Janet Pickavance, chief executive at Brabners Chaffe Street
What's the best thing about your job?
The variety. I can never predict – or control - what will unfold each day or what problems will land on my desk, but that’s part of the fun. I also take great joy from the firm’s continued growth and success. When I joined the firm in 1988 we were only 47 people. Now we are approaching 400 people. In my first year we celebrated hitting £1 million turnover – now that’s the target for less than 2 weeks! Through that significant growth however, I think Brabners Chaffe Street has maintained its core values and is still a great place to work.
What’s the toughest thing about your job?
Knowing when to stop and keep a work /life balance.
Who has been the biggest influence in your career to date?
My parents. They gave me a fantastic grounding based on sound values. They encouraged me to work hard and gave me the confidence to believe I could achieve whatever I set my mind to.
What has been the greatest achievement in your profession to date?
According to my mother, it was having lunch with the Queen when she came to Liverpool in May. I think it’s the only time she has boasted to her friends about her daughter’s “success”!!
Where do you see your firm in five to ten years? What are the biggest challenges you’ll face?
Going from strength to strength, I hope. The biggest challenge for any law firm will be to deal with today’s demands and issues (including constantly changing regulatory requirements) whilst keeping an eye on future developments and being agile enough to move with the market and capitalise on opportunities.
Which person outside the legal sector do you most admire?
Sir Alex Ferguson
