'. 'Commercial and knowledgeable' legal director Sarah Lown is also recommended. The team acts for clients including Kellogg's and Electricity North West on a range of complex and high-value matters; recent highlights include advising DuPont on the closure of its £1bn UK scheme to future defined benefit accrual and the addition of a new defined contribution section. It is continuing to advise a leading water, hygiene and energy technology company on ongoing pension matters in relation to strategic pension projects, which has included advising the company on the closure of future accruals and the winding-up of its overseas pension plan (this was a cross-border scheme that was established in 2007).
The team at Pinsent Masons LLP 'combines excellent technical pension knowledge with genuine litigation experience'. The 'pragmatic and responsive' Stephen Scholefield heads the team, which includes senior associate Hayley Goldstone, who is 'tenacious and determined to get a good result for her clients'; the 'extremely well-respected' Pippa Read, who advises employers and trustees; senior associate Robert Tellwright, who is 'very well thought of'; and associate Helen Connor. Howard Ridley specialises in large buy-ins and outs, scheme changes, corporate support work and various contentious matters in particular Pension Ombudsman complaints. Highlights included advising Balfour Beatty Pension Fund on a wide range of issues, including asset backed funding and security arrangements held via Scottish and English limited partnerships, investment matters including the appointment of a fiduciary manager in a multi-billion mandate, and procedures to simplify the day-to-day operation of the fund. Other clients include Royal Ordnance Pension Schemes and Baxi Group Pension Scheme.
Key figures at Squire Patton Boggs include the 'technically excellent and sensible' David Griffiths, who acts for major corporate organisations and the trustees of their pension schemes, and Victoria Leigh whose strength lies on the contentious side and is 'very diligent at keeping clients fully informed'. The other key contact is Elizabeth Graham, who has wide-ranging experience of all aspects of pension law. The practice's expertise covers a range of issues, including corporate rescues, scheme closures and overseas pensions schemes. Highlights included advising Graphic Packaging UK on a pension scheme merger which led to a merged pension scheme in Bristol and the North with combined assets of £100m. In another matter it advised three local government scheme funds (Greater Manchester Pension Fund, West Yorkshire Pension Fund and Merseyside Pension Fund) on a collective investment pooling with a value of £35bn.
DWF has a 'solutions-driven team's that is rated for its ability to 'accommodate challenging timescales while at the same time ensuring that the work it produces is never compromised'. The 'calm and intelligent Tim Green is 'hugely in demand and is blazing a trail in the North West'. Jane Lathwood 'can handle anything with a cool professionalism that wins the delight of clients and the respect of the market'. The well-established practice has a particular strength in the retail sector and has an extensive institutional corporate client base as well as a large trustee advisory practice. It advised Morrisons on the implementation of an asset backed funding arrangement and assisted Burton's Biscuits with the pension aspects of its disposal of its Cadbury's licence. It also advised the administrator of Redcar Steel Works on the pension aspects of the closure of Redcar Steel Works.
Gateley Plc has an 'extremely professional and highly business-orientated team with excellent communication skills'. The 'friendly and practical' Patrick Kennedy is a 'lateral thinker who finds innovative solutions'. Senior associate Suresh Bhatt 'stays on top of the detail and remains calm and assured in meetings'. They make a 'very strong team whose skill set balance each other'. Clients of the practice include the Trustees of the CH Johnson Pension Plan, Motor Industry Pension Plan, the Trustees of the USDAW Staff Superannuation Fund and Stanplan F.
Hill Dickinson LLP's practice is led by the excellent Barry Gibb and includes recently promoted partner Paula Warnock. The 'timely and responsive' team has strength in advising on closing schemes to future accrual, scheme wind-ups and scheme restructurings. Highlights included advising Chester Zoo on its funding commitments to its final salary pension scheme and on its ability to renegotiate a funding agreement entered before the scheme was closed to accrual. In another significant matter it advised Carr's Group on a proposal to apportion the liabilities of an existing employer to the principal employer under a flexible apportionment arrangement.
Brabners LLP's recent recruitment of Ian Mylrea from Irwin Mitchell is a 'game changer', according to some. Mylrea is 'developing his place in the local market through excellent client relationships; he is sensible and extremely well received by all sides of the negotiating table'. The team has particular strength in the sports industry. Philip Woolham has left the firm.
Irwin Mitchell has a full-service pension practice regularly advises on matters such as outsourcing, contentious matters for major corporates, privately owned businesses, their pension trustees and individuals. It also provides expert tax advice on corporate transactions. Andrew Ashley Taylor joined Brabners LLP in September 2017.
Paul Carney at Shoosmiths LLP is 'very knowledgeable, approachable and competent'. He is well regarded for his ability to handle high-value matters on behalf of employers, trustees and public bodies. He has particular expertise in public service pension schemes. Other areas of expertise include advising on risk management, advising on scheme mergers and the closure of schemes to future accruals. He also regularly provides support to both companies and trustees with the pensions aspects of corporate transactions.
At Weightmans LLP, Mark Poulston advises clients in the private and public sectors on contentious and non-contentious matters. He has particular experience in the pension aspects of corporate transactions, as well as scheme redesign and terminations. In addition he regularly advises on life insurance matters. Jane Marshall is skilled at advising on matters that span employment and pension law, such as public sector outsourcing and pension scheme changes. Highlights included advising the Football Pools Limited on the provision of death in service benefits to employees.


