2-minutes with Jeremy Orrell, chief executive officer of legal practice SAS Daniels

1. What’s it like to be chief operating officer at SAS Daniels?

There is never a dull moment! My role is to oversee the management of the firm and, whilst we have a central management team, this takes up the majority of my time (with the rest spent on managing our growing Corporate team). There is a feeling of a great sense of achievement bringing about improvements to the business and seeing colleagues progressing their careers in our firm.

2. What’s the biggest misconception about your role?

Being omnipotent! Management of a professional firm requires a large amount of consensus. You need to take people with you to succeed.

3. What’s your biggest work-related pet hate?

Complaints. The pandemic appears to have brought out the best and worst in people, and there are some people who show no tolerance or manners to staff who are doing their best to satisfy their legitimate expectations. Fortunately, the vast majority of our clients are appreciative (and we have had top ratings from our last 27 Trustpilot reviews to prove this) but there are still too many keyboard warriors out there. I think that social media legitimises bullying.

4. What’s your proudest work achievement to-date?

Steering the firm successfully through all the lockdowns and resetting the business to make it that much more efficient and profitable going forward.   

5. What four words best describe the qualities your job requires?

Humour, tolerance, determination, leadership.