Joanna Kingston-Davies, our Chief Operating Officer, has received national recognition in the UK’s 50 Leading Lights list, a list compiled by the prestigious Women of the Future Programme.

Announced on World Kindness Day, November 13, the Leading Lights showcases 50 leaders who are building a new status quo, impacting others through kindness and creating a culture of kindness and acceptance in business. The campaign seeks to recast the perceptions of ‘strong’ leadership by reframing kindness as a strength in leadership, and as a quality and currency that empowers positive change.

Making a positive difference through the practice of law is our core ethos, we are proud to be a firm that challenges the traditional legal model. Being innovative in today’s legal and business climate requires disruptive leadership and, in a sector that can sometimes be cold and competitive, we believe that the most disruptive leadership is one that is founded on kindness and integrity.

Joanna joined Jackson Lees Group in 2006 and has over 20 years’ experience in law firm leadership. Her approach embraces and nurtures change as a positive force. By spending time with staff and encouraging honesty and transparency, Joanna has been able to include all 280 of us in the firm’s vision of the future.

Under Joanna’s leadership, we have seen the appointment of a Head of Client Experience and Head of Culture & Engagement, bringing the wellbeing of both clients and colleagues to the fore. Creating a positive working environment that supports and enables the wellbeing of its team is a key priority and we deliver a number of impactful training and personal development programmes to ensure our people are empowered to thrive.

Joanna said:

I’m so honoured to have been recognised alongside these brilliant leaders with this award that recognises the importance of kindness in our working world. Compassionate, empathic leaders can have a hugely positive impact in enabling change and creating environments where people are empowered and inspired to fulfil their potential and it’s vital that the UK’s corporate culture and its leadership reflects this.

In today’s fast-paced and relatively unstable world, togetherness has never been so important.  We are stronger, better and healthier together than alone. A true sense of team and collective responsibility can be so easily nurtured and grown through kindness and compassion in leadership.  

A happy and engaged team will always give more of themselves, be more productive and have more fun!  Kindness is good for our mental health and fosters a positive working environment which in turn allows our people to have a much greater impact on themselves, their clients and their communities.  We have one core value in our business – making a positive difference – a value based upon kindness which sits at the heart of everything we do.

Brian Cullen said:

Kindness is a core value of our firm and one that is deeply woven into our business culture across all of our operations. We are so proud of Joanna and all that she has achieved. She has been hugely instrumental in shaping the amazing culture that we have at Jackson Lees Group and is a wonderful example to our next generation.

Joanna demonstrates an incredible level of talent and commitment to ensuring we are doing everything possible to create a brilliant working environment and make our firm the very best it can be for all our people, clients, and community. It is brilliant to see her kindness, empathy, and outstanding leadership celebrated with this national recognition.

We're all so proud of you Joanna and cannot think of anyone more deserving!