text:
Ms. Bixby's Last DayBook - 2016
From the critics
Community Activity
CommentAdd a Comment
anyone have any recomendations for similar books??
A 2018-2019 Missouri Truman Readers Award preliminary nominee (grades 6-8), but suitable for as young as 3rd or 4th grade.
Three friends plan an epic last day for their teacher after she announces that she has to leave the class before the end of the school year due to illness. We learn why quirky but great Ms. Bixby is so special to the boys as the story unfolds in an adventure they will never forget when nothing goes according to plan.
If you've read "Wonder" and didn't know what to read next, I highly recommend "Ms. Bixby's Last Day."
There are six types of teachers in the world:
- Zombies, who have been teaching for centuries;
- Caff-Adds, also known as Zuzzers because they talk so fast;
- Dungeon Masters, who revel in their oppressive power;
- Spielbergs, who show movies all the time;
- Noobs, who are fresh and bright for a year or two before they burn out into a different category; and
- the Good Ones.
Topher, Steve, and Brand know this because they are the ones who created the classification scheme.
Topher's the storyteller, inventing epic narratives for most everything, which he usually ends up writing or drawing. Steve is the genius with a near photographic memory, who generally has trouble with the illogical ways of others. Brand is the sociable one with common sense who knows how to take care of things--and people. And Ms. Bixby is one of the Good Ones, who has happened to become particularly meaningful to each of the three friends.
When her cancer diagnosis not only steals Ms. Bixby away before the end of the school year but sends her to the hospital even before her planned last day, when her class was to have a party with her, the boys decide to take matters into their own hands: they skip school to deliver, as closely as they can manage, Ms. Bixby's perfect last day to her. They know from the start that it's going to be a pretty big, risky quest, but have no idea just how epic chance and misfortune will make it.
The three sixth-graders take turns telling their story, and through their narration readers come to know them deeply. They are each sympathetic, endearing, and complex, young enough to be immature and silly--the book opens with them getting chased by a classmate for telling her she has cooties ("We've run tests. She came up positive on the cootometer, all red, off the charts")--while old enough to handle some very serious things. They are entirely believable, and their story nicely balances humor, tragedy, and drama. The obstacles they encounter and the course of their adventure are equally believable. Together, those ingredients make for one highly-enjoyable, quality book.
I fell in love with Topher, Brand, and Steve. The novel switches between the three boys point of view, each distinct in character. This book will both make you laugh out loud and cry at the end. Readers will love the sometimes grotesque bathroom humor, as well as the heartwarming friendship the boys have for each other and for their teacher. It's not the last day that matters, but all of the days in between.
A sweet, sad, and funny story about friendship, family, and that one special teacher that changes your life.
Yes, you'll cry at the end of this book but, you'll also cheer and three good friends take off to visit their 6th grade teacher whose last-stage pancreatic cancer has forced her to take a leave from her teaching. Along the way, you'll see how three very different boys have had their lives changed by a very special teacher. Their efforts to show her how much she meant to them are almost heroic in their planning and execution. Ms. Bixby is the kind of teacher who may leave your life, but she will never be forgotten.
funny, not too sweet book. it would be a great read aloud for a class or parent. shows the positive impact one human (especially a teacher) can have on another human's life. enjoyed it.
Wow! This book far exceeded my expectations.
First off, I refuse to classify this one as "Young Adult", although I'm sure it will be seen as such, centering as it does on the experiences of three twelve-year-old boys. The writing is wonderful and the story is one of universal appeal. I've rarely read anything as vibrantly REAL as Anderson's portrayal of these three boys, their inner lives, their mannerisms, the way in which they interact with the world around them, each in his own unique way, while at the same time being so closely in sync with each other as only very close friends can be.
Those among us who have been so very fortunate to have been touched by one of "the good ones" will instantly recognize and embrace Ms. Bixby; the rest of us can only envy their good fortune.
QuotesAdd a Quote
"Turns out real life isn't like the movies. Life doesn't come all the way back around again. It's not a straight line either. It angles and curves, shoots off a little, twists and turns, but it never gets right back to the place it started. Not that you would want it to. Then you wouldn't feel like you had gotten anywhere." -- Topher
Three sixth-graders go on an adventure of a lifetime to give a beloved teacher a day to remember.
That's the difference between artists and the rest of us, I think. Artists know where to put the shadows.
Everybody loves a good sob story, so long as it's not their story.
I don't know why. I'm not sure if people honestly care about other people or they just want a way to confirm that they've got it better than someone else.
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subset: commoncrawl


