Organic Business Growth and the strategy for success
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Organic Business Growth and the strategy for success
The Leicester Mercury has followed our Senior Partner Rafique Patel over the years from his progress as a Partner at Leicestershire’s Largest Law firm Harvey Ingram and on to the difficult task of growing a law firm from its base. This at a time when other law firms are having to merge and individuals are having to buy other businesses.
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Rafique founded legal firm in slump and continues to see growth.
Leading a small but rapidly growing law firm might sound like hard work but Rafique Patel makes it look easy.
His days begin at 7.45am when he sets everything up before long sessions in meetings and arguing his clients' cases in court.
But relaxing in the immaculate London Road offices of his Leicester company Bond Adams, he seems more like a man who has spent the morning on the golf course – something he has regrettably few hours for nowadays.
The secret, he says, is his continued excitement about the rapid expansion Bond Adams. It is four years since the firm began as just him and one secretary with a handful of clients, who he held on to after a 10-year stint at Harvey Ingram.
He now has 14 members of staff including eight other lawyers and clients up and down the country.
"The enjoyable part about the job is seeing my work progress and having a great team."
Rafique, 40, was born in Leicester shortly after his parents arrived in the country. His mother was from Zimbabwe and his father came from India, to open a textile business in Leicester. He was one of five children.
After joining Harvey Ingram, in Leicester, in 1997, he became a partner at the age of 33 – the first Asian partner at a full service Leicestershire legal firm.
In 2007, just before leaving Harvey Ingr am, he was named in a list of the 100 most powerful Muslims in the UK. He is legal adviser to the Indo British Trade Council, sponsors the Khidmah community group in Leicester and spends his weekends coaching under-11s at the Leicester Nirvana football club.
It is the last four years, however, that Rafique is proudest of. He said: "I started Bond Adams in a recession and managed to grow year on year. I've found wealthy people often want smaller law firms.
"They want the personal touch.
"There are other businesses that will do the job more cheaply but we find many don't want that."
Rafique's knowledge of law is also key. "I take on cases others wouldn't because I have a better eye for whether we're going to win. That 's from experience and because I do a lot more court time than many other lawyers."
Rafique's dream now is to create a sustainable business that can continue after he retires. He is looking at a second office closer to the city centre as the expansion continues.