Newport’s determined drive to
‘re-invent’ itself isn’t only attracting an influx of external
investors, intent on transforming the urban landscape. The
enterprising spirit of the city’s £600m regeneration programme is
also doing much to fuel the growth ambitions of leading companies
already established there.
Prominent among this vibrant new wave is law firm Harding Evans
which has been serving Newport’s residents and businesses since
1871, when the city was at the height of its powers as a hotspot of
Wales’ golden industrial era.
Despite this longevity, it is only in the past decade – and
particularly in the last six years – that the firm has begun to
experience rapid growth and see its profile and reputation develop
on a level with its larger competitors.
In the early to mid 1990s its entire
staff numbered less than 30. Today there are more than 120 as the
firm moves quickly to meet changing client demands in the local and
regional economy. It recently increased its partnership from nine to
12, and plans to expand this further to 18 by 2010. Total staff
numbers by that stage are expected to reach more than 200.
However, as managing partner, Zep Bellavia, is quick to point out,
this is not a question of a Newport legal practice seeking to mimic
its ‘big city’ counterparts in Cardiff or Bristol. Harding Evans is,
he maintains, more interested in expanding by bringing the smaller
city ethos of strong and sustainable client relationships to the
wider regional and national market.
He explained: “Newport is a very individual market, characterized by
long term relationships where understanding of client needs is built
up over many years, even generations. Going forward, we want to be
distinguished by the quality of our client service and treating all
clients as we would like to be treated ourselves.”
Harding Evans has even represented one prominent Newport builders’
supplier since the 1800’s, adapting to that firm’s growth and
development over many centuries!
The law firm has responded to changing patterns of market demand by
developing a wide spectrum of specialist disciplines, for both
private and commercial clients. There are now more than 20 distinct
areas of the law delivered under one roof at the firm’s Newport city
centre base.
These range from employment law, commercial property and debt
recovery through to family law, inheritance tax planning and dispute
resolution.
The firm’s twin-tracked strategy has been to become more competitive
by using technology and better processes to streamline the delivery
of high volume work, such as conveyancing, while at the same time
expanding its capability to deliver specialist high value commercial
work.
Economic vibrancy in Newport and across South East Wales is expected
to fuel both sides of this strategy, for example as more homes are
built and change hands and more business comes to the regenerated
city.
In order to continue delivering the best service possible to clients
the firm regularly strengthens its team through a combination of
training new lawyers and recruiting big-hitting specialists from
high profile practices in Cardiff and elsewhere.
Not many years ago Newport’s poor image made it difficult to attract
such accomplished professionals. Now that’s changing, thanks in part
to the city’s regeneration plans, said Mr Bellavia.
He added: “Top quality people are also drawn to a smaller but
growing firm like ours because they know they will have the
opportunity to make much more of an impact than within a larger
firm. We also offer a better work-life balance than they have
experienced elsewhere. That’s good for both staff and clients.”
The same trend is reflected in the quality of new entrants. More
than 200 well-qualified graduates routinely apply for the handful of
trainee places available each year, allowing Harding Evans to
cherry-pick the brightest and best.
The firm’s managing partner believes Newport has the ability to
develop a strong business services sector as the city’s reputation
grows and becomes a better platform for existing and new
professional firms to sell their services to wider regional and
national markets.
Harding Evans has already shown the way to other service firms in
the city. Thanks to its enterprising approach over the past six
years, it has now become the eighth largest law firm in Wales and in
2004/05 earned the prestigious accolade “Welsh Law Firm of the
Year.”