text: Looking for someone that can watermark and submit videos for me on youtube. You will need to be able to download the videos, watermark, and upload on to youtube. I will provide the youtube accounts, description and tags. The only creativity you will need to use is with the title. Must be comfortable with adult content. Please PM me, and let me know your price for 50 , 100 , or 200 submissions.


text:
Blue Linx Holdings Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, agreed to pay a fine of US $265,000 and to certain undertakings to settle charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission that the company impermissibly inhibited whistleblowing by ex-employees. According to the SEC, Linx Holdings included provisions in severance agreements with ex-employees that prohibited them from sharing confidential information about the company learned while employed with any third party unless "compelled to do so by law or legal process." This prohibition, said the SEC, violated provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that encourage whistleblowing and an SEC regulation that prohibits any person from impeding an individual "from communicating directly with the Commission staff about a possible securities law violation, including enforcing or threatening to enforce, a confidentiality agreement…with respect to such communication." Two years after the SEC adopted this rule (SEC Rule 21F-17), Blue Linx amended its severance agreements to authorize whistleblowing, but added a standard clause requiring ex-employees to waive their right to any monetary recovery in connection with any complaint or charge filed with an administrative agency. Blue Linx agreed to add a provision to all its severance agreements expressly permitting ex-employees to file charges or complaints with administrative agencies, and to collect any relevant award among its undertakings as part of its settlement.
Legal Weeds: Both the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission have express rules that prohibit the waiver of the right of any person to file a whistleblower complaint with the agencies and receive a monetary award. (Click here to access CFTC Rule 165.19 and here to access SEC Rule 240.21F-17) Employees also may not be retaliated against for whistleblowing (Click here, e.g., to access Section 23(h)(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act, 7 USC §26(h)(1) and here for Part A to Part 165 of the CFTC Rules.) SEC and CFTC registrants and SEC-regulated publicly traded companies should review their form employment and severance agreements to ensure they are consistent with regulatory requirements regarding employee and ex-employee whistleblower rights.


