In The Company Of: LCF Law partner Haroon Qayum on the Harrogate firm being recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the best places to work in the UK

In a nutshell, what does your company do and how did it start?From our four Yorkshire offices, we provide a range of legal services to businesses and individuals. The business started in 1988, joining long-standing Harrogate firm, Barber Titleys, in 2015. Our vision is to be best law firm to work with and help our clients achieve their goals.

We do this by listening to our clients to learn about their issues and objectives, communicating clearly in plain language and facilitating the actions necessary to bring about the agreed objectives on time and within budget.

What's the most surprising thing about it?Our colleagues already knew it, but we were recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the best places to work in the UK last year.

Our team answered an anonymous survey on key drivers – reward and recognition, information sharing, empowerment, instilling pride, job satisfaction and well-being. We scored highly throughout.

What do you do in the business?As a wills, trusts and probate lawyer, I help people to get their affairs in order to manage their legacy effectively and efficiently. I’m a problem solver, helping clients with wills and trusts, lasting powers of attorney, inheritance and estate tax planning.

With colleagues in the corporate team, I also help the owners of family businesses with strategic succession planning, so it’s a varied and rewarding role.

How did you end up here?

I was born and bred in Yorkshire and then moved away with work. I spent 13 years in Cambridge and Birmingham, but I always wanted to come back to Yorkshire.

I chose Harrogate because it’s a beautiful town and my mum is local. I’ve lived here for two years now, close to the town centre, and whole-heartedly agree with the national survey that crowned Harrogate as one of the best places to live in the UK!

If you weren't doing this, what would you be doing?

I think something outdoors as I spend a lot of time walking and find it really enjoyable. Maybe a tour guide of the Peak District!

What motivates you?Being the best I can be and always learning and improving.

Being a lawyer takes a certain mindset, you need to be disciplined and consistent. There are always changes to the law so the profession suits people who are motivated by challenging themselves – and that’s me.

What one thing do you wish you had known when you started out in business?

I don’t think I appreciated how varied the role of a lawyer was and the wide range of personal skills needed.

Apart from understanding the running of a business, you need to build relationships and earn trust, whilst developing the business and mentoring colleagues, none of which was covered at law school!

What excites you about business?

When I moved back to Yorkshire, I wanted to work for a law firm that had a clear direction, and really focussed on its clients, and that’s what LCF Law is – everyone knows what part they play in the plan for the firm, and they support each other.

It’s an open and innovative business that focusses on its people and that’s very exciting.

What is your pet hate in business?

The over-use of Zoom and Teams meetings. I always find it better to meet in person. I feel there is a better understanding of the issues and the objectives when you are in the same room.

Video conferencing does have its place, but I prefer face to face meetings.

What advice would you give to people just starting their careers?

Commitment is key, it’s important to understand that you will always be learning and developing throughout your career.

Choose an area of the law that you find rewarding and find good mentors to help support you.

Who in business do you most admire, and why?

Steve Jobs. I admire his creativity and determination. He was only young when he started Apple and was a trailblazer, continually innovating.

What moments of your career so far stand out?Becoming a partner in a law firm was always my career goal. As was achieving my qualifications and accreditation with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Other stand out moments include being a former president of the Cambridgeshire & District Law Society and being listed as a finalist in the ‘achievers in law’ category of the 2024 British Muslim Awards.

Currently I’m vice chairman of the North Yorkshire branch of the Institute of Directors (IOD) and a member of the Harrogate Round Table, which does great work for the community.

What sets your company apart from the competition?Our dynamic people. They are all are highly focussed on getting the best possible results for our clients.

Our team is committed to making sure everyone feels supported and encouraged to take on new challenges – be that professionally or personally. We offer clear pricing options for the legal services we provide, so clients know exactly what to expect from the outset.

What is the most difficult challenge your company has faced? And what challenges are you experiencing at the moment?

One of the main challenges to business is the threat of cyber-attack. That’s why we have invested heavily in a robust IT infrastructure and gained a coveted accreditation with Cyber Essentials Plus.

No business can be complacent and it’s an ongoing challenge that we take very seriously.

Have you got a five-year plan for the company?We are aiming for more sustainable growth and continuous improvement, as well as ensuring our colleagues achieve their career potential and are rewarded fairly.

We are in the middle of our current five-year plan and are on track towards the targeted goals for March 2027. We will be rolling forward a review this year for the next five years.

Why is it good to do business in Harrogate?

There’s a great community here with lots of successful businesses based in and around the town and a proactive Chamber of Commerce.

The people of Harrogate are friendly and welcoming and there are plenty of networking opportunities.