Our team consists of some of the most experienced people in the business. We can deliver wide-ranging expertise, experience, and capabilities and we can put the right people-combination in place to suit your firm, your project, and your client management requirements.
Darren Francis
Darren is a former lawyer who now works with law firms – both in the UK and internationally – to help with a variety of projects including:
- Business development – including creating or improving BD structures and functions.
- Key client engagement – including client listening programmes.
- Training and mentoring lawyers to be better client managers.
- Bid and pitch management – including coaching on presentation stages of bids
- Chairing and facilitating conferences and partner retreats.
Claire Rowles
Claire is a former lawyer who was previously head of Client Focus at Clifford Chance, overseeing the firm’s approach to managing global client relationships. She is an experienced Client Relationship Manager and understands what it takes to lead high-performing client teams. Claire has created and delivered Client Relationship Management training to relationship partners, associates, and Business Development teams across the world.
Claire is also a specialist in Client Listening and has delivered a number of client listening projects to law firms to inform key client learning and key client development programmes.
Claire is also a specialist in Client Listening and has delivered a number of client listening projects to law firms to inform key client learning and key client development programmes.
Mark Allatt
Mark has worked in legal, professional services and broader B2B marketing & business development for thirty years.
Following some years with political think tanks and a hi-tech PR agency, Mark spent four years with Hoskyns Group plc (now Capgemini), finishing up as corporate public relations manager. Mark then spent the next six years with KPMG Consulting (now Atos), leaving as head of marketing for Europe before joining property consultancy GVA Grimley (now Avison Young) as its marketing director. He was director of brand & image development in the UK (and the first global brand director) at Deloitte from 2001 to 2007 where he was responsible for the firm's global re-brand in 2003. After spending some time with leading Scottish law firm Shepherd & Wedderburn, Mark joined Bird & Bird as director of marketing & business development in 2008. Mark now provides marketing, communications, digital, branding and business development consultancy services with a focus on legal, professional services and PE-backed businesses. He has also been a NED and chairman to a number of professional firms.
Following some years with political think tanks and a hi-tech PR agency, Mark spent four years with Hoskyns Group plc (now Capgemini), finishing up as corporate public relations manager. Mark then spent the next six years with KPMG Consulting (now Atos), leaving as head of marketing for Europe before joining property consultancy GVA Grimley (now Avison Young) as its marketing director. He was director of brand & image development in the UK (and the first global brand director) at Deloitte from 2001 to 2007 where he was responsible for the firm's global re-brand in 2003. After spending some time with leading Scottish law firm Shepherd & Wedderburn, Mark joined Bird & Bird as director of marketing & business development in 2008. Mark now provides marketing, communications, digital, branding and business development consultancy services with a focus on legal, professional services and PE-backed businesses. He has also been a NED and chairman to a number of professional firms.
Diane Turner
With over 25 years of experience at Deloitte, Diane has honed her expertise in understanding the dynamics between leaders, their teams, and clients. This means that she can deliver practical, experienced-based advice and coaching, which always adds value at a commercial level.
Diane helps firms to unlock value through strategic client listening and feedback programmes. Helping leaders to understand their clients and teams, and applying results to meaningful and practical coaching, mentoring, and commercial decision making. Diane is known for her empathetic approach, credibility, and ability to drive positive change by transforming client insights into actionable strategies. She is passionate about ensuring a sensitive approach to the communication of challenging feedback to motivate and nurture positive action.
Diane helps firms to unlock value through strategic client listening and feedback programmes. Helping leaders to understand their clients and teams, and applying results to meaningful and practical coaching, mentoring, and commercial decision making. Diane is known for her empathetic approach, credibility, and ability to drive positive change by transforming client insights into actionable strategies. She is passionate about ensuring a sensitive approach to the communication of challenging feedback to motivate and nurture positive action.