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Palmer Code® Facial Shaping
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He is able to size up a patient in seconds, instinctively knowing where he could contour" – "his revolutionary face contour sculpting technique" – "Dr Palmer the advent of facial contouring signals a great victory" – "the effect is startlingly youthful" –"facial contour is the nearest thing to a miracle" – London Sunday Express
Fr Signature Palmer Code® Facial Shaping, Contouring and Sculpting
Dr Francis Palmer is a world-renowned expert on facial beauty, author and creator of multiple techniques on facial shaping, contouring and sculpting. Dr Palmer created his Fr Signature Facial Sculpting procedure based upon his years of research on beauty. This simple, office-based procedure attractively and artistically shapes facial contours. Using his impeccable artistic ability Dr Palmer shapes all layers of the face, from the skin to the bone, by removing excess fat along with adding very specific and precise volume with dermal fillers using his Beauty Volumization technique. This technique can shape the cheeks, chin, lips and jawline in just minutes. Unlike some other facial shaping and non-surgical procedures performed elsewhere, Dr Palmer's Facial Shaping and Sculpting procedure makes men more ruggedly handsome and women more stunning beautiful…it will not masculinize a female face.
Facial Shaping with Radiesse
Dr Francis Palmer's Cheek Augmentation with dermal fillers on "The View"
Dr Palmer's "Beauty Volumization"tm Treatment:
- Takes less than 10 minutes
- No Surgery
- No downtime
- No kidding
"I believe that nothing beats Experience! The most important aspect of performing Facial Shaping, Contouring and Sculpting is knowing how to precisely make male faces more ruggedly handsome and female faces stunningly beautiful and understanding the difference. A thorough understanding of facial anatomy (not just skin) is essential for an effective outcome." Francis R Palmer III MD FACS
Because beauty is more than just skin deep be sure to trust your face to a world-renowned Facial Plastic Surgeon like Dr Francis Palmer.
Defy Gravity and let your natural beauty shine through for a more youthful, naturally attractive you with one of Dr Francis Palmer's quick and highly effective non-surgical treatments. You can combine multiple non-surgical treatments for a Non-Surgical Face Lift.
Contact our office at 310-652-9583 for your consultation with Dr Francis Palmer, a highly trained and skilled Facial Shaping expert.


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Our Company
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Eastern Exterior Wall Systems: A History of Skill and Expertise
In the early 1970's, Eastern Exterior Wall Systems (EEWS) pioneered the prefabrication of exterior walls. Since then, EEWS prefabricated building exteriors mark the landscapes of city and suburban streets from New England to the Carolinas and west to Chicago. With more than 10 million square feet of prefabricated systems designed, custom-manufactured and installed, exteriors remain EEWS' primary focus today. We can create any system architecturally imagined including multiple cladding shapes and types expertly fabricated into one prefabricated system. We produce our systems from multiple climate-controlled fabrication facilities in Pennsylvania and New York totaling more than 300,000 square feet of work space.
- Our heritage is built on a foundation of building experts and trade craftsmanship continuously evolving over nine-decades in multi-trade building construction. Many members of our team are second and third generation employees. During their careers within the EEWS fabrication facilities, these dedicated artisans adapt and grow in their craft developing deeper skills in creating prefabricated wall systems. The integration of these skilled artisans working alongside those with expertise in design, technology, and general construction define our heritage and propel EEWS to the forefront of prefabricated systems.
- Our longevity is sustained through a deep concern for each customer's success, our consistency in delivering excellent products and service, and our commitment to standing behind what we make and do.
- Our business is the experienced management, planning, design, engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, installation, and support service for a wide variety of custom design prefabricated exterior wall systems providing reliable single source responsibility. We operate independently of any material manufacturer or supplier affiliations, which give our customers unlimited choices of cladding materials when working with EEWS.


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This LEGO robot can draw your portrait!
March 2013: Ladies and gentlemen, here is LEGONARDO, a LEGO portrayer robot. It is my fourth generation drawing machine. It is inspired by the work of 18th Century Swiss watch and automata makers Pierre Jacquet-Droz and Henri Maillardet. After reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret, I completely redesigned my portrayer into this shape. The name is a tribute to Leonardo Da Vinci, Italian artist and inventor. The drawings are generated by a custom software I wrote, similar to the one used for my first LEGO portrayer robot.


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buy.at Partners with AffiliateTraction; Affiliates Reap the Benefits
Two of the most prominent names in the online affiliate marketing industry are joining forces.
Global affiliate network buy.at is partnering with the performance marketing agency AffiliateTraction to offer advertisers strategic affiliate marketing solutions, bringing together industry-leading tools and technology and highly regarded account management techniques to help maximize a brand's online presence and improve their return on investment (ROI).
Both companies come in with over a decade of experience in the online affiliate industry and having previously worked with major Internet retailers, which puts them in a unique position to offer publishers a range of opportunities unmatched by many other affiliate networks and agencies. buy.at offers an extensive global reach and proprietary tools, and AffiliateTraction brings special services aimed at helping affiliates deliver results, establish long-term partnerships and introduce new niche sites to increase relevance for specific verticals.
The pairing also means that a number of popular brands are now available to buy.at affiliates, including SOCCER.com, SKECHERS, Mattel Shop and Spencer's Gifts.
Should things work out, buy.at plans on expanding the partnership into its U.K. and European markets through its affiliations with Affiliate Window and zanox.


