by
Graham Ford
| Oct 26, 2011
Mark Hovell is Managing Partner of Manchester’s George Davies Solicitors LLP and the 2011 Winner of the LawNet Managing Partner of the Year Award.
Mark received the award for his “inspirational approach and fearless attitude to change”. When nominating Mark, Lindsey Farrelly of George Davies said, “He brings out the best in people. There’s a real buzz across the firm.”
Mark specializes in Sports Law, Insolvency and Commercial, as well as being a licensed Insolvency Practitioner and Certified Arbitrator. In his spare time, he is a full time dad who goes running and plays football, rugby, racketball and golf when he gets a minute!
How would others describe you in three words?
My wife describes me as a “short fat lawyer”. The kids are worse!
What has been your best professional moment to date?
With my lawyer’s hat on, representing the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi was an amazing experience.
What has been your worst professional moment to date?
As we, like most firms, made cuts at the start of this recession, I had to let half a dozen people go. I guess it was the reality that you’re close to all your people and that was the worst part of this role to date.
Tell us about one surprising thing you’ve learned since becoming Managing Partner?
That it’s easier to manage in a recession! When things are going well, people aren’t interested in new ideas or change; when there’s pressure on they are!
If you hadn't chosen Law, what do you think you'd be doing with your life?
I’d always wanted to be a psychiatrist (as my father was a doctor and my mother was nosey!) when finishing school, but never got the grades, so took a management degree instead. The Law came later, so guess I’d be managing somewhere else – perhaps at Manchester United after City thumped them the other day!
AND FINALLY
If we looked in your desk’s top drawer, what would we find?
Nothing – since our move to new premises, no one has their own desk, let alone their own office. You’d have to look on my ipad!