Susan Glenholme, managing partner of Debenhams Ottaway, wins the Business Leader of the Year award at the St Albans Chamber of Commerce Community Business Awards on Wednesday 30 September 2020.
Whilst Susan has grown turnover and increased profitability significantly since taking over as managing partner in 2018, she is better known for her commitment to excellence, her clients and the Debenhams Ottaway team. She has demonstrated that she has the leadership, interpersonal and organisational skills necessary to achieve her goal of growing the firm into a stronger and healthier business for the next generation of lawyers and business support leaders. In the last six months she has done an extraordinary job of keeping the team together, looking after the clients and making the most of some of the rare benefits of Covid-19 from embracing the flexibility that working from home provides for the team, to the environmental benefits of a new paperlite approach and online meetings.
Susan projects energy, focus and a strong ambition for everyone to achieve their potential at work and is well respected across the firm. She has time for everyone, from the team at Debenhams Ottaway to her many contacts and friends in the business community, as well as clients.
Staff comments, “I enjoy working with Susan, she is a kind, empathetic and an approachable leader and always makes the time to listen to you. Susan is open to new suggestions and ideas on how the firm can improve and go forward, which makes you feel part of the team and part of decisions for the firm’s future.”
“Susan has always lead by example and her passion to drive Debenhams Ottaway forward and embrace how we approach the practice of law during such unprecedented times is a true inspiration and I am delighted and excited to be part of this journey and vision that Susan guides us toward.”
“Susan is a clear, calm and level-headed leader of Debenhams Ottaway. Susan has the utmost respect from all at the Firm and continues to steer us in the right direction through her leadership.”
Managing Partner, Susan Glenholme comments: “I am absolutely delighted to have won the St Albans Chamber of Commerce Business Leader award. I could not have done it without my fantastic team at Debenhams Ottaway, and I am very proud of what we have achieved together. It is a real pleasure to be a part of these awards, and I would like to thank the chamber for organising another great event, despite the difficulties of getting together at the moment.”
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners at the St Albans Business Community awards.
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.
Related insights
Top tips for managing supply chain risk and compliance
For many SMEs, suppliers are critical to day-to-day operations. But when something goes wrong, particularly involving data or cybersecurity, the impact can be significant and often difficult to recover from…
Read moreSpring clean your property plans: get prepared for buying or selling your home
Spring is often seen as a time for fresh starts, and that applies just as much to your property arrangements as it does to your home. Whether you are planning…
Read moreThinking of selling your business? Here’s how to get it right
If selling your business has been sitting on the “maybe someday” list, you’re not alone. Although the wider economic climate remains cautious, there are always owners who need or want…
Read moreDebenhams Ottaway’s Employment Law Round Up – April 2026
Click the links below to read more about some recent and upcoming changes in employment law: Job offer imposed obligations restricting employer’s right of withdrawal Government proposes to prevent misuse…
Read moreManaging disputes and protecting your cash flow
Disputes are an unfortunate but common part of running a business. Late payment, disagreements over contract terms or a breakdown in a trading relationship can be commonplace and can often…
Read more