Our Growing team of Consultants and Professionals

John Cullen has spent over twenty years exclusively in this market and specialised in executive search at partner and senior management level for leading UK and US law firms. His knowledge of the legal market and extensive network of contacts across the profession have enabled him to consult with individuals at all levels to establish the genuine viability of this exciting new service.

Mark Lawrence has worked in a wide variety of senior management roles in both Magic Circle and Leading US Firms. For the last seven years he has been a management consultant in the legal sector focusing on all aspects of law firm growth, including analysis of strategic options and market developments, current performance measurement, structuring, developing and monitoring business plans, mergers and joint ventures and support management structures. Prior to his experience in the legal sector he worked for over six years in the UK venture capital space.

Mike Mather Focused on utilising the latest web strategies and ideas to develop sustainable revenue streams. With a background as a Commercial Director in European Financial Markets having run Standard & Poor's Business Unit in Switzerland for 5 years and a global team for business and commercial process trouble shooting for a Reuters company, Mike brings a wide range of business, marketing and technical experience.

Darren Orbart Having spent two years with PwC after qualifying as an accountant, Darren moved to the Man Group Plc where he established a new business venture in the Caribbean before moving back to London to take up a Finance Director position within an Operating Division. He then moved on to Shell Trading where he headed up the Risk function. After a successful period in consulting with Protiviti where he was a Managing Director, Darren worked with Nakheel in the UAE as Operations Director for Waterfront.

Ian Pearson has held senior roles over the last 20 years within Citibank, Knight-Ridder Inc, Cognotec and Spring either as a Managing Director or in a Sales and Marketing Directorship.  Highlights include creating a multi-billion $ product and service across the world for Citibank, producing market entry strategies and launching Knight-Ridder across Europe and Asia-Pacific, building up the real time information provider Cognotec to market leader (54%) and developing the strategy of Workforce Management for organisations and Career Management for individuals whilst managing the £50m accounts of Barclays and Legal & General at Spring Group plc.

Charles Hamshaw-Thomas is Principal of CSR Solutions Limited, which advises businesses and other organisations on their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Having qualified as a lawyer with Slaughter and May, practiced in Tokyo and London with Clifford Chance and spent over 17 years in industry with Hanson Plc, Beazer Homes Plc and Imperial Tobacco Group Plc, Charles has a range of experience operating at senior executive level across a range of functions (legal, company secretarial, business development and corporate affairs).

Coaching & Career Strategy Advisory Team

Sue Weston Smith qualified as a solicitor and has worked within the legal sector over the last 20 years as a lawyer, a headhunter and a business coach. Her clients include leading UK and US law firms for whom she has worked at partner, senior associate and senior management level in both recruiting and coaching assignments. Full profile

Harriet Creamer read law at Cambridge and qualified into the corporate department at Freshfields.  She became a partner there in 1991, with responsibility for knowledge management and training across the firm's international network.  She retired from the partnership in 1999 but remained with the firm as a consultant, working on a range of projects.  She now runs her own consultancy, and specialises in helping individuals achieve their potential and developing their understanding of the business and commercial skills required to reach the highest levels of the profession, through training and mentoring. Full profile

Gina Jennings read law at Bristol and qualified as a barrister of Gray’s Inn.  She practised at the Bar for seven years before joining Freshfields as a research lawyer, going on to become a consultant with the firm.  She had a wide range of experience at Freshfields, both in law and management.  These included a number of significant management and business development projects in the corporate department of the firm.  Gina now runs her own professional services consultancy with Harriet Creamer, providing management advice and helping staff to develop and realise their potential, at all levels of qualification, through focussed training and personal mentoring. Full profile

Other Team Members

Tim Cole
Mark Lawrence
Bill Best
Paul Hoban