Professional Practices Alliance (PPA)

Professional Practices Alliance (PPA)

A podcast series from the Professional Practices Alliance (PPA), a multi-disciplinary collaboration between leading independent firms, advising professional services firms on partnership and employment law, partner remuneration, strategy, tax, accountancy and compliance issues. Subscribe to our podcasts where we discuss the key issues impacting professional services firm. For further information, please visit https://www.professionalpracticesalliance.com/

  1. 06.09.2023

    Moving the ESG Needle for Law Firms - Deciding What Matters and What Can Be Achieved

    We are delighted to share with you the recording of the recent Professional Practices Alliance webinar, Moving The ESG Needle For Law Firms – Deciding What Matters And What Can Be Achieved, in which our expert panel discuss how professional practices priorities are shifting regarding ESG.  In this webinar, our chair Andrew Pavlovic, (CM Murray LLP), Rob Millard (Cambridge Strategy Group), Zulon Begum (CM Murray LLP) and Sarah Chilton (CM Murray LLP) discuss the following: Materiality – how firms should determine their priorities when it comes to ESG, as firms move away from focussing on their own emissions and are now increasingly considering the environmental impact of their client work  Stakeholders - the importance of identifying key stakeholders and carefully considering and incorporating their interests into your ESG strategy  Client Selection - taking a nuanced approach when considering whether or not to act for clients whose ESG-related aims and values may not wholly align with that of your firm, balancing business needs, the concept of access to justice, and whether firms can use their expertise and experience to mitigate any potential negative impacts of their advice  Remuneration - the increasing shift towards incorporating elements of non-financial performance (i.e. alignment with and adherence to firms’ ESG-related policies) into partner assessment and remuneration policies  Risk Management - the risk of discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010 where, for example, a member of staff is treated less favourably and/or harassed because of their beliefs on climate change If you would like to discuss any of the above issues in further detail, please contact Partner, Andrew Pavlovic, who specialises in regulatory law and professional discipline matters for firms and partners.

    54 мин.
  2. 29.06.2023

    Is Your Firm prepared for the Financial Year Ahead? Key Trends and Challenges for Professional Services Firms in 2023/24

    We are delighted to share with you the recording of our recent webinar, ‘Is Your Firm prepared for the Financial Year Ahead? Key Trends and Challenges for Professional Services Firms in 2023/24’, in which our expert panel discuss the financial year ahead for professional services firms. In this webinar, you can hear from Chair, Corinne Staves (CM Murray LLP), and speakers Robert Millard (Cambridge Strategy Group), David Shufflebotham (Pep Up Consulting) and Andrew Pavlovic (CM Murray LLP) as they discuss the following issues to include in professional service firms ‘to do’ list for the next financial year:  How to remain profitable and effectively manage the firm’s cash flow at a time of stalled economic growth, inflation, cost of living crisis and basis period reform. Implementing a strategy and the importance of having a Plan B strategy, especially during a time where firms are adapting to deliver client services in a new technological era. How to maintain and enhance a firm’s culture and productivity in a hybrid working environment, including the impact that long-term hybrid working may have had on a firms culture. Key regulatory developments and the practicalities surrounding how to approach them, specifically the new SRA regulations to address toxic work environments by actively challenging behaviours in the workplace. Whether ChatGPT could spell the end of lawyers or whether it can be harnessed to improve service delivery and profitability of firms. The potential regulatory issues that arise from using new technology (such as Chat GPT) to assist with delivering client services. The increasing need for professional service firms to address environmental issues. If you would like to discuss any of the above issues in further detail, please contact Partner, Corinne Staves, who specialises in partnership issues for firms and partners.

    57 мин.
  3. 08.08.2022

    The Greater Good; How Professional Firms Are Embracing B Corp Status, ESG & Other Non-Profit Making Objectives

    There is increased pressure on professional firms to enhance their social engagement and sustainability. Thus, it is important to consider what measures professional firms should undertake to assess their impact performance on stakeholders and subsequently improve it. We are delighted to share with you the recording of our recent webinar, ‘The Greater Good; How Professional Firms Are Embracing B Corp Status, ESG & Other Non-Profit Making Objectives’, in which partnership law specialists and sustainability management experts discuss the importance of promoting accountability and transparency to a wider group of stakeholders along with environmental, social and corporate governance and how this can be achieved within professional firms. In this webinar, you can hear Chair Rob Millard, (Cambridge Strategy Group), and speakers Emma Bartlett, (CM Murray LLP), Dr John Henry Looney, (Sustainable Direction Ltd) and Corinne Staves, (CM Murray LLP) discuss the following: What is B Corp and how can professional firms achieve certification? The strategic thinking behind the implementation of ESG and other non-profit making objectives. The importance of driving diversity and inclusion from the top and its impact on staff retention rates.  Box-ticking exercise vs the true meaning of sustainability: The need for professional firms to consider adopting a proactive approach toward accountability and to implement high business standards for the benefit of their stakeholders and wider community. The impact of client base on professional firms’ commitment towards sustainability has dramatically increased, with some clients refusing to engage with the firms that have inadequate measures in place. The difference between accountability obligations in companies and LLPs and how to ensure that professional firms achieve full visibility on their commitment towards the greater good. We are delighted to invite you to join the Professional Practices Alliance LinkedIn group, a collaborative networking and information sharing space for professional services firms. Join our LinkedIn group here. Follow us on Twitter: @PartnershipAlln  Subscribe to the Professional Practices Alliance blog here.

    41 мин.
  4. 17.07.2022

    “Should we merge?” A discussion on whether, when and how to merge with another firm – Part 2

    We are delighted to share the webinar recording of part 2 in the Professional Practices Alliance webinar series, ‘”Should we merge?”, a discussion on whether, when and how to merge with another firm, in which an expert panel explores how firms should plan and prepare for a merger. Please see below for full details. In this webinar, you can hear Chair, Corinne Staves (CM Murray), Robert Millard (Cambridge Strategy Group), David Fisher (CM Murray LLP), Zulon Begum (CM Murray LLP), David Shufflebotham (Pep Up Consulting) and Andrew Pavlovic (CM Murray LLP) discussing issues such as: How does the SRA view mergers and whether there are any concerns around confidentiality and conflicts of interest. Whether a merger is really about two firms merging, or whether it is about creating a new, more successful firm. How do you persuade and reassure the workplace on the major upheaval causes by a merger? Understanding why it is important to have your finger on the pulse in understanding your partners and what decisions they will make upon a proposed merger. What should firms be focused on post-merger? The importance of emphasising the positives of the merger and why it is a good decision for the firm. Key factors to be considered in assisting fee earners with a dip in revenue during a merger. If you have any questions arising from this recording or would like to discuss law firm or other professional services mergers, or for any other partnership law issues, please contact our Partner and Head of Non-Contentious Partnership Practice, Zulon Begum. The Professional Practices Alliance is a multi-disciplinary collaboration between leading UK independent legal, accounting and law firm management specialist advisers, CM Murray LLP, Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP, Pep Up Consulting and Cambridge Strategy Group.  We are delighted to invite you to join the Professional Practices Alliance LinkedIn group, a collaborative networking and information sharing space for professional services firms. Join our LinkedIn group here. Follow us on Twitter: @PartnershipAlln  Subscribe to the Professional Practices Alliance blog here.

    58 мин.
  5. 08.07.2022

    “Should we merge?” A Discussion on whether, when and how to merge with another firm

    We are delighted to share the webinar recording of Part 1 in the Professional Practices Alliance webinar series, “Should we merge?” A discussion on whether, when and how to merge with another firm in which an expert panel explore how firms should plan and prepare for a merger. In this webinar, you can hear Chair, Corinne Staves (CM Murray LLP), Partner Zulon Begum (CM Murray LLP), Simon Slater (Guest Speaker, Cripps Pemberton Greenish and Byfield Consultancy), Giles Murphy (Guest Speaker, Smith & Williamson) and Rob Millard (Cambridge Strategy Group) discussing issues such as: Mergers are usually the riskiest growth strategy – are there other (less disruptive) routes (e.g., organic growth, lateral hiring) to realising the firm’s strategic goals? Identifying the right merger partner can take time and diligence and requires compromise as there is never a “perfect” merger partner. How to “win hearts and minds” to align partners with any merger strategy early in the process and ensure that the requisite partner approvals for any merger can be achieved. Advance preparation for a merger can make or break a deal; identify any “red lines” in advance and keep these to a minimum, and undertake “reverse due diligence” to identify any potential issues in your own firm and attempt to resolve these before they become a stumbling block to a merger (e.g., onerous annuities, adverse claims history/high PII costs, underperforming partners and expensive borrowing/leases). Consider what protections may need to be built into the merger agreement and/or the merged firm’s partnership agreement to ensure stability for the initial period after the merger, when firms are often at their most vulnerable e.g., a partner “lock-in” period, enforceable restrictive covenants and good/bad leaver provisions. If you have any questions arising from this recording or would like to discuss law firm or other professional services mergers, or for any other partnership law issues, please contact our Partner and Head of Non-Contentious Partnership Practice, Zulon Begum. The Professional Practices Alliance is a multi-disciplinary collaboration between leading UK independent legal, accounting and law firm management specialist advisers, CM Murray LLP, Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP, Pep Up Consulting and Cambridge Strategy Group.  We are delighted to invite you to join the Professional Practices Alliance LinkedIn group, a collaborative networking and information sharing space for professional services firms. Join our LinkedIn group here. Follow us on Twitter: @PartnershipAlln  Subscribe to the Professional Practices Alliance blog here.

