PATRON FOCUS
A historic firm with a modern outlook Longmores Solicitors has had a long and distinguished history in Hertfordshire, providing private and commercial clients with a top-quality service since 1819. Yet the firm prides itself on its modern, forward-thinking approach and ability to respond rapidly to clients’ changing needs. It is this philosophy that has stood Longmores in good stead through the years, one that has helped the firm grow its reputation and influence in the legal marketplace. Joint senior partners, Chris Pease and Richard Gvero, lead a modern and progressive firm of experienced solicitors who operate across the spectrum of private and commercial clients. The private work spans personal disputes, family law, residential conveyancing and employment law for employees. On the commercial side, the work covers business disputes, commercial property, rural land, employment law for
employers and a company and commercial practice headed up by Daniel Burns. This practice deals with all manner of business transactions, including mergers and aquisitions, private company corporate finance, shareholder and partnership agreements on the corporate side and a wide range of commercial contracts and advice in relation to other commercial issues such as intellectual property, IT and data privacy. Now Daniel wants to use Longmores’ Chamber patron status to maintain and strengthen the firm’s presence in the local business community.
He says: “We want to expand our horizons both within Hertfordshire and beyond. Our brand is already recognised throughout the county but we also want to use networking opportunities, such as those offered by Chamber events, to reach out to other businesses that perhaps haven’t heard of us. It also allows us to get involved more with the local community and give something back to the area that is very much a part of our identity.”
Daniel, who joined the firm last year, says: “The diversity of our practice, allows us to be resilient in these difficult times. Mergers and acquisitions have generally been put on hold so that area is quiet for us, but the employment law side is exceptionally busy as you’d expect. As a modern, forward-thinking firm, we’ve invested in technology so staff can work remotely and keep providing an excellent service to our clients.”
Operating across a wide range of business specialisms is helping to cushion Longmores against the impact of COVID-19.
Building a brighter future for all Leaving a social, environmental and economic legacy is a key cornerstone of Willmott Dixon Construction’s philosophy. The fifth generation-owned family business is well-known for its sterling work on new-build projects, including schools, housing schemes, leisure centres and hospitals, but providing wider societal benefits is just as important as generating revenues. Richard Davidson, Director of Willmott Dixon, says: “We have a purpose beyond profit; we want to improve the wellbeing of people in society beyond the buildings we create. We do this by being as sustainable as possible in different ways – by creating apprenticeships or providing work experience opportunities, for example, or by reducing our carbon footprint and protecting and enhancing biodiversity on our projects. In 2016 - 2018 we generated an estimated £2.35 million of social value in Hertfordshire alone. We really want to get involved with our local communities; this
was a key reason why we decided to become a Chamber patron last year.” For Richard, having patron status is a great business development opportunity for Willmott Dixon - but that doesn’t just mean cross-selling products and services to other members. He says: “It’s also a chance for us to engage more broadly with the wider community, to find out what’s going on and see if we can add value to other organisations, and vice-versa. Some of the small businesses I meet are driving forward some fantastic initiatives that we could get involved in – initiatives that would bring wider benefits to the community. Together, we can think outside of the box and inspire each other.” Willmott Dixon has worked on several local new-builds, including a business growth hub at the University of Hertfordshire and
a leisure centre in Harpenden. The company continues to plough ahead with other projects, although steps have been taken to minimise the impact of COVID-19. Richard says: “We’ve put extra checks in place on site and we’re practising social distancing wherever possible. It’s a tough time but it’s vital that there’s a construction industry to come back to after this virus has passed. Construction provides 15% of UK GDP and accounts for around three million jobs – or 10% of total UK employment. This industry is going to be crucial to the fortunes of the economy postCOVID-19.”
INSPIRE
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