Founding Director of Totum, Gary Jones talks about why diversity and inclusion is important to Totum, our clients and himself as we once again publish our latest diversity statistics(our fifth year of publishing our diversity figures!), including details of developments made in 2021 as well as plans to further improve our diversity and inclusivity (D&I) performance through 2022.

Our diverse future

Totum Director, Gary Joins speaks to founder Fred Banning, Fifth Day about a new pro bono scheme for business services professionals. Fred talks about his new volunteering scheme, why he set it up, his partnership with REACH Volunteering and how law firms and individuals can sign up. There are some great opportunities so don't forget to sign up to the newsletter.

Volunteering Scheme for Business Services Professionals

Totum Director, Deborah Gray speaks with Bruna Pellicci, Chief Technology Officer at Linklaters, and one of the very few female leaders in technology. Bruna shares with us how she got into technology, and how she has progressed as a woman in business, imparting her learnt advice throughout her career so far.

'Breaking the Bias' as a Female Leader in Technology

In this piece, Totum Director Deborah Gray talks to Sadie Baron, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Reed Smith, a female leader in marketing who has over 20 years’ experience in the field.

Breaking the Bias as a female leader in BD and Marketing with Sadie Baron

Tim Skipper, Founding Director, talks to Yaniss Aiche, Partner in Dentons' niche Sovereign Advisory practice and Bretislav Simral, Europe Insight & Intelligence Director at Dentons about their development of innovative AI tools for professional services firms.

#TotumTalks Innovation and AI

I spoke with Grant Glazebrook, the Director of Lateral Partner Integration at White and Case, who has helped to successfully support over 160 partners into their new roles.

Lateral Partners are often left  to sink or swim when they take on their new role. Without adequate assistance for new partners to start on the right foot, the considerable  investment can go wrong. Grant discusses the unique challenges faced by lateral partners, who often find themselves navigating uncharted waters without sufficient support.

#TotumTalks Lateral Partner Integration - Tim Skipper and Grant Glazebrook

The young-onset/early-onset Parkinson’s episode - Something Comes Along EP1

Welcome back to another episode of Something Comes Along, an ongoing series exploring the unexpected moments that reshape our lives.

In our second episode, Totum’s Gary Jones chats with Mel Richardson and Tiffany Sims, both sharing their personal journeys following their Breast Cancer diagnosis. 

Thank you Mel and Tiff for joining us and being open, honest and impactful.

For more information about the additional resources and support available for Breast Cancer as discussed, please visit:

Cancer Research UK: https://shorturl.at/tL6I2
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity: https://www.helenrollason.org.uk/

You can also listen to this episode on our other platforms: 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHYGmbzMGhs&t=31s
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DME4w

The Breast Cancer episode - Something Comes Along EP2

In our third episode, we sit down with Liz Chappell and Adele Spencer - two voices for children with Special Educational Needs. With lived experience, they guide us through the complexities, challenges, and quiet triumphs of supporting children with SEN.

This conversation is both a call to compassion and a celebration of resilience for parents, educators, and SEN children themselves. 

Thank you Liz and Adele for joining us and being open, honest and impactful.

For more information about the additional resources and support available for SEN Support as discussed, please visit:

IPSEA: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
SOS!SEN: https://sossen.org.uk/
Support SEND Kids: https://supportsendkids.org/

Navigating the world of Special Educational Needs (SEN) - Something Comes Along EP3

Men: Losing Your Way and the Power of Seeking Help – the importance of talking, reaching out, and discovering that you are not alone.

Welcome back to another episode of Something Comes Along, an ongoing series exploring the unexpected moments that reshape our lives.

In this fourth episode, Gary spoke with Chris McMinn, Midlands Area Lead for Andy's Man Club, and Andy Syms, Founder of Recolouring the ‘Vanishing Man’, to hear about their own experiences and insights in supporting men during tough times, as well as the rewards and successes that come from that support.

