On May 7th 2019, a selection of the Private Client Global Elite arrived at Home House, Marylebone, London to participate in the first Leadership Day.

The day combined a mixture of keynotes from leaders within the government and the highest judicial office and practical leadership tips from prominent academics, consultants, Managing Partners and Single Family Offices.

Session insight: Leadership in crisis – Thoughts from the former Attorney General

The Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, UK Interviewed by Elspeth Talbot-Rice QC, XXIV Old Buildings, UK

Whilst researching with the private client community as to who many believe to be a true “leader,” the Global Elite received several requests to hear from Dominic Grieve.

Known as being resolute in standing by his word and what he thinks is right for the UK, Grieve has famously spoken about the inherent issues behind the rule of law and Brexit, including leadership worries, at the risk of deselection.

Interviewed by Elspeth Talbot-Rice QC, XXIV Old Buildings, Dominic spoke of his upbringing, time as President of the Conservative Association at the University of Oxford and early career at the Bar, which forged his path to later standing as an MP for the Conservative Party. Touching upon the leadership skills Grieve learnt from his pupil master; resilience, a pleasant manner and focusing on the benefits of your certainness, not your doubts, was essential.

When unexpectedly asked to later become Attorney General under David Cameron’s leadership, Grieve described it as a “perfect marriage” of politics and law. Leadership as Attorney General differed greatly from practicing at the Bