Law firm Stephens Scown has appointed its first people development director.
Mark Shepherd has extensive management experience having held a range of senior leadership roles across the John Lewis Partnership.
In addition to his professional career, Shepherd also holds senior roles within the broader business community in the south west, from his role as chair of the Greater Exeter Skills Partnership, board member of the Local Enterprise Partnerships Skills Advisory Panel and deputy wing chair of Devon and Somerset Air Cadets.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I could see from the outset that Stephens Scown has built an incredible foundation of ethics and values through its employee ownership model, which has seen them not only survive but to thrive through two incredibly challenging years.
“I look forward to nurturing our talented people so they can realise their true potential, all within an employee-owned business that puts people first and involves the workforce in key decision-making.”
Managing partner, Richard Baker, added: “Mark’s appointment will help us to forge a path through the continuing challenges of Covid and onto an exciting time of growth, new ways of working and establishing an outstanding employee experience.
“We want to make sure we retain talent of our existing employees, while attracting new people to the firm from across the region and beyond.”
