In this episode of BD Talks, Caitlin Roxburgh is joined by Deborah Farone, CEO of Farone Advisors LLC and former CMO at elite US law firms including Cravath, Swaine & Moore and Debevoise & Plimpton. 

Deborah explores the vital role BD skills play for ambitious lawyers, and how to develop them in a way that is authentic and unique to them, alongside sharing fascinating insights from her new book “Breaking Ground: How Successful Lawyers Build Thriving Practices”. 

Discover how Deborah’s innovative approach to business development can transform your strategy and learn how you can stand out in a competitive world. 

It’s our last BD Talks episode of 2025, so it’s great to have such an accomplished guest with us this month - Burges Salmon’s Chief Markets Officer, Amelia Stirling.

Amelia has worked at some of the biggest firms across the professional services sector, as a consultant and head of department, to her current C-Suite position at one of the UK’s market-leading law firms.

During this episode, Amelia explains her approach to marketing and business development within the professional services, from the importance of forging a robust personal brand to building teams that pursue bold ideas for their clients.

You’ll also learn why Amelia thinks that ‘in-person’ activity remains vital for business development at professional services firms. Listen now and join us as we pick the brains of a real leader in the world of marketing and business development.

In this month’s episode of BD Talks, we spoke to the many-hatted Rachael Wheatley, a marketing and BD expert and Co-Director of Bluegreen Learning Ltd.

During the conversation, Caitlin and Rachael discussed what valuable marketing is and how to measure marketing’s efficacy in an environment awash with trackable metrics.

Learn how and why ‘volume’ and ‘ratio’ rule the roost when it comes to measuring the value of all your marketing efforts in this episode.

In this episode of BD Talks, Caitlin Roxburgh speaks with renewable energy solicitor and community energy advocate Sonya Bedford MBE about balancing credibility with personality, why lawyers shouldn't underutilise marketing, and how storytelling can help professional services cut through short attention spans.

In this month’s episode of BD Talks, Nicholas Barrows, Director of Marketing at Trowers & Hamlins, shares how deep sector expertise and a values-led approach are reshaping marketing and business development in professional services. 

Nicholas explores the shift towards client-centric strategies grounded in genuine market understanding and highlights the importance of consistency over uniformity when leading global teams. He discusses the role of diversity and inclusion as a business enabler, the nuances of personal branding for partners, and how technology — particularly AI — is opening new creative opportunities for BD professionals. 

In this month’s episode of BD Talks, Laura Ottley, Chief Marketing Officer at Addleshaw Goddard, shares her insights on the evolving role of marketing in driving international business growth.  

Laura discusses the positive shift from product-pushing to client-focused strategies, the impact of AI on marketing, and the importance of cultural sensitivity. She also offers advice on building strong relationships, earning trust with stakeholders, and navigating challenges in leadership. 

In this month’s episode of BD Talks, Nicola Stopps, founder of Simply Sustainable, discussed how sustainability is now a critical driver for business growth, attracting talent and customers while ensuring long-term success.  

Nicola emphasised the importance of addressing both social and environmental challenges, the growing role of leadership in sustainability, and the need for businesses to prepare for stricter future regulations on climate change. 

In this month’s episode of BD Talks, we’re joined by Andy Haigh, Partner at Translink Corporate Finance. Andy shares his journey from a technical role in accountancy to becoming a leader who values interpersonal connections, mentorship, and business development. 

Andy also discusses the challenges and successes of rebranding from BHP to Translink  and the firm’s focus on selecting clients who align with their values.  

This month, our BD Talks podcast guest is Kim Sare, Chartered Financial Planner at Guided Financial. Kim walks us through her journey from establishing her first business, Parafinity, to founding Guided Financial, driven by a desire for fulfilment after a personal wakeup call.  

Kim highlights the evolution of financial services, emphasising the importance of accessibility and mindset when seeking professional advice.  

Also, learn what trends in digital marketing and client engagement are reshaping how financial services providers connect with clients, and how Kim’s commitment to ESG principles influences her approach. 

In the latest episode of BD Talks, Caitlin Roxburgh speaks with Alex Knapp about the importance of social impact when it comes to business development in professional services.

Firms with clear ESG/CSR initiatives stand out and attract both clients and top talent, so how do you get started?