Aaron Bott, chief technology officer at First4Lawyers
By Legal Futures First4Lawyers
First4Lawyers, the UK’s largest independent legal marketing collective, has appointed its first chief technology officer to drive forward its ambitious growth plans.
Aaron Bott brings 40 years’ commercial software experience including 25 years’ management experience in IT, technology and software development to the role. It has been specially created to help the company look at how it adopts technology and innovation as First4Lawyers develops new tools and platforms to help improve the way consumers engage with law firms online.
As demand for online services continues to rise, he will be responsible for devising and implementing a future-proof IT strategy, giving customers the tech to ensure their experience is as simple and stress-free as possible.
First4Lawyers has also confirmed that further expansion is in the pipeline, describing Aaron’s appointment as “inevitably the first” to a broader IT, technology and innovation team that will support First4Lawyers’ aims to be a market leader in full scale legal services.
Bott joins from car leasing comparison website Leasing.com and was formerly software development manager at Incora – previously Pattonair – a global provider of aerospace supply chain solutions.
He also spent three years at MoneyPlus Group Ltd, which provides financial advice and legal services, and so understands the sector and the requirements of working for an FCA-regulated business.
Aaron said: “Technology has become an integral part of our lives and never more so than over the last two years. Consumers no longer just want, but now expect services that are simple, quick and convenient to use.
“The technology to meet that need is available and it’s just about finding the right product or products for your business.
“First4Lawyers has already shown its willingness to embrace change, to be bold and adapt in order to meet customers’ needs and I’m thrilled to join at the start of such an exciting new chapter.”
In line with the firm’s new hybrid working policy, he will divide his time between its Huddersfield HQ and his home in Sheffield.
Qamar Anwar, managing director of First4Lawyers, added: “We already have a strong technical infrastructure and coupled with our position as one of the UK’s most recognised brands, this has put us in a strong position, enabling us to grow market share over the last two years. However, we always have one eye on the future and what we can be doing to make access to legal services even easier for customers.
“Aaron will play an integral part in our strategic development through a number of exciting projects, including the delivery of a new platform to enhance the consumer journey and a case management system to drive efficiencies internally, whilst also preparing for the latest planned refresh of the group’s web presence.
“We are very excited about the products we have in our pipeline that will make us a genuine disruptor brand in the way legal services are consumed.
“We are constantly striving to improve and expand the services we offer, and I know that Aaron’s experience and expertise will be invaluable. I’m delighted to welcome him on board.”
