The Katchr Podcast

Law firm data teams are increasingly being asked to do more than produce reports. They are expected to support transformation, improve decision making, reduce complexity and build trust in the information the business relies on. In this episode of the Katchr Podcast, Graham speaks with Gareth Powell, Group Data Officer at Irwin Mitchell, about what it takes to build data capability that is trusted, adopted and useful across the firm. 

Is your law firm really ready for AI, or are you building the roof before the foundations? In this episode of the Katchr Podcast, Graham is joined by Raj Boora, Global Head of Data at Pinsent Masons, to explore why data governance, ownership and accountability are becoming critical as firms accelerate their adoption of AI. 

What would you keep, and what would you change, if you were building a law firm from scratch today? In this episode of the Katchr Podcast, we are joined by Alex McPherson, founder and partner of Ignition Law, to explore how the firm has been deliberately designed around a different model: flexible working, business development discipline, recurring revenue, clear incentives and a strong focus on SME clients. 

Today, the Finance Systems role has moved beyond technical stewardship of the finance system. It demands strategic oversight of SaaS vendors, cloud migrations, data models, dashboards, and cross-firm governance. In this episode of the Katchr Podcast we are joined by Ashley Maw who explains how Bird & Bird transitioned from static financial reports to interactive Power BI dashboards serving partners, sector leads, and country heads.

Ashley discusses the realities of adoption, why finance teams crave stability even while innovation accelerates, and how to strike that balance. The conversation also explores how AI is beginning to reshape billing compliance and reporting workflows, and what firms must get right in their data estate before AI can deliver real value.

For UK law firm finance systems leaders, this episode offers a candid look at the pressures, opportunities, and skills required to lead finance transformation in 2026 and beyond.

About Ashley

Ashley is the Head of Finance Systems at Bird & Bird, an international law firm known for its focus on technology and the digital world.

He is responsible for overseeing the firm’s financial technology infrastructure and driving digital transformation within the finance department and more widely throughout the firm.

With nearly 25 years’ experience implementing legal financial systems and solutions in all sizes of firms on both the law firm and software supplier side, Ashley applies a pragmatic approach to meeting the various challenges faced by large international law firms.

Connect
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-maw-36185b10/
https://www.twobirds.com/en

In this episode of Katchr Podcast, Graham Moore speaks with Hywel Pegler, Director at RSM UK and a long-standing adviser to law firms on financial performance, compliance, and strategic change. Reflecting on 2025, Hywel shares a finance leader’s view of how the legal sector has navigated economic volatility, regulatory pressure, investor interest, and accelerating technology change. 

Looking back at what firms experienced over the last year, this conversation explores the financial and strategic signals law firm leaders should carry forward as they plan for 2026. From interest income masking operational inefficiencies, to the growing role of private equity, funding for AI investment, rising regulatory scrutiny, and the need for clearer long-term strategy, Hywel highlights where finance leaders saw progress and where risks quietly built up.

A useful reflection for finance leaders who want to turn recent lessons into better planning, stronger governance, and more confident decision-making in the years ahead.

With Robert Camp – former Managing Partner & employee-ownership pioneer

The traditional law-firm partnership model is under pressure. In conversation with former Stephens Scown managing partner Robert Camp, we unpack why the classic model falls short in today’s legal market — from staff disengagement to leadership handover risks. Robert shares honest insight into cultural challenges, succession planning and what it takes to embed values that support growth and engagement. A must-listen for managing partners, firm boards and anyone thinking about ownership structure, culture or future-proofing their firm. 

 With Andrew Allen – Partner & Head of Legal Sector at PKF Francis Clark

More reports don’t make your firm more profitable — better data does. Andrew Allen joins Graham Moore to explain why financial reporting remains a pain point at many law firms and which KPIs really matter. From flawed time capture to unclear partner behaviour, we highlight the practices that destroy accountability — and show how clear, targeted data can turn month-end chaos into confident decision making. Ideal for finance directors, CFOs and firm leaders seeking clarity and control.