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New law firm boss leads the charge with flexible working
An Australian law firm has implemented a flexible working arrangement for its new CEO.
Tom Lodewyke
Sydney-based commercial law firm Bartier Perry appointed Riana Steyn (pictured below) as its CEO in late December 2017.
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Ms Steyn joined from Kemp Strang, where she was chief operating officer. Prior to joining Kemp Strang in 2011, she held senior management positions in South Africa and Australia at PwC and Investec Private Bank.
The new CEO said in a statement that she was attracted to Bartier Perry’s “plain-speaking and results-focused” culture.
“In a rapidly changing and highly competitive market, firms can become easily distracted and take a scattergun approach to strategy,” she said.
“Building the right team and culture is too often overlooked. In talking to the people here prior to and since taking on the CEO role, there’s no doubt Bartier Perry’s culture and focus has helped achieve a near 90 per cent tender success rate in the last year.
“That speaks volumes to me. They know what they are doing and they do it really well.”
Ms Steyn said the firm’s board agreed “without hesitation” for her to work flexible hours, helping her to manage commitments outside work.
“And while flexible working arrangements must work equally for employer as employee, my view is it’s not where you work or how you work but that quality outcomes are achieved for our clients,” she said.
“For all the talk around flexible working arrangements, actions speak far louder than words. The firm just celebrated its 75th year but it is forward-thinking and acknowledges that at certain stages of their career people will be seeking flexible work arrangements, regardless of age, gender or role.
“Flexibility often means different things throughout people’s lives. It may be study commitments, it may be family-related, or it could be another goal or interest outside of work that people are pursuing.”
Ms Steyn said the firm would continue to focus on key areas of expertise under her leadership, including insurance, property, wills and estates, asset planning and tax, corporate and commercial transactions and advice, workplace law and commercial disputes, with a spotlight on servicing government, insurance, business and private clients.
“We pride ourselves on being easy to work with, down to earth and flexible,” Ms Steyn said.
“We will continue to work on building our client knowledge and service so that the best results are achieved for our clients.”
Pictured: Bartier Perry CEO Riana Steyn
