Meet the team

Harvey Sondh catches up with CILEX Journal to talk about his career and why he decided to join CILEX as Chief Growth Officer

What does your role as Chief Growth Officer involve?

My responsibilities at CILEX are broad ranging as I oversee our membership services, teams who generate new business, the marketing of our proposition as well as identifying and developing new products and markets for CILEX.  I have the privilege of implementing our new look brand both internally and externally and for the wider reputation of the organisation.

Tell us a bit more about your background? How did you come to work at CILEX?

I’ve always been drawn to roles that I felt had a wider purpose, especially within society. I initially qualified as a pharmacist, later moving on to work at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, an organisation that is at the forefront of quality healthcare provision, focused on patients and customers.

I started out in marketing and commercial publishing roles, eventually becoming Director of Innovation and Enterprise with a focus on growing both the professional and commercial areas of the organisation.

I was attracted to the role at CILEX because it was clearly a progressive organisation with a clear vision. There was a real willingness to push for change, to speak out and challenge inequality and discrimination. I spoke to a number of members during my research into CILEX and was impressed by the alternative path into the law they had taken, the hard work so many had put in, and the depth of their specialist knowledge. A huge draw for me was the opportunity to support aspiring legal professionals to become the best they can be, whilst helping them overcome the many obstacles and challenges they face every day.

What is a typical day like for you?

The last 18 months have been anything but typical. However, it’s important to have some structure and routine, so I tend to start my working day with a look at the news to find out what’s happening in law and education. I’ll also look at how CILEX is performing, by looking at our sales figures and press coverage. The majority of my day is spent with colleagues in meetings to steer key projects and initiatives, particularly the CPQ which has been a key priority for me since I started in the role last year.

Joining CILEX during a pandemic has meant all of my meetings and interactions with the team have been virtual. It’s been a challenge but we have come up with effective ways of working together remotely. It’s important to take time out when you’re working from home so I try to block out time to check in with my team and to get outside every day for some fresh air.

What are you working on at the moment?

Since launching the CPQ I have been working with our sales and marketing teams to continually engage members, employees and new customers on what the new qualification has to offer.  My other key priorities at the moment are getting ready for a website redesign, the roll out of the new CILEX brand and strengthening our membership proposition.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Probably the sense of achievement, be it an inspiring marketing campaign, generating new business or hearing from our members who are successfully progressing their careers through CILEX. A lot my energy comes from working with others and the buzz you get from working in collaboration to achieve the same outcome. CILEX has a passionate and talented team who place our members at the centre of what we do. We recognise we can always do more and it’s great to see the work we are doing on their behalf, within public affairs as well as our membership and qualification offer, is starting to bear fruit.

It’s hugely satisfying to be able to work in a job where there is so much potential for progress and the ambition to make a real difference in the legal profession.

What do you like to do away from your job to relax or have fun? 

We have two young children, so a lot of our time is taken up entertaining them and helping them with schoolwork and various other activities. The recent lockdowns has also meant I’ve become a dab hand at cooking and we’ve added an energetic new puppy to the mix, who is now firmly the centre of family.

Other than that, I’ve recently signed up to have boxing lessons, which is an excellent way of relieving stress as well as keeping fit.

We enjoy travelling when we can – preferably somewhere hot and sunny. I’m hoping my next holiday won’t be too far off.