Johnny Nichols

Experience

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  Lawrence Graham

  Sept 1990 - Mar 1996

  Assistant Solicitor

  assistant solicitor in the Commercial litigation group specialising in employment advice

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  The Corporation and Society of Lloyd's

  Mar 1996 - Apr 2000

  Assistant Solicitor

  Senior member of the legal service department with particular interest and responsibility for employment advice (TUPE, redundancy and employment relations) and international litigation.

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  Reed Employment

  May 2000 - Nov 2004

  People Director

  People director responsible for all HR processes, including recruitment, compensation and benefits, learning and development (including progression of best practice), performance management, employment relations and retention. Also responsible for evaluation of service, ISO certification and various client relationships.Managed the HR admin and front-line teams, trainers and the excellence team (furthering best practice). Responsible for increasing by 25 the number of branches within the network. Show less

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  Reed Consulting

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  People Director
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  Allen & Overy LLP

  Mar 2005 - Jul 2007

  · Responsible for moving the main London office of Allen & Overy (2000 people, 2300 PCs and 17kms of filing)· clearance of old building achieved to plan at saving of £350k per week· Owning the Master programme, maintaining progress against programme, identifying dependencies and milestones, ensuring resilience· Managing the Move teams (internal and contractors) and responding to changes required by the fit-out progress· Managed the implementation of a cashless vending system (including salary sacrifice), multi-function printers and IP telephones all new to A&O· Managing communications to stakeholders including senior management, associates, PAs and support staff. This included pre-move communication, site visits, appointing and training local experts and ensuring floor-support on day one. Owner of communication forum with facilities staff.· Establishing the future shape of the facilities group and the balance of in-house and outsourced work Show less · First HR representative to be present and participate in Banking Partner appraisals· Amended and managed the International Banking partnership selection process, introducing new exercises to highlight differentials in cross-team working, understanding of the business and to verify a broad legal knowledge – changes later adopted firmwide· Analysed the staff survey data, presented on it to partners, then associate groups and the PA population and drove through changes designed to address associates' local concerns (e.g. local group staff forums, information about the wider business, cross-group working)· Implemented international recruitment drive (covering Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand)· Advised practice group leaders on succession planning, associate retention and departures· Advised Banking managing partner on key partner departures and related publicity· Devised and implemented Business Services Recognition plan Show less

  • Head of BS Projects

    Sept 2005 - Jul 2007

  • Head of HR, Banking & Tax

    Mar 2005 - Aug 2005
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  Bird & Bird LLP

  Nov 2007 - Nov 2019

  HR Director

  Close involvement in strategy formulation via role on the Management Committee and very close support to the CEO and Chairman. I took responsibility for managing partner profit share each year, broadening the range of measures to encourage greater collaboration across the partnership. During this period the firm grew from around 150 to 340 equity partners and 9 to 20 countries. My team took responsibility for all recruitment, in particular that of partners. This growth and desire for greater collaboration required my close involvement in the creation of regional country groups in the Nordics and Asia. I also internationalised the HR team across the firm. This period also saw a move towards a far better gender balance in partnership appointment with the establishment of various programmes to progress internal candidates. Show less

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  Keller Lenkner UK Limited

  Nov 2019 - Feb 2022

  Chief Operating Officer

  Commercial Operations Director who has established a new type of law firm enabling access to justice for tens of thousands of wronged consumers. Opened four offices and recruited 85 staff within an open and inclusive culture. The role included significant project management, recruitment, P&L accountability, performance management and the whole gamut of communication from top down to consultative and much 1-2-1. I undertook both the Compliance and GC role as well as taking responsibility for all operations. This was a heavily technology focussed organisation with clients attracted through social media content. Show less

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  Lawrence Stephens

  Sept 2022 - now

  Chief Operating Officer