Case study: Supporting continued growth through strategic finance appointments

The Client

Buckles Law is a full-service regional law firm with an established presence across the UK and internationally. Following a period of rapid growth, the firm required additional senior financial expertise to support its Board and help shape the next stage of its strategic development.

The Brief

Public Leaders Appointments was initially engaged to identify an experienced finance consultant who could work with the Board in an advisory capacity, providing strategic insight and supporting the firm’s future growth.

Following this successful appointment, PLA was subsequently asked to lead the search for Buckles’ new Finance Director.

The successful candidate needed to bring the necessary financial, commercial and strategic expertise. Equally important, however, was finding someone whose leadership style and approach would complement Buckles’ culture and values, something the firm is rightly proud of and committed to protecting as it grows.

Our Approach

Although PLA is best known for its work across the VCSE and public sectors, and at the public/private interface, this assignment drew on Anna Jay’s earlier professional services recruitment experience.

Before establishing PLA, Anna worked with CML Offshore Recruitment in the Cayman Islands, where she led international legal appointments for offshore professional services firms. Combined with more than 20 years’ experience in executive and interim recruitment, this provided a strong foundation for understanding both the professional services market and the particular leadership requirements of a growing law firm.

PLA developed and delivered a targeted search and selection strategy designed to identify candidates who offered:

• Strong financial and commercial expertise
• Experience of supporting strategic growth and organisational development
• Credibility as a senior adviser to the Board
• Effective and collaborative leadership
• A clear alignment with Buckles’ culture and values

The assessment process included a range of structured conversations, interviews and exercises. PLA also engaged its associates at Talent Praxis to provide psychometric assessment.

Psychometric profiling added another valuable layer to the process, offering data-led insight into candidates’ leadership styles, decision-making, emotional intelligence and psychological traits. This helped the firm consider not only whether candidates could perform the role, but how they were likely to lead, build relationships and operate within the organisation.

The Outcome

The search generated a strong field of highly qualified candidates, giving Buckles the opportunity to make its final decision from a choice of individuals who could each have brought significant value to the firm.

Following a thorough selection process, an outstanding Finance Director was appointed, combining the required financial and commercial capability with a strong cultural fit.

The appointment strengthened Buckles’ senior leadership capacity and provided the firm with the financial expertise needed to support its continued growth and development.