Posted on: October 24th, 2025 by Ella Darnell
As Chief Financial Officer at Lawrence Stephens, I bring over 25 years of extensive experience in private equity, corporate finance, and strategic financial leadership to drive the growth and operational excellence of the business. My focus is on leveraging innovative financial strategies, fostering disciplined performance management, and supporting scalable growth initiatives.
Prior to this role, I held senior financial positions at a range of private equity-backed companies, including most recently at Dains Accountants. My background includes leading financial transformations, M&A activities, system integrations and data cube implementations that enhance operational efficiency and support strategic objectives. I am passionate about building sustainable financial models and embedding a culture of continuous improvement, all while maintaining a keen eye on risk management and value creation.
I look forward to working with the team to shape a resilient, innovative, and growth-focused future for the business.
Outside of work, I am a keen golfer and run a highly utilised dad’s taxi service to my kids.
Posted on: July 16th, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I am a L&D enthusiast who happened upon the legal industry back in 2006, and have remained here ever since (with a few breaks for parental leave thrown in). I started out working at a large, international firm with big budgets and scope, and have gradually gravitated towards smaller, independent firms over the years, such as Farrer & Co and Stevens & Bolton.
I enjoy growing the L&D function as the firm grows, and developing L&D programmes and solutions to enable and empower groups and individuals to progress through their careers. I find the current focus on managing this alongside wellbeing and positive mental health both fascinating and an exciting challenge. Here at Lawrence Stephens, I thrive on the shared commitment to support and develop people with structured, timely and relevant L&D initiatives throughout their time here – from early careers all the way through to retirement.
Away from my desk, I can be found getting mildly competitive with my nearest and dearest on the tennis court, or taking part in some sort of activity or experience that involves group euphoria: be that in the middle of a muddy field at a music festival, bouncing around in a step class, watching a comedy/theatre show, or singing in a choir. Alternatively, I am equally fond of a more restful binge of a thriller boxset.
Posted on: June 30th, 2025 by Alanah Lenten
I’m a senior business development and marketing executive with a background in art direction and an MSc in Marketing, specialising in consumer psychology. My career has spanned the legal, tech, hospitality and consultancy sectors, always with a focus on strategic creativity and meaningful client connection.
With a degree in graphic design from Falmouth University and a Masters from the University of Exeter, I bring a design-led mindset to the business of law, using brand strategy and creative problem-solving to drive growth and engagement. I’m particularly passionate about partnering with founder-led businesses and making complex legal services more accessible, engaging and human.
At Lawrence Stephens, I support the firm’s Private Wealth, Owner-Managed Business and Regulatory teams, while also contributing to the international practice and overall brand strategy. I’m co-editor of The FinePrint — our thought leadership platform for founder-led businesses. A committed networker and relationship builder, I believe the best business development is personal, purposeful and collaborative.
Outside of work, I’m an avid reader — I’ve kept a book diary since the age of seven — and a keen hiker, always open to new trail recommendations.
Posted on: December 13th, 2024 by Natasha Cox
I am a HR professional with over six years’ experience in the legal sector. I joined Lawrence Stephens in March 2023 to run the HR function after coming from roles within Early Careers and Learning & Development at Simmons & Simmons.
Lawrence Stephens is a fast-growing firm and I am focused on maintaining a strong service for our employees and fostering a supportive and thriving workplace and culture.
We have a growing HR team providing proactive, personal advice to people and management, while driving positive change and building new processes at the same time.
Outside of work, I am an enthusiastic amateur rower and enjoy working out a good ‘whodunit’.
Posted on: December 12th, 2024 by Natasha Cox
I am a business development and marketing professional with long experience of the legal sector. Previous roles include assignments at a number of major law firms and most recently led on the creation and development of the Charles Russell Speechlys and then Howard Kennedy law firm brands and the implementation of their go-to-market approaches.
My role is both operational and strategic, ensuring that we do things as efficiently, accurately and consistently as possible, encouraging collaboration across our internal boundaries, joining the dots and helping steer the firm’s growth.
A technocrat, I am keen to utilise technology to help us engage with our audiences better and provide insight to help us make better decisions.
Outside of work I am a keen but very amateur cyclist, fisherman and gardener, but not very successful at any of these.
Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox
I joined Lawrence Stephens as COO in September 2022 with over 30 years’ experience in the legal industry having held senior roles in Allen & Overy and Bird & Bird.
I am dedicated to ensuring our clients are provided with the best service through the effectiveness of our people and processes.
I spent my first ten years as a lawyer advising on employment and litigation, in private practice and in-house. I moved into firm management to get closer to decision-making. I have spent the last 20 years working to better understand the motivation of people in various types of firms in HR, Project Management and COO roles. This has helped me guide firms and the people in them to do their best work for their clients.
I am involved in a number of charities focusing on education and career opportunities in the City and locally – though I admit to spending more time watching rugby and ‘tasting’ wine. Before the beginning of each week, I try and enjoy running and cycling as well as removing motor oil from beneath my fingernails.