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Follow @dredman
Brain Reboot in 2013
If you are a human, you've probably discovered that reaching your BIG PICTURE year end goals/resolutions (whatever you want to call them) are not that easy. If you are not a human…Salutations, brethren.
The fact of the matter is that the things that we intend to happen often times wont work out exactly how we expect them to. However, I've learned in the past year that if you are open to interpretation and adaptation you can still achieve what you have set out to.
The Tornado
I dedicated the year 2o13 to 'education'. I expected to further my professional knowledge depth by taking extra-curricular classes and staying more diligent in my required daily industry research. Knowing my shortcomings, deeply rooted in procrastination, I signed up for an online business class with Coursera in January. January, as to not wind up crunching a years worth of agenda into late November. Already I had felt accomplished.
After falling behind within in week 1, not completing the required study materials in week 2, and deciding that staring at my monitor was not a well matched learning procedure in week 3; I became discouraged. The required means of studying (sitting in front of a monitor after sitting in front of a monitor for 8 hours) just didn't spark any solid resolve out of me. I wanted to get better through study, I just couldn't push through the distractions. My birthday came and went, and per usual, I reflected on my lifetime of accomplishments. As the perfect storm brewed of underlying frustration and discouragement and a typical birthday reflection period, I regressed. I crawled into a hole emotionally and productively. Feeling beaten professionally, my personal life began to suffer. I caught myself caring less and less about my future, people, and the routine of it all. My unavoidable mental conversations went something to the tune of 'I'm now 34 years old, I've accomplished none of the things I've set out to, I've wasted time, I'm too good for my current professional state, the light is nowhere visible in this tunnel, and I'm no longer attractive to my significant other.'
All triggered because I failed at taking an online class (a free one, mind you).
The spiral struck like a tornado, and took me to a place I never expected or wanted to be, much like a real tornado might.
I needed to be fixed, and I needed it FAST. My year, and more importantly, my life was being turned on it's head by an unwarranted case of the blues. After a few hard and pressing conversations with my girlfriend, I decided that it was no longer solely within my capacity to tear down the obstacles that I had created for myself.
The BIG Shakeup
Sometime in June, I received recommendation from my Doctor to seek counseling from a Narrative Therapist. Narrative therapy, unlike the regular Freudian stuff, is a more non-blaming, non-diagnosis type that just picks up on the issues as they occur today and seeks to show you the reality of them out from behind the veil of false perceptions. I'm not an expert, that's just how I'd interpret it.
Unwavered by the social stigma for seeking such guidance I began to go regularly and the real education of 2013 began.
My interest in peer comparison, material objects, unreasonable expectations, and aging fear all began to slowly melt away with every hour long session. Other interests began bubbling up within me and surfaced. I built myself a desk in June, an undertaking I have never come close to tackling previously…
For me, the concept of building a desk meant more than just taking raw material and turning it into usable furniture. It was a transformative project. Over 35 hours, I planned, learned, and overcame obstacles to invigorate a sense of pride that I hadn't felt in a while. It was life affirming.
Later in the same month, I impulsively began taking Improv Comedy classes. As early as 6th grade, I can remember idolizing stand up comics and even professing that I would one day become one. Why not give it a go 20+ years later?
Improv has a really liberating effect that I can barely explain. If you're not familiar, it is a discipline of comedy that is delivered with no prior preparation of material and is driven by audience participation. Yes, just like 'Whose Line is it Anyway?'
One of the most important lessons in Improv is to develop a trust of your own instincts. If you attempt to write lines for yourself in your head, or pre-determine things you will do and/or say, you will be frustrated. It won't go as well as you hope it will, and not until you clear your mind and make yourself exceptionally present can you shine brightest. It's about listening, being attentive, and reacting with clarity of mind.
In August, I developed a new brainstorming strategy founded on principles I've had for years but never pieced together. It's been received so well by my professional peers that It's leading to exciting new business opportunities in 2014 (already rolling). Any connection to Improv there? You'd better believe it, sweet cheeks.
At the close now of 2013, I realize that though I'm nowhere near where I expected to be; not only have I achieved my goal of 'education' but far exceeded the desired outcome. When I fell off track, I tried something completely different. I'm lucky enough to have been open to those opportunities.
In September, I began to feel 'right' again. I made amends with the universe and started to understand and enjoy myself (by the help of Therapy and Improv) in a way that I haven't previously. The time was as right as ever to get engaged and seal the commitment to my then girlfriend, now fiance, that I had set for earlier in the year: That I would fix me and in turn fix us. In 2014 we'll do the wedding thing.
In February of 2014, if all holds suit, I will be performing Improv on stage in front of a live audience as a culmination of my six months of studying it. I plan to make Improv a part of my history in 2014 and continue to honor it as a craft.
January 2014 will be a kickoff for a new business partnership that is rooted by already successful peers that believe in me and have unbelievable vision.
My brain is different, better, rebooted…


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To Develop/Manufacture variety of engineered components using world class technology and get 99.99% customer satisfaction in every area of business from product development to timely Delivery schedule.
We intend to provide our customers with the best services from product development to delivery in engineering component contract manufacturing, using world class technology with a smart system oriented work. We want to be an ethical organization in which our customers, suppliers and employees feel proud to be associated.
We believe in pursuing new creative ideas and quickly adopting to new technologies and new processes. Our workforce quickly absorbs the changes.


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CLICK HERE for any issues with your order and we will be happy to address your concern.


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This month, a federal court concluded the National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM) legal challenge to one problematic provision requiring disclosure of supply chain information about the use of "conflict minerals" in manufactured products.
The NAM has had a long history of defending the rights of manufacturers against government-compelled speech that violates the First Amendment. Restrictions on commercial speech are carefully reviewed by the courts to ensure that they are narrowly tailored to achieve a substantial government interest, such as preventing fraud or deceptive sales campaigns. But the speech that was mandated by the government under this law imposed an additional burden—requiring affirmative research, investigation and analysis, recordkeeping and finally reporting to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
After several years of litigation, the federal appeals court in the District of Columbia ruled—twice—that the disclosure requirement is unconstitutional. Being forced to label a product as "conflict free" or not ethically taints and stigmatizes companies, many of which simply cannot determine the ultimate source of trace minerals from smelters around the world. Neither the government nor Amnesty International appealed this ruling to the Supreme Court, and on April 3, the trial court closed the case, declaring Sec. 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act and the SEC regulation on conflict minerals unconstitutional "to the extent that the statute and the rule require regulated entities to report to the Commission and to state on their websites that any of their products have not been found to be 'DRC conflict free.'"
Our victory in this case has been and will continue to be used to help the NAM challenge other government-mandated speech, such as shop floor poster requirements, misleading product labeling laws and excessive disclosures of third-party allegations. And yet, the closing of this case and the subsequent determination by the SEC Division of Corporation Finance that it will not recommend enforcement action to the SEC if companies file conflict minerals reporting disclosures under certain provisions do not go far enough. The NAM continues to strongly urge the SEC to consider implementing a full suspension of the conflict minerals rule.
Quentin Riegel
Latest posts by Quentin Riegel (see all)
- Seismic Changes Announced at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) - December 20, 2017
- The Value of Innovation Can Be Depressed by Litigation - October 3, 2017
- NAM's Challenge to Conflict Minerals Disclosure Requirement Comes to an End - April 20, 2017


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Her name was Fatma. They say I look like her. True. When I look at her photographs I see myself. That woman whom I know only through the photos and the grave we visit time and again was my grandmother. My mother was just 14 when she passed away. Leaving seven unattended children behind, she must have been worried about each of them.
If you knew my mother and six aunts, you would realize she needn't have worried at all. Because each one of those women has taken care of herself well. Moreover, they have become a source of positive energy for the people around them. Because they can find a laughable side in everything.
Everybody adores my mother's sense of humor. If somebody in the family or from the neighborhood needs someone to talk to that is always her. Our house has always had a guest visiting her for a cup of coffee or someone in need of being soothed over a bad experience. She is the one who can transform everything into a laughable subject over a cup of coffee. Everybody misses her sense of humor if she goes somewhere for a few days. Upon her arrival, she recounts the experience in a laughable version to the ones missing her. She is such an incredible woman.
When my mother and her sisters get together, which happens at least once a year, everybody knowing them wants to visit them or have them over to their house. Because "seven humorous women in a room " is really a view to watch. I have seen people laughing in tears many times during these occasions.
One day I asked my mother about it. How come each of them love to laugh so much and can make other people around to do so. The answer was simple: During the hard days after losing their mother to an early death they had to survive. She did not remember exactly which one of the sisters started it first but it communicated from one sister to the other. Those seven children, the eldest being 14 and the youngest one six months old have survived the hard years without the care and support of a mother. Thanks to laughing they communicated with the world around them. Then they communicated laughing to their surroundings.
Being the daughter of one of these great women I can't live a day without laughter because I have experienced the positive effect of it from the day I was born to this very day. I believe in the power of laughing because I have seven living proofs.
If you enjoyed this essay, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to This I Believe, Inc.


