IFSDG: How long have you worked in
Ellis
Whittam?
Derick: I started with
Ellis Whittam in March 2016 as a Senior Employment Law Advisor and
I have since been promoted to Head of Team in our new Glasgow
office.
IFSDG: How many people work at
Ellis Whittam?
Derick: We have almost
200 people employed at EW. The majority of those are based at our
Head Office in Aldford, Cheshire, however we have an
ever-increasing number in Glasgow. We also have colleagues working
from home and out in 'the field'.
IFSDG: What is the vision for
Ellis Whittam in Glasgow?
Derick: To become the
leading provider of high quality fixed fee Employment Law, Health
& Safety and HR advice.
IFSDG: What's a typical day for you?
Derick: There is a great
deal of variety from day to day, which is part of the fun of
working in employment law. I normally arrive at the office at
around 8:30 am and following a review of my emails I will prepare
for any meetings with clients or colleagues. We try to encourage a
good work/ life balance at EW, so the working day usually finishes
at around 5:30 - 6 pm, subject to making sure our clients' needs
are satisfied.
IFSDG: Why did Ellis
Whittam choose to locate in the IFSD in
Glasgow?
Derick: Having taken the
decision to open a second office, we identified Glasgow as a great
source of talent with whom we could grow our business and provide
great advice to our clients. The IFSD is the ideal location
for us because of its central location and also provides our
clients with a convenient place to visit.
IFSDG: Three good things about
working in Glasgow?
Derick: Excellent
transport links, one of the best city centres in the UK and, of
course, our lovely shiny new office.
IFSDG: What is your biggest business achievement
to date?
Derick: We have had
many; however from a personal point of view our expansion into
Scotland is particularly pleasing.
IFSDG: What is the best investment you ever
made?
Derick: I think it would
be investing my time (and a considerable amount of money) in
pursuing a new career in law after many years of working for the
Ministry of Defence. It was a daunting step to take, but 13 years
on I think I made the right decision.
IFSDG: Which businessperson or company do you most
admire and why?
Derick: I admire the
many thousands of people who have chosen to set up their own
businesses and create so much employment in our country. We depend
a great deal on those with entrepreneurial spirit and I think they
deserve recognition for that.
IFSDG: What did you want to be when you were a
child?
Derick: I wanted to be
an astronaut...or a dentist!
IFSDG: What do you do to relax away from the
office?
Derick: I like to watch
football, go for walks with our Cocker Spaniel, Olly, and I love to
make red hot Indian curries.
IFSDG: I-Phone or
Android?
Derick: I-phone
IFSDG: Favourite
band?
Derick: Kings of
Leon
IFSDG: Favourite
sport?
Derick: Football
IFSDG: Favourite
movie?
Derick: Lord of the
Rings
IFSDG: Sunshine or
snow?
Derick: Sunshine
IFSDG: and finally, what three words sum you
up?
Derick: Friendly, honest
and reliable.