Best Managed Firm

Demonstrating leadership

For the management team that can demonstrate that well thought-out strategies have helped a firm achieve superior returns and leadership in its chosen markets.

2009 WINNER

From left: Richard Skelley (RBS), Martin Darroch, Lorne Crerar (Harper Macleod) and Richard Collier-Keywood (PwC)

A well presented case from Harper Macleod, responding to each criteria but in particular demonstrating how actions and changes across the various criteria worked together. There was a real sense of how the way the firm is managed explains their success. The submission read as a coherent whole. The attention to internal engagement and communication was clear but so was the coherent approach to resource utilisation, client focus and geographical focus. These clearly aligned with the use of KPis, continuous improvement and performance management.

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2ND PLACE

Clearly, Farrer & Co is developing impressively. Evidence provided of a wide range of important initiatives with impressive clients and a strong team of people. Regular reporting to all staff and the development of a Management Board Blog and intranet were all positive changes as was the evidence of a range of awards earned this year. But no real strategic sense of how these changes and improvements were working together to deliver enhanced performance.

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3RD PLACE

An early adopter of the practice and sector group matrix with clear evidence of good earnings and leadership positions in particular markets. Interesting examples were given by CMS Cameron McKenna of changes in communication including a clear focus on two-way communication. Needed a recognition of how the firm tackles the issues arising out of a practice and sector matrix in order to deliver continuous improvement. Clearly they are raising performance levels but it was not always clear how they were doing so.