We know moving jobs is a hassle, we’re a friendly, discreet bunch and we’ll guide you through the hiring, offer and onboarding process quickly and pain-free. Whether you’re keeping an eye on potential roles, want salary advice or you’re actively looking, drop us a line for a confidential chat with no obligations.
Meet some of our People Team
Oliver Beckett
Head of Talent Acquisition
Hey, I’m Oliver, let’s be honest, finding a new job can be a hassle and a bit of a pain, my role is to make that experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
My team’s main goal is to find great people a great place to work here at Stowe. You may come to understand that we do hiring slightly differently at Stowe, it’s a more pleasant, relaxed process that at the heart of it has what you want out of your career and what we know works at Stowe.
We know that recruitment processes are generally pretty dated and impersonal, so often, we find really talented people and then find the right place they’ll fit into our firm.
If you’d like an informal chat about careers, food, falling off bikes or Meg my Labrador you can text or Whatsapp me on 07809 724590, or email me, [email protected]
Charlie Elsworth
Talent Business Partner – London, South East, Midlands, South West and Wales
Hi, I’m Charlie, I know that speaking to a recruiter feels uneasy, I don’t take that lightly, so I enjoy personal recruitment processes. If we speak, you probably won’t realise I’m a recruiter, I’m a real person and I spend my days chatting to other real people with personalities who might be ready to push their careers a little further.
We want to work with people that aren’t generic gears in a machine that can fit in a predetermined slot. Let’s have a chat, you’ll get to know how we’re different.
I love talking about careers, food, coffee or Ralph, my labradoodle, you can text or whatsapp me on 07719422590 or email me on [email protected]
Mark Blackwell
Talent Acquisition Business Partner
Hi, I’m Mark, I enjoy spending most of my days on the phone chatting with people, talking about their career, what they want from it, how they’ll achieve it and helping them understand their value.
Deciding to speak to another business or firm can be a huge decision, I make it a personal and comfortable experience, whether you progress into a recruitment process with us, or not.
If you fancy a chat about careers, sport, Herbie my cat or DIY projects that never end, send me a text on 07517 994844 or an email on [email protected]
Lauren Jones
Talent Acquisition Advisor
Hi, I’m Lauren, finding a new job is one of the most exciting but often scariest challenges in your career, it can be a little overwhelming at times. I’m here to help you feel at ease through our recruitment journey here at Stowe, making sure you’re well informed and relaxed so you can be at your best.
My goal is to find amazing people who are passionate about Family Law. When we talk, you can expect a warm friendly voice on the other end of the phone. No matter what your career stage, I like to focus on what makes you feel happy and valued, what you want from your career, and the types of working environments you will thrive in to make sure Stowe is the right place for you, and vice versa.
I’d be delighted to tell you more about Stowe and our unique approach to offering flexibility and work-life balance, growth and progression opportunities and our friendly supportive environment.
If you’d like a chat about your next career step, holidays, or my little dog, Oscar, who gets excited when FaceTime starts ringing, you can send me a message on 07889 598354 or email me on [email protected]
Jade Cox
People Partner
Hi, I’m Jade – a People Partner here at Stowe. I work closely with the legal teams across the country, to align operational leaders with local and firm wide goals. I’m a Mental Health First Aider and passionate about both personal and professional wellbeing.
When I’m not working I’m spending time with my family, training our dog new tricks or working through our bucket list to visit as many places in the UK as we can.
Jess Illingworth
People Team Administrator
Hi, I’m Jess – I’m the People Team Administrator at Stowe. I look after the day-to-day operations of the People function by providing Admin support to the People Team, onboarding new employees, and also providing first-line support for our colleagues’ queries.
When I’m not at work, I’m usually either wrangling my two boys, eating some sort of food (and wine), or spending time with friends and family.
Meet some of our Leadership Team
Our leadership team continue to build a culture with people and innovation at the heart of decisions which fuel our growth.
Ken Fowlie
Chairman
I’m Stowe’s Chairman. I have overall responsibility for the firm’s operations and performance. I’ve been with the firm for 3 years and before that I was a senior leader in another consumer-servicing UK law firm. I have been a lawyer for more than 25 years.
Day-to-day I work with the other members of our Exec team on the shape of Stowe’s strategy and on executing our plans as we strive to create a modern law firm that is great for clients and colleagues.
I’m married with two teenage children, living in London. In my spare time, I enjoy most sports and at the moment I’m learning to row (which is harder than it looks).
Morna Bunce
Chief People Officer
More often known as Chief Problem Solver, I have been with Stowe for over 18 years when I began my career in the firm’s accounts team. A member of the Executive Team I am responsible for setting the People Strategy to not only make Stowe a great place to work but to support the firm’s exciting growth plans. I also lead the Talent and People & Culture Teams who are here to help and support colleagues at every stage of their career here at Stowe. Passionate about people and culture, I have a particular interest in promoting well-being through sustainable working practices.
When I’m not running around the office, I can be spotted out running with a local club where I’m a run leader, or running round after my little boy (when he’s not running rings around me!).
Julian Hawkhead
Senior Partner
I’m Stowe’s Senior Partner and I’ve been with the firm for over 20 years representing clients across the country and internationally, and leading our team of lawyers.
My role primarily is to lead our legal operations. As the leading family law firm we’ve developed a way of working that embraces technology, involves working more closely as teams to share our collective knowledge in more effective ways, and provide clients a better level of service and better value, making the most effective use of all the resources and talent we have within the firm.
Outside of work I play the violin and a variety of other instruments. I’m married with two teenage children; on the occasions I have some spare time I love to get out on my bike and playing or watching tennis.
Rachel Roberts
Regional Director, North
I joined Stowe as a Trainee and qualified in 2004. I’m now Regional Director for the North, leading teams in Yorkshire, the North West and the North East.
My focus is generally financial cases including cases involving substantial capital and income, both in this country and abroad, as well as complex financial, business and trust structures.
I’m an ambassador for Women in the Law, a non-profit women’s networking organisation designed to encourage, inspire and support the next generation of lawyers and women in business.
Outside of work, I’m married with young twins who keep me busy! I loves most forms of exercise and being outdoors. I’m also a keen cook and baker, and regularly test out my cakes on the other members of the Leeds office!
Jemma Slavin
Regional Director, London & South East
I qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and have specialised in family law ever since. I joined Stowe back in 2018 to open the Bristol office and have since opened Bath, Cardiff and Exeter. In 2021 I progressed into a Regional Director position and currently lead legal teams across the Midlands, South West, Wales, London and South East.
The types of cases I deal with are often heard in the High Court due to the value and complexity of the assets involved and/or an international element. I also advise on all aspects of private children law from disputes regarding child arrangements and financial claims to the relocation of children both within and outside of the jurisdiction of England and Wales.
Louise Chipchase
Regional Director, South West & Wales
I qualified as a solicitor in 2005 and have always practised in family law. I joined Stowe in 2019 to open the Cheltenham office and moved then to Managing Partner of South West & Wales, managing a team across 9 locations from Cheltenham to Plymouth and Cardiff to Swindon. I am now a Regional Director and lead teams across South West and Wales and Thames Valley.
The cases I deal with typically include issues around high income, substantial, and often complex business interests, trusts and substantial pensions. I advise on prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements and cohabitation disputes.
Meet the People who make Stowe
Our teams up and down the country build the culture at Stowe, we’re here to help each other. Read on to learn more about their experiences at Stowe.
Amy Langford
I joined Stowe in March 2021 as a Senior Associate and in early 2022 I was promoted to Partner. I mainly work in Bristol and Exeter but as a team we serve clients across the Southwest & Wales.
Within a year I’ve been given the opportunity to lead and develop the Exeter Office which opened in January 2022. I’ve also been promoted to Partner within the team focusing on management.
I feel really fortune to work for Stowe, they want you to succeed and will give you the guidance and support to do this. I’ve never felt so valued in a firm and have managers really believe in you. Stowe is a national firm with lots of offices. By focusing on growth there is a lot of potential for promotion and to build on your skills. I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of growing Exeter and the surrounding areas and working closely with our Managing Partner to make our team the best it can be.
Matt Taylor
I joined Stowe in October 2020 as a Senior Associate to set up the new Liverpool office. I had worked as family lawyer in a large law firm in Liverpool for the past five years and wanted to join a specialist family law firm where I could grow my own team.
Since that time, I’ve developed hugely, growing the Liverpool team to five people and establishing it as a key player in the city’s family law scene. I was promoted to a Team Leader Partner in May 2022 after taking part in Stowe’s in-house career development programme. The pace of change and appetite for growth, development and improvement for both employees and clients at Stowe is staggering. The firm has a real “can-do” attitude and encourages you to develop yourself and others. My role now has a large focus on helping junior lawyers to progress in their careers, which I absolutely love. This helps me, my colleagues, our clients and the firm.
Having joined Stowe throughout lockdown, I was struck by the ease with which the firm developed and maintained a supportive culture despite face-to-face contact being a rarity early on. That has led to a dynamic working policy that allows individuals to work in the best way for them – whether from home or an office and at hours that suit them and their lives. As a busy dad of two, this has been absolutely invaluable to me.
I’m excited about my future at Stowe and look forward to expanding my team further across Merseyside and beyond, developing the next generation of family lawyers.
Chantel Fenton
My name’s Chantel, I’m the Regional Team Leader for London and the South East managing a team of Legal Assistants that support solicitors across the region. I provide support, leadership and guidance to the team while they focus on providing excellent client care to our clients and flawless support in all aspects of family law to the solicitors they support.
I joined Stowe’s London office in 2014 as a PA to a Senior Associate because I wanted to work exclusively in family law, at that time Stowe only had a handful of offices. A new office opening in Victoria in 2018 gave me the opportunity to apply for an office manager role, to support the set up and running of the Victoria office.
In 2020 during Covid whilst working from home I was successful in my application to manage and support a team of Legal Assistants across the region. Our Legal Assistants assist solicitors in all aspects of a case, they draft documents and letters, attend client and counsel meetings and meet their own individual targets.
Since joining Stowe there have been so many changes and the firm continues to grow bigger and better, the culture at Stowe is faultless.
Amy Langford
I joined Stowe in March 2021 as a Senior Associate and in early 2022 I was promoted to Partner. I mainly work in Bristol and Exeter but as a team we serve clients across the Southwest & Wales.
Within a year I’ve been given the opportunity to lead and develop the Exeter Office which opened in January 2022. I’ve also been promoted to Partner within the team focusing on management.
I feel really fortune to work for Stowe, they want you to succeed and will give you the guidance and support to do this. I’ve never felt so valued in a firm and have managers really believe in you. Stowe is a national firm with lots of offices. By focusing on growth there is a lot of potential for promotion and to build on your skills. I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of growing Exeter and the surrounding areas and working closely with our Managing Partner to make our team the best it can be.
Matt Taylor
I joined Stowe in October 2020 as a Senior Associate to set up the new Liverpool office. I had worked as family lawyer in a large law firm in Liverpool for the past five years and wanted to join a specialist family law firm where I could grow my own team.
Since that time, I’ve developed hugely, growing the Liverpool team to five people and establishing it as a key player in the city’s family law scene. I was promoted to a Team Leader Partner in May 2022 after taking part in Stowe’s in-house career development programme. The pace of change and appetite for growth, development and improvement for both employees and clients at Stowe is staggering. The firm has a real “can-do” attitude and encourages you to develop yourself and others. My role now has a large focus on helping junior lawyers to progress in their careers, which I absolutely love. This helps me, my colleagues, our clients and the firm.
Having joined Stowe throughout lockdown, I was struck by the ease with which the firm developed and maintained a supportive culture despite face-to-face contact being a rarity early on. That has led to a dynamic working policy that allows individuals to work in the best way for them – whether from home or an office and at hours that suit them and their lives. As a busy dad of two, this has been absolutely invaluable to me.
I’m excited about my future at Stowe and look forward to expanding my team further across Merseyside and beyond, developing the next generation of family lawyers.
Chantel Fenton
My name’s Chantel, I’m the Regional Team Leader for London and the South East managing a team of Legal Assistants that support solicitors across the region. I provide support, leadership and guidance to the team while they focus on providing excellent client care to our clients and flawless support in all aspects of family law to the solicitors they support.
I joined Stowe’s London office in 2014 as a PA to a Senior Associate because I wanted to work exclusively in family law, at that time Stowe only had a handful of offices. A new office opening in Victoria in 2018 gave me the opportunity to apply for an office manager role, to support the set up and running of the Victoria office.
In 2020 during Covid whilst working from home I was successful in my application to manage and support a team of Legal Assistants across the region. Our Legal Assistants assist solicitors in all aspects of a case, they draft documents and letters, attend client and counsel meetings and meet their own individual targets.
Since joining Stowe there have been so many changes and the firm continues to grow bigger and better, the culture at Stowe is faultless.
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