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With all the recent focus on Fintech in general, this post focuses to narrow down on a specific category: Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending. P2P lending is a form of crowdfunding. For example, say a company requires S$200,000 for an important expansion.There are not many Singaporeans who would be willing (or can afford) to part with such a huge sum. But over the internet, if they can find 200 people willing to lend them S$1,000 each, they'll already have the sum they need. In return, these lenders or investors receive repayments with interest from the company.
This has indirect benefits to our economy, such as boosting employment. Done right, P2P lending is helpful for all parties involved. It is quite possible that, in the next 20 to 30 years, P2P lending will replace one specific function of banks (that of giving out small business loans). In the featured article, a general explanation of P2P lending as well as some of the things to look out for as an investor are explained.


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In a world of fierce competition, the key to success could be an unsuspecting one. How can small businesses beat larger contenders while retaining strategic talent? According to Raul Cristian Aguirre, it all starts with love.
1 How did you found your business?
RCG/ "I founded Tango/04 in my living room 25 years ago, and I only recently sold it. It has become a multinational company with offices in six countries, 100+ employees and enterprise customers in more than 50 countries. Despite being much smaller, we have won against IBM, CA, BMC, HP and similar companies."
2 How were you able to beat out larger competitors?
RCG/ "You may call it affection, sensitivity or empathy. I think the proper name is 'love.' I am shocked this is not a subject of study in MBA courses and universities. It is such a basic thing in business. For us, love was present in everything we did."
3 What core values drive your business?
RCG/ "When I say 'love,' I mean baking kindness into all that we did and all that we were. It was such a simple, free thing to do to ensure we were making an impact beyond just business."
4 What are some examples of this love in action?
RCG/ "When we worked hard to solve customer problems or iron out issues, there was love. When we provided second chances to failing team members, there was love. We gave our staff and customers the best of us. We put in sincere effort when helping them out, using fairness, altruism, smiles and good faith."
5 How did you perpetuate this approach in the workplace?
RCG/ "We were always willing to listen to and help anyone, anytime. We had an open-door policy on steroids. Also, we trusted our staff implicitly. We demonstrated trust by maximizing delegation, freedom, transparency and continuous education."
6 Was there a secret to your successful implementation?
RCG/ "It was a principle. When we made decisions, money was never above people. When money is king, principles and values are usually just a poster on the wall. By putting love first, however, we were able to achieve great things."
7 How did this play out among your staff?
RCG/ "Some people didn't value this approach, while others didn't notice. Most did, though. Through this approach, our average employee tenure was 7.28 years, which is astronomical for the IT sector. We kept key talent despite several bubbles and intense headhunter attacks."
8 Do you think this approach is applicable to all entrepreneurs?
RCG/ "Absolutely. As entrepreneurs, we do not create companies— we create cultures. And a strong, empathetic culture creates its own antibodies. Those who don't share the values end up ejected sooner or later. Usually sooner."
9 In your experience, why is this approach so valuable?
RCG/ "Author Tom Peters is a long-time advocate of this approach. He claims the hard stuff (e.g., engineering, product development, finance) is soft, but the soft stuff (the human side) is really hard. I can't agree more. Sadly, love is not even on the radar of some businesses."
10 What is the biggest lesson you've learned through this approach?
RCG/ "In a nutshell, we learned that love is the ultimate competitive advantage. But profound, genuine love only comes from the burning enthusiasm of doing what we enjoy the most."
Raul is an EMP graduate and former Chapter President of EO Spain – Barcelona. He is now touring the world speaking about success and happiness. Contact Raul at
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