CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 4 2023 16 Leading Law Firm CEO of the Year Aiming to serve as a high-quality, creative, and result-oriented legal team for individuals and businesses, Northcroft is an international law firm specialising in corporate and construction law. From dispute resolution to financial advice, Northcroft is equipped to handle a wide range of legal issues. Here, we speak to Peter J. Locks, Chief Executive Officer of Northcroft, about his methods of leadership and how he believes they benefit the company. ith heritage that can be traced back to the 1840s, Northcoft was originally established to provide specialist construction consultancy services. From this, the company expanded to have its own legal division, enhancing its already diverse range of services. Now, Northcroft is a one stop shop for its existing clientele to address any contractual, legal matters associated with their area of work. Utilising professional experience combined with expert subject knowledge of international and local engineering and construction, Northcroft assists clients in mitigating and avoiding potential disputes before they arise through effective risk management strategies. Thanks to its reliable team of in-house legal experts, the company is also able to provide a robust legal team to pursue and maximise clients’ entitlements. With lawyers located throughout Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific, Northcroft supports a number of disputes internationally, including in locations such as Canada, Brazil, Tanzania, Mozambique, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The firm aims to provide key local knowledge to clients across all these locations, which is why the diverse expertise of its team is paramount to its success. Having originated in the construction and engineering industry, Northcroft primarily works with clients within this area, including individuals, developers, subcontractors, contractors, architects, as well as government and non-government entities. No matter the client, Northcroft’s support services are consistent in quality, always aiming to effectively identify and manage individual risks related to their business activities, formulating strategies to help them optimise their returns. Clients can rely on Northcroft to support them at any hour of the day and night, facilitating communication and trust. Delivering reliable and consistent services, Northcroft has established a core client base since its foundation, many of whom it has supported in their business endeavours for over 20 years. The longevity of these relationships is dependent on the company’s dedication to its core values, which are integrity, transparency and accountability. Since its foundation, Northcroft has stayed true to these values and believes they are fundamental to its drive and success. The firm is dedicated to quality and customer satisfaction, always aiming to listen to their requirements and exceed their expectations. As a result of its strong relationships with those it serves, the company typically gains new business through recommendation from existing clients. Such a successful and international company must be led by an extraordinary individual. Peter J. Locks, Northcroft’s Chief Executive Officer, has an impressive resume with over 20 years of solid experience in quantity surveying, cost management, contract management, and dispute resolution. He is a dual qualified Master of Science in Contract Law and Dispute Resolution, as well as a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quantity Surveying. Having worked both in the UK and the Middle East, he has gained extensive experience working on a variety of complex projects and has amassed a detailed Jan23757 W understanding of a number of sectors. As an experienced management professional, Peter is well-equipped to lead the team at Northcroft. Given his past experience, he has been able to effectively develop his leadership style to become the leader he is today. He comments, “I have been fortunate enough to have been exposed to a variety of leadership styles having served in the military for a long period of time, including active service in a number of countries. While I am familiar with the traits of authoritarian leadership, I believe it only has its role in a limited set of circumstances.” Instead, Peter takes a top-down approach to leadership, leading by example and encouraging his colleagues to do the same. “It would be appropriate to suggest that the leadership mode that we actively pursue and encourage is based upon a democratic leadership style,” he continues. “This is one of the most effective methods of leadership because it encourages every member of our team to participate within all processes, share their opinions, and they know
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