    55 мин.
  6. 22.05.2022

    Partner Performance Management and Remuneration Systems: Under-Rewarded High-Flyers and Over-Rewarded Under-Performers

    There are many ways of dealing with the dual challenges of under rewarded high flyers and over rewarded under performers. Making sure that reward and performance systems are right is critical to the growth strategy of a firm. In the first webinar of the Professional Practices Alliance Growth Strategy Webinar series, Chair Zulon Begum, (CM Murray LLP) and expert panel, Beth Hale (CM Murray LLP), David Shufflebotham (Pep Up Consulting) and Corinne Staves, (Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP), share their experiences and top tips for dealing with under-rewarded high flyers and over-rewarded under-performers. The webinar discusses: Partner performance management and remuneration systems The practical steps to dealing with these issues in the short to medium term Structural issues that may need to be addressed in the medium to long term The culture of a firm and how this may affect partner performance Three key factors firms need to consider when dealing with partner performance management are: Putting in place structures to identify performance issues How adapting partnership documentation and profit allocation systems might help The culture of the firm and other factors that may influence partner performance Identifying issues: It is important for partner performance to be evidenced and well documented. Firms should also ensure that decisions are data driven. Partnership documentation: Firms should consider adapting their constitutional documentation to ensure there is a clear framework in relation to renumeration provisions to help firms achieve their objectives, while also retaining flexibility. Culture: It is important for firms to have a remuneration and reward framework in place which is aligned with the culture of the firm. If you have any questions arising from this recording or would like to discuss Partner Performance Management and Remuneration Systems; Under-Rewarded High-Flyers and Over-Rewarded Under-Performers or for any other partnership law issues, please contact Partner Zulon Begum or Managing Partner Clare Murray.

    57 мин.
  7. What might the Future hold for Law and other Professional Services Firms?

    09.11.2021

    What might the Future hold for Law and other Professional Services Firms?

    We are delighted to share with you the recording of our recent Professional Practices Alliance (PPA) webinar on 'What might the Future hold for Law and other Professional Services Firms?', in which our expert guest speakers from the Law Society of England and Wales (LSE&W) discuss the future of Law and Professional Services firms based on the findings of their recent research into changes and uncertainties in the legal profession in England and Wales over the next 30 years, through the lens of global trade and competition.  Rapid technological developments have made, and will continue to make, a significant impact on professional service firms by changing the way in which they devise new business models, replace distribution channels, and modify and adapt the way people and businesses interact with each other. Everybody has an opinion about how professional services are evolving, and how “firms of the future” might be different to those of today. In the legal sector, which is arguably less ‘transformed’ than some of the other professions so far, many firms view this topic with some trepidation. In this webinar recording, we look at whether artificial intelligence (AI) will actually replace lawyers and, if so, are there ethical or moral dilemmas that should be considered regarding AI and the legal industry? In this webinar, you can hear Chair, Rob Millard, Director of the Cambridge Strategy Group and speakers, Dr Tara Chittenden and Dr Kion Ahadi, of the Law Society of England & Wales, discuss issues including the following: · How potential future change will have an impact on diversity and inclusion, particularly in more senior positions; · How Generation Z have begun to reshape global politics as we see a generational shift in allegiance and identity; · Whether the rise of machines will free up time vs threaten jobs; and · How, according to research carried out by LSE&W, it is expected that, by 2030, the workforce in the legal sector, including lawyers and legal support staff, will reduce by half. Join the Conversation We are delighted to invite you to join the Professional Practices Alliance LinkedIn group, a collaborative networking and information sharing space for professional services firms Visit and subscribe to the PPA blog here. Join our LinkedIn group here. Follow us on Twitter: @PartnershipAlln

    40 мин.

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A podcast series from the Professional Practices Alliance (PPA), a multi-disciplinary collaboration between leading independent firms, advising professional services firms on partnership and employment law, partner remuneration, strategy, tax, accountancy and compliance issues. Subscribe to our podcasts where we discuss the key issues impacting professional services firm. For further information, please visit https://www.professionalpracticesalliance.com/