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An Unorthodox CEO

Richard Cripps: Navigating Partnership, Acquisitions & Pressures

Season 3, Ep. 7
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This week, Steve chats with Richard Cripps about life as a solicitor, the challenges of being a Managing Partner, and what it was like navigating the acquisition of Rix & Kay. Discover the differences between a Managing Partner and a Managing Director, hear how Richard balances pressure with leadership, and why some of the hardest decisions were also the right ones for the business.


00:00 Intro

02:28 Why Richard became a solicitor & growing up

07:10 Where he trained & his first job

08:48 What partnership was and is now

10:56 Taking partnership for the first time & joining Rix & Kay

12:28 Differences between Managing Partner (MP) & Managing Director

15:04 The challenges of being a MP - wearing lots of hats

20:10 Why mid size solicitors are having to adapt

23:20 What a Solicitors fall back position of comfort is

24:12 How the market has changed for Soliciting businesses

27:40 Richards thoughts on AI in Law

31:40 The process of Rix & Kay being acquired

37:00 Toughest challenge faced as MP

39:11 Why Richard joined Vistage & the benefits

43:57 Life as a Partner at Knights - how Richard managed the change

45:54 How Richard switches off

50:00 Advice for anyone striving for senior roles in Law

53:05 Quickfire Questions

1:00:05 Outro

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