We sat down with our Founder and Managing Director, Andrew Hilliard, to discuss the brand merger last week. With recent changes to our website and social media pages, and the big brand merge of Nelson Chambers into AJ Chambers, we had a few questions we wanted to ask Andrew about the process:
WE’D LIKE TO KNOW THE STORY BEHIND BOTH THE NAMES AJ CHAMBERS AND NELSON CHAMBERS? WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
Our first offices were located in the old court chambers on Weston road in Southend. The chambers inspiration and my initials (somewhat unimaginatively) make up the firm’s name. This cute little office randomly came with a giant walk-in safe you could probably get insured to hold a few tons of gold bullion in. It’s a reason we decided to do a brand merger.
Nelson chambers was no more imaginative, unfortunately; our next office at the time of forming the firm was in Nelson street… we take keeping it simple seriously.
DOES THIS CHANGE ANYTHING FOR THE PEOPLE USING THE SERVICES AT NELSON CHAMBERS OR FOR THE CONSULTANTS?
Nothing will change regarding the expertise of our specialist consultants or the services we offer. The only change is that of the company name. However, us capturing and sharing our market intelligence across private and public practice more efficiently, between sectors, can only benefit the law and accounting professionals we represent.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WITH THE NEW BRAND AMALGAMATION? AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS YOU EXPECT TO SEE COME FROM THIS?
The biggest challenges for the brand merger would not have been felt by myself. But by our remarkable marketing team. However, like with any change, getting buy-in from the business has been a journey.
The two markets we operate in are closely aligned and completely cross over in many areas, so we often talk to the same people cross-brand. This is why we see all customers, from NQ’s exploring the employment market to managing partners setting out disposal strategies, benefitting from a more cohesive offering.
THIS CHANGE TO THE BRAND IS PRECEDING A CHANGE IN OFFICES AS WELL. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT THE FUTURE LOCATION OF THE AJ CHAMBERS OFFICES?
Well, this continues to be one hell of a journey. I have thoroughly underestimated the detail required for a project this size. We are developing a 15,000ft area for an old supermarket into a modern collaboration, creativity and concentration space. Along with our market-leading platform and world-class L&D, the new office will be where our colleagues can thrive. While supporting our customers to do the same.
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Helpful External Resources:
Accountancy: ICAEW | Accountancy Age | Accounting Web
Law: Law Society | Law Gazette | Legal Futures
AJ Chambers Recruitment Ltd,