Lawyers for life: James Beatton on managing Cripps

This issue, we speak to James Beatton, partner and Head of Corporate at Cripps. Beatton will succeed Gavin Tyler as Managing Partner of the firm in May 2023. He is a partner is the corporate transactions team and the head of the corporate division, working with businesses to help them achieve their growth strategies – and has more than 25 years’ experience of working with businesses in London and the South East on a full range of corporate and advisory matters.

CH: Thank you for making time to speak with us. Please tell us about yourself - what is your current role?

JB: At the moment, I head up our Corporate Group, but from next May, I will be the firm’s new Managing Partner following the retirement of Gavin Tyler.

CH: What does your firm do? What does your firm or company do differently?

JB: Cripps is a full-service law firm, providing an integrated offering, serving businesses, real estate investors and developers and private clients. As lawyers for business and life, we advise clients across our practice areas on both business and personal matters. We put our clients at the heart of what we do.

However, we don’t just do the right thing by our clients, we’re committed to doing it the right way. It’s important for us to make a lasting difference for our clients, people, communities and planet. This ethos underpins all we do – whether that’s supporting our people to take time out to volunteer on community projects, or implementing the steps needed to achieve our net zero target.

CH: Which qualifications led you to the role you're in today?

JB: I’m not sure about qualifications, but I’ve always enjoyed working with people, building teams and strong, long-lasting relationships with clients – helping them achieve their strategies and growth ambitions.

CH: How did your career path unfold?

JB: I qualified at a smaller Kent-based firm before moving to Cripps in 2000. In 2004, I was part of a group of people who set up a dedicated corporate law firm. After 10 years we merged that firm back with Cripps – and here I am!

CH: What do you enjoy most about what you do?  

JB: The people at Cripps and the clients we work with. Helping our people achieve their personal ambitions within a supportive but challenging environment and our clients achieve their goals is hugely motivating.

CH: What do you find most challenging about what you do?

JB: Staying on top on my inbox and switching off.

CH: What is a typical working day like for you?