To learn more about Andy's Man Club, visit: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/ 
To learn more about The Vanishing Man, Visit: https://vanishingman.co.uk/

Something Comes Along EP4 - Men: Losing Your Way and the Power of Seeking Help

Director of Totum, Tim Skipper, shares his views on business services professionals in law, on the term non fee-earners, what mix of people make up the best team, the changing landscape for business services professionals and how they are increasingly valued for the contribution they make.

Tim Skipper Explains How Law Firms Are Updating Their Business Services Offerings

Martyn Draper, Head of Finance recruitment at Totum Partners looks at how the role of CFO is evolving, what does the role look like now and what are the skills required to be successful. The role of the CFO and indeed the Finance team is not a back office function but is fundamental to the firms success.

Exploring the role of a CFO and how they are impacting law firms

Totum's Deborah Gray and Laura McNair chat about the future of HR, and how people are now top of the agenda, sitting on the board and contributing to the firm's strategy.

Totum investigate the future of HR in law

Totum's Deborah Gray and Laura McNair chat about the inner workings of HR and their role in today's professional and legal services sector. It includes how HR are seen by the rest of the firm and the new skills needed if they are going to keep up with latest trends.

Want to know what it is like to work in HR in the next decade ?

Directors Gary Jones and Deborah Gray discuss the increasing popularity and importance of the COO role in law, what makes for a successful COO placement and why this role is particularly interesting: every COO role is unique to the specific needs of the firm.

What makes for a good COO?

Founding Directors Tim Skipper & Deborah Gray, Totum Partners reflect on the last 11 weeks of Covid-19 and what has been happening in the world of professional services recruitment, the challenges and the opportunities.

What has been happening in professional services recruitment?

We are Totum. And we’re looking a little.... Different.
Why? Because the professional services industry is looking a little different too.

Everyone can see where it’s been.
We have a vision for where it’s going.

Deborah Gray, Totum Director explains the reason for the brand refresh in this short message.  

We’re excited about Totum's next chapter and we’re looking forward to working with you on the next stage of your journey.

 Please do get in touch! www.totumpartners.com

New Look, Bold Vision #Totum Partners

"How is recruitment"? we get asked a lot these days. And although it is quieter because of Covid-19, it is not dead and there are a healthy number of roles. Gary Jones, Director, gives a quick synopsis of the recruitment market and the types of roles we are recruiting.

Recruitment is quieter but not dead

An update on the recruitment market 5 months after we closed the London office. There are still a healthy number of roles at all levels in finance, HR, marketing, business development, IT and innovation. Gary Jones, Director, gives an update of the recruitment market in professional services.

What is the market really like?

So far our sector, legal and other professional services is holding up. Recruitment has been steady and we have seen an uptick in certain roles within marketing as well as operations and transformation roles. Deborah Gray & Gary Jones, Totum Directors discuss the job market and it is not as bad as you think!

6 months on ... Recruitment during a pandemic

A podcast about mental health and wellbeing with Brian Henderson, interviewed by Gary Jones, Totum Director. #corporatewellbeing #mentalheath

Brian Henderson #thisisme

Totum's Deborah Gray asks Tracey Groves, ESG consultant, why the focus on sustainable business is so important. Is it another passing phase? or is it here to stay? How will this impact attracting and retaining talent? and what practical advice she has for firm leaders. 

It is a fascinating topic and Tracey passionate and wealth of knowledge is worth listening too.

ESG is a Business Force For Good Practice

Totum's consultants Laura McNair & Roisin Ashmore talk to us about what they have seen in the world of People & HR recruitment during the pandemic and in 2021. The trends in demand in new roles within D&I and wellbeing and how law and professional services firms are managing virtual interviews and onboarding. There is plenty of positive news and plenty of positive changes - which we might all need at the moment!

People & HR Recruitment in 2021

People & HR recruitment in 2021 within law and professional services firms

55 per cent of Totum’s placements since the first lockdown, were in BD & marketing – so although recruitment roles may have slowed – those for BD & marketing have not. Totum Consultants Joanna Milne and Georgia Cooke tell us about the latest trends, new roles – including recruitment activity now and into the future. And, it’s positive news for BD & marketing professionals in law firms and the wider professional services.

Totum Talks

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