Peter Sheppard Email & Phone Number

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Legal Professional Management ✶ Legal Recruitment ✶ Executive Search ✶ Destination Recruitment ✶ Talent Acquisition ✶ Management Consulting ✶ Mental Health Advocate ✶ Strategic Business Planning ✶ Relationship Management ✶ Business & Operations Management ✶ M&A Strategy ✶ Emotional Intelligence ✶ Change Management ✶ Stakeholder EngagementBlake Oliver Legal is a specialist legal recruitment company. We specialize in recruiting exceptional legal industry professionals and presenting them to the leading destinations in the market. We understand that every business is different, which is why we work hard to understand businesses exact recruitment needs. We apply this understanding to ensure the legal recruitment process is a success. For individuals, this understanding, along with our experience, allows us to present the prime legal opportunity to you. Our networks are diverse and cover Top tier, Mid tier and Boutique practices in Australia and around the world.

Australia

Strategic Business Planning ✶ Relationship Management ✶ Business & Operations Management ✶ Talent Acquisition ✶ M&A Strategy ✶ Emotional Intelligence ✶ Change Management ✶ Stakeholder Engagement HFW is a global law firm in the commodities, aerospace, construction, energy, insurance and shipping sectors.Managed all facets of Australian practice operations (Melb, Syd & Perth) , liaising with the UK office and reporting to the Aus Managing Partner, the Global COO and the Global Managing Partner. Provided strategic direction for the Australian Practice, built operational efficiencies, and held executive responsibility for business operations. Oversaw the Local HR Manager, Marketing Manager, Finance Manager and IT Manager in conjunction with Global Heads & advised the senior stakeholders on operational performance matters.Selected Achievements:• Increased Australian revenues by successfully working with stakeholders, identifying business growth opportunities, and building structures and leading discussions to enable future growth.• Managed recruitment processes including initial screening, interviewing and candidate selection, clearly communicating role requirements and expectations whilst creating a dialogue about career mapping, personal development and future prospects. • Led high-performing teams by introducing frequent performance discussions and improving HR frameworks in collaboration with the HR Manager and in alignment with firm strategy.• Negotiated long-term leases for new office locations and managed all facets of new office fit-outs and put together a dynamic business case for office expenditure.• Developed an Australian IT Strategy with global leaders that supported long-term growth.• Collaborated with senior stakeholders to support an Australian Marketing Strategy, developing a new strategic business line. • Led local Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, including the St Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout and See Beyond Borders program.

Victoria, Australia

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Business and Operations Management ✶ M&A Strategy ✶ Change Management ✶ Relationship Management ✶ Emotional Intelligence ✶ Talent Acquisition ✶ Corporate GovernanceClark Toop and Taylor was a specialist law firm representing individuals in the area of compensation and personal injury laws, before being acquired by Slater and Gordon.Responsible for business operations management of the firm, in addition to strategic organisational growth initiatives. Managed 4 Finance personnel, the HR Coordinator, ICT Officer and Administration Coordinator, and oversaw the legal and support teams of the business. Facilitated and coordinated marketing and promotional business functions.Selected Achievements:• Instrumental to the merger of Clark Toop and Taylor with Slater and Gordon involving the exploration of various options/scenarios, the execution of cost analysis and M&A strategy implementation.• Undertook all facets of the recruitment cycle from advertising to screening to interviews and candidate selection. Whilst all the time keeping stakeholders and candidates well informed of progress. • Set up 2 new offices that included one complete fit-out. Managed the choosing of office locations, office layout, building notices/permits, review of utilities certificates of compliance, site inspections, ICT fit-out, and assisting with the hiring of new personnel and the sourcing of external roles and support for departing staff.• Continuously improved organisational systems, policies and procedures by adopting new products and up-to-date systems, and applying a strong understanding of all levels and departments of the organisation.• Introduced performance and salary reviews, and adeptly managed and supported underperforming staff.• Upgraded and implemented the IT function, including new software, hardware and server infrastructure. • Devised additional reports to highlight and address key areas of focus for the business, encompassing profit, leverage and ratio reporting.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Business Analysis ✶ Budget Management ✶ Business Improvement ✶ Staff Development ✶ Employee Engagement ✶ Training Program ManagementDLA Piper is a multinational law firm servicing the corporate sector in Australia and New Zealand, with offices in more than 40 countries.Provided financial management, business analysis, performance reporting and the implementation of improvement programs for 4 separate legal teams and the National Practice Group. Led, developed and supported a team of 20 administrative personnel servicing 70 legal practitioners, and served as an adviser and point of contact regarding budget management issues for Australia and New Zealand.Selected Achievements:• Improved cash flow by 30% within one year through the reduction of fees and debt ‘lock-ups’.• Established a reputation for producing reliable data and effectively managing integrity checks of financial statistics used in Partner and other fee earner reviews.• Implemented a new CMS system locally and subsequently internationally in the Wellington (NZ) office.• Decreased formal training needs by creating an online library of training manuals, explaining and detailing the accounting database in a clear way for all users. • Clarified performance KPIs by properly explaining each area using accessible, relevant language, which enabled the incorporation of improvements with significant impacts on the business.• Resolved complex issues regarding the database and accounting functions via the Helpdesk portal.• Delivered the Practice Management module in the New Employee Induction Program, and provided mentorship and professional development opportunities to new Practice Analysts.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia