Dan Flounders - Jacksons
Tell us about your current role.
I head up the corporate and commercial team at Jacksons, with the bulk of my workload focused on dealing with mergers, acquisitions, general corporate advice and advice to shareholders and owner managers. We provide this support predominantly to businesses across the North East, most of which sits within the Tees Valley area, but covering the wider North East region from time to time. There are currently six of us in the team and we are focusing on some aggressive recruitment to grow the team further in order to have sufficient resource to deal with a busy deal pipeline.
What is your proudest business achievement?
I only qualified in 2015 and was made partner in 2019, so rising through the ranks quite quickly, and holding a strong reputation in and around the business community across the North East as a highly recommended corporate lawyer, has been a particularly proud achievement of mine.
How has your industry changed in the last decade?
I think the perception of the industry and of lawyers has changed significantly. Growing up, my assumption of a firm of lawyers would be led by the older generation dressed in suits and ties, whose longevity at a firm dictated their status. What we are now seeing in a much more dynamic workplace is that there are a lot of younger people at the top. The profession as a whole is more accessible to the younger generation and progression is based on skillset, reputation and delivery rather than just length of service. The profile of business owners is also a lot younger nowadays. Particularly on Teesside and the North East generally we have witnessed a lot of startups in the creative, digital and tech sectors, led by young entrepreneurs and, when looking for legal support and representation, they want to maintain a rapport with professional advisers of a similar age profile, interests and mindset. Technology has also changed – we have moved to paperless systems, electronic data rooms and digital signatures.
What are you currently working on?
We’ve got a variety of owner managed businesses seeking succession planning support. It has been a really busy 12-month period for people locally getting their succession arrangements in place or seeking an exit strategy from their business, with main driver being the ever changing tax system. There is a lot of investment in the North East and we are currently dealing with various mergers and acquisitions, with bigger organisaitons seeing the North East as a key focus to their own internal growth plans.
There are also some large funding opportunities in the area, with people looking to acquire successful businesses in tech, manufacturing and engineering. We are working with some large investor-backed private equity deals worth millions of pounds. I enjoy supporting clients through the life cycle of their business, from starting up to selling out and hopefully getting rewarded for their hard work.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
For me personally, I think it’s that connections, visibility and reputation that are key. I have been successful personally through the business connections I have made, being visible in the local business community and forming relationships with people, with hope of delivering services to them which leads to enhancing both my and the firm’s reputation. It’s important to get to know people’s interests and connect with them on a personal level.
What has been your biggest challenge?
I think being a young lawyer has had its challenges. In the early stages of your career age can sometimes have an impact and create a challenge when it comes to getting in front of bigger clients. If you can show you’re good enough, age becomes irrelevant. It’s not about time served, it’s about your performance, ability and how to deliver success.
Who is your hero outside of business?
I like Lord Alan Sugar because of his impressive business acumen and the fact he started out with nothing and has built an impressive empire.
How do you unwind out of work?
I am a keen footballer still playing in the local Northern league – having just completed my 20th season. I hope to play until I’m 40. I also enjoy family time and holidays. Going to the gym and keeping fit and healthy is also an important focus for me.
What are you currently reading?
I used to be a keen reader when I was younger, but now with a three-year-old in tow I don’t often have the chance – with the exception of Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig books and magazines! TV is my go-to, with Football (and any sport) being a common theme.
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