The interview: Peter Ambrose

Peter Ambrose is Director at The Partnership, a niche specialist property law firm based in Guildford, Surrey.

He is a colourful character and a good example of how a non lawyer - albeit on a smaller scale to Stobart's - can make the leap and gain a foothold in the legal services market.

1. Tell us about your company - The Partnership?

A few years ago we saw an opportunity in the legal market to provide a friendly and efficient conveyancing service, given that for most people, dealing with solicitors is not particularly high on their enjoyment list! Our approach is friendly yet professional, and always completely transparent.

That's why leading agents such as Foxtons, Marsh & Parsons, Savills, Jackson-Stops & Staff, Knight Frank, Hamptons International, Strutt & Parker, Carter Jonas and Chewton Rose suggest that their clients talk to us.

We know that clients can find dealing with solicitors time-consuming and at times frustrating so we focus on communication to try and reduce stress - where we can.

2. And how is business?

Business is absolutely booming; we seem to have tapped in a fantastic market and are currently doubling our revenues every six months which is brilliant news.   We have found that our open and no-nonsense approach to service provision is really working wonders!

3.  What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love the fact that I've got a fantastic group of enthusiastic and dedicated people, who are genuinely excited by the rapid growth of the business, and regularly get unprompted positive feedback from referrers and clients alike.

4. You were in IT and software for 15 years - why the career change?

I qualified with a law degree, but didn't really have the aptitude for actually doing the work, so worked in the technology sector for many years. It's a very tough and competitive market, with very little to differentiate between suppliers.  In the legal market, I heard a lot of complaints about service levels and responsiveness, and thought to myself - I could do better than that.  So I did!

5. What resistance have you experienced breaking into the legal services business?

Starting a legal practice from scratch is not for the faint-hearted.  We were providing Home Information Pack services across the country in the country house market, and we attempted to sell conveyancing to the same people.  Frankly it failed.  We tried for 18 months but discovered that at the top-end of the market people were very resistant to change.  Hence we decided to focus on the London market, which is proving extremely positive, and definitely the right decision.

6. Any advice for a non lawyer looking to enter the market?

Make sure that whatever you do, you employ the best people with the best qualifications and training.  Trying to compete head-on on price and employing non-skilled people will not differentiate you and there are some very strong competitors out there in the market.

7. What is your greatest personal or professional achievement so far?

Greatest professional achievement is growing this business from scratch and creating 20 jobs in just over 18 months - it's incredibly satisfying to see a buzzing office with telephones ringing and completions going through.

8. Who's been the biggest single influence or inspiration in your career and why?

My first boss, Gary Smith, was my inspiration; he always believed that confidence backed by informed decision making would always win out - favourite phrase - "better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission".  15 years later, I'm working again with Gary and its truly inspiring!

9. Please tell us a little bit about your journey - growing up, education, family, hobbies, career path etc.

In short - I went to a very ordinary London comprehensive, didn't do very well with exams and ended up with a law degree from Leicester Polytechnic - not exactly the bastion of education!  From there went into the technology sector, and worked in the US and The Netherlands for 7 years, running service desks, and learning the US-centric service model.  En route, ended up with three children (each born in a different country!) and remain happily married to a lawyer!  Didn't really have a career path as such, more a meander through various dead-ends.  My goal is to dominate the London conveyancing market, and we're making really good progress!

10.   Country pub or trendy bar?

Neither! Untrendy traditional town pub.

Thanks Peter

http://www.thepartnershiplimited.com