Working across Thompsons Solicitors’ national network of offices, Peter reports to the executive board and is responsible for developing, delivering and managing the strategic and operational IT and business process systems at the firm to support its work in personal injury and trade union law.
With more than 20 years’ experience as an IT professional in the legal industry, Peter was recruited by Thompsons specifically to modernise the firm’s IT, telephony and business support systems. Since Peter came on board, the firm has invested significantly in technology to bring in new, faster and fit-for-purpose systems.
Peter has revolutionised the firm's core business systems, employing comprehensive networks that have led to new ways of working that are responsive and flexible. Driving a phenomenal rate of change, Peter has condensed what would normally have taken 10 years to design and implement, into four years.
And it is paying dividends, as Thompsons’ legal teams - whether personal injury, asbestos disease, professional misconduct, accidents at work, or employment rights - are able to manage their cases in a more efficient and proactive way for the benefit of their trade union clients. Systems now allow the teams to organise their work and produce legal documents quickly when necessary, freeing up more time to spend with clients.
On a day-to-day basis, based in Leeds, Peter runs a team of specialist IT staff at several locations. A support desk, a development team, analysts who identify IT needs and projects, and infrastructure and network engineers who maintain all the kit and the networks to keep the firm connected, all come under Peter’s charge.
Peter understands better than most that advances in technology move at a rapid pace, so keeping abreast of the latest trends and developments, new technologies and new machinery is a key aim. Devising long-term strategic plans and working with the executive board to ensure Thompsons stays ahead of the game and maintains its reputation is Peter’s objective.
Peter is glad to work for a firm that only ever takes on cases on behalf of workers, never employers. He was attracted to Thompsons Solicitors because of the exciting IT projects and opportunities to improve the service for the legal teams and, therefore, trade union clients.
Outside work, Peter is a keen cyclist and often competes in races and cycle events, representing his local cycling club.