As we near the end of a landmark year following the gradual return to ‘normality’ post-Covid, we grab 60 seconds with Clare Peckett, head of family law at Switalskis, in an exclusive for the published group of online newspapers, reflecting on 2022…

After a difficult time for many businesses during the pandemic, what was your primary objective at the start of the year?
To continue to make the business fit for the merger of the Switalskis group’s three businesses – Switalskis Solicitors, Atherton Godfrey and Pryers – into one business, by creating the correct structure and making key senior appointments to the team, including Heads of HR, Marketing and IT. 

Looking back on 2022, what have been the 3 biggest highlights for Switalskis?

• Consolidating our relationship with Virgin Money, to create an even sounder financial future.
• The appointment of new Directors, some of whom have developed internally and some from outside the business, bringing experience, ideas and energy to the director group.
• David Greenwood – Switalskis’ Head of Child Abuse Compensation Claims team – being named Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year for his dedication to his Child Abuse clients.

And the most difficult challenge for your business?
Recruitment.

If you had to sum up 2022 in one word, which would you use?
Busy.

What’s Switalskis Solicitor’s key goal for next year? 
Merging three businesses into one to create a great place to work.

Name another Yorkshire firm that you hope will have an outstanding year in 2023
Any business that is treating their staff fairly and paying its taxes.

How do you think the regional business climate will fare overall?
It is going to be tough. Interest rates rising and the escalating cost of living putting pressure on businesses and their staff. A lack of skilled staff to fill roles. Those heavy users of energy are really going to struggle. I foresee troubling times ahead for many. 

It’s perhaps the first opportunity to celebrate a ‘real’ Christmas post-Covid – what will it look like for you?  
We help with The Christmas Dinner – for young people who would otherwise spend the day alone. We will decorate the room and prepare food in advance then clean up on Boxing Day. On Christmas day we will probably do a Parkrun or walk our greyhound before my husband cooks a roast pork dinner with his excellent crackling and roast potatoes.

What’s the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever been given?
A MasterChef recipe book. I didn’t recognise most of the ingredients, let alone have an idea how to cook them.

Describe Christmas at your house, in three words
Eat, walk, eat.