The Inside Track With: Pauline Rigby | Managing Partner | Forbes Solicitors
- May 24, 2023
Every month we speak to prominent professionals working in, around, and for the legal sector in the UK, uncovering their greatest inspiration, what makes them tick in a work capacity and out, and their own career paths and journey to the top of their game.
Interview with: Pauline Rigby | Managing Partner | Forbes Solicitors
WHAT HAS YOUR MORNING LOOKED LIKE?
Very productive, gym session at 5.45am, bit of breakfast, reviewed my to-do list that I prepared last night, dropped the kids off at school and have been productive in the office so far from 8.30am. It’s a Friday today and the atmosphere is lovely in the office, feels like everyone is ready for weekend!
HOW IS BUSINESS AT THE MOMENT?
Business is good, financials are healthy and there’s plenty going on around the firm from a culture perspective and also charitable perspective. The executive group are working hard at implementing new processes to create further efficiencies and increase output. We’re also in the business planning phase as we approach the end of this financial year and the start of the next.
Exciting times for Forbes!
HAS IT ALWAYS BEEN ‘LAW’ AS A CHOSEN CAREER?
Yes, it has. I did however at the start of my career wish to be a criminal lawyer, therefore qualifying as a Corporate lawyer was a far cry from my original intentions.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Landing a training contract at Forbes. Self-doubt, imposter syndrome and all those similar type issues led me to believe that the day would never come. It was a very tearful joyous day and one I’ll never forget when I found out I had been successful.
WHO WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
There are a number of people I would place into this category, my parents, my partner who is an incredible businessman, previous Managing Partners of the firm and finally and most importantly my children who inspire me every day to be the best version of myself.
WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?
I’m love a fiction book in the evening and a non-fiction audio book in the car. I’m reading “Lessons in Chemistry” at the moment which is the Forbes book club ‘book of the month’ – and a No.1 Sunday Times and No. 1 New York Times bestseller.
Non-fiction wise, I am currently listening to “Traction” on audio. Written by Gino Wickman, it focuses on The Entrepreneurial Operating System ‘ESO’ and practical advice for achieving success when running a business.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO THE START OF YOUR CAREER IN THE LEGAL SECTOR?
To have more belief in yourself and bring your true self to work.
The moment I started believing in myself and bringing my true self to work my career started to flourish.
HOW HAS THE LEGAL SECTOR CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS?
It’s changed hugely! Mainly due to advancements in technology and also in client expectations. Legal service providers also come in many different shapes and sizes now as opposed to just traditional law firms. There has been and will continue to be globalisation within the legal sector which has led to a very buoyant M&A market. Clients have become more sophisticated due to the use of technology which has led to a shift towards more client-centric approaches and pricing models.
OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT MAKES YOU TICK?
My family, I adore spending time with my family. I also love spending time with friends and getting out in the fresh air as much as possible. I’m also a keen gym goer and try to commit to at least 4 sessions in the gym a week. I find it helps me in so many areas of my life.
AND FINALLY, YOUR GO-TO PODCAST?
I’d have to pick two…Steven Bartlett “The Diary of CEO” and Boss Babe.
