Stephen McNicol - Managing Partner

Expert profile 

Stephen is managing partner, leads the Banking and Recovery, Restructuring and Insolvency teams and is recognised as a leader in his field by Chambers UK.

He trained with Muckle LLP and moved to London when 2 years qualified to join Lovells, where he worked in one of the City's leading business restructuring and insolvency teams for nearly 4 years.  He also spent 9 months on secondment at Deloitte where he worked as part of their Insolvency Services team and was involved in a number of significant trading administrative receivership appointments.  Stephen returned to the North East to become a partner and lead our banking and recovery, restructuring and insolvency practice areas in September 2000.  He was appointed managing partner in August 2004.

"Although we are currently working in challenging economic times I firmly believe that there is real opportunity for those firms who are crystal clear on their strategy, have the right people and who are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get on with it.  We have a superb team of people who all recognise the huge opportunity that we have to create a very different business model and capitalise on the lack of differentiation in the legal services sector at the moment."

"My main responsibility is to plan the continued development of our business.  The partners and our people have the talent and enthusiasm to help us deliver against our strategy – my job is to get the very best out of them.  We remain focused on creating one of the best independent regional law firms with outstanding strengths in our key service areas:

• Commercial services
• Property services
• Corporate finance and advisory work
• Employment services
• Dispute resolution
• Public Sector
• Private Client

How do we do that?  By distinguishing ourselves through our commitment to and unsurpassed delivery of client service excellence.'

Stephen's specialisms:

• Acquisition finance
• Raising finance
• Business restructuring
• Corporate insolvency

In the hot seat ...

How do you see the firm developing over the next few years?
This is a really difficult question to answer, particularly when you consider the current economic backdrop and the impact that almost every business sector is experiencing. My very strong view is that in the short term a strong, clear strategy is required; a strategy that is understood by everyone in the business who in turn each know what they need to do to help deliver against that strategy. Even in the current climate our existing strategy stands firm. Focus on the areas in which we are very strong and continue to develop those that we identified 18-24 months ago as growth areas. We have invested wisely in sectors which continue to show real potential for our business and we will continue to do that in a measured way. Whilst doing that we have to be in a position to capitalise any recovery which begins in any of our core or growth practice areas. Our size and the quality of our people will enable us to do that.

How would you describe the people at Muckle LLP?
They are great!  We ask a lot of them; not just as lawyers and client support team members but also as business men and women.  We expect them to understand the commercial world that our clients operate in and to apply their legal and client management skills as business advisers.  We also expect them to understand the way we run our business and to contribute as much as they can.  We have a great blend of talent, technical ability, personality and character and a real enthusiasm for what we are trying to achieve.

Why did you choose to work at Muckle LLP?
After my degree I took a year out to decide whether I wanted to go to the bar or become a solicitor.  My contemporaries had worked in Newcastle for 12 months and urged me to look at Muckle LLP.  They told me it was different.  It wasn't as big as other law firms but was competing very successfully in its chosen areas of specialism; it had a hunger and desire to succeed and that made it stand out.  They thought I'd enjoy the challenge:I did - and still do!

What's the best piece of advice you've had?...and what's the worst?
The best piece of advice that I think I have had is that your business is only as good as your people. That is particularly relevant to any professional services business. If you have people who understand their roles, are enthusiastic about the business, who want to do the best possible job that they can and are prepared to have some fun while they do it that is an extremely powerful combination. The worst piece of advice: "Don't worry, it will sort it self out".  

Are you a morning or evening person?
Morning. I love the peace and quiet. I get into the office early which gives me a good start to the day with time to really get on with things, hopefully creating some time to get home and see my family in the evening. 

Describe how you live your life in 3 words.
One hundred percent

What do you most enjoy about living in the North East?
Everything! 

Which 4 famous people dead or alive would you like to take to dinner?
Bill Shankley, John F Kennedy, Sir Richard Attenborough and Marilyn Monroe.  I would also ask Ray Mears and Ian Fleming to turn up an hour late on the assumption that JFK and Marilyn may not stay for the entire evening!

Who or what makes you laugh?
My children and Michael MacIntyre.

Direct line: 0191 211 7904
Email Stephen