Pinsent Masons launches ‘Spark Board’ to promote inclusive decision-making

The Spark Board is tasked by Pinsent Masons’ global Board with considering and presenting its views and solutions on a number of advisory projects as directed by the firm’s Board. Further, the Spark Board will be tasked with selecting a number of 'big picture thinking' projects of its own choosing and making recommendations to the Board.

They are:

• Alexandra Aikman, Associate, Dubai
• David Bryden, Solicitor, Edinburgh
• Julian Grant, Associate, Melbourne
• Andrew Kane, SmartDelivery Manager, Birmingham
• Sania Khan, Responsible Business Executive, Leeds
• Valentine Morand, Avocat à la Cour, Paris
• Hinesh Shah, Forensic Accountant, London
• Philippa Ward, Solicitor, London

Philippa Ward, a solicitor in Pinsent Masons' London Corporate team who first raised the idea with the firm's management, says:

"The average age of the members of the firm’s two primary leadership committees, the Board and OpsCom, is 20-30 years older than the most common age group of the people in our firm. The Spark Board was born from a recognition that, whether you are a lawyer, a fee earner in another discipline or a specialist in an area of business operations, you can offer a different way of thinking and alternative expertise on the big issues. There is a recognition around our business that no single person or committee has the monopoly on good ideas, and that's where the Spark Board has a role to play. We can better use, and benefit from, the diversity of all our people."

Richard Foley, Senior Partner commented:

"As we continue to transition our business we know our decision-making needs to be informed by the widest possible range of talents within our business. If we want our business to work better we have to be prepared to push a few boundaries and that includes around key decision making. I am really excited about the contribution the Spark Board will make to that and I'm looking forward to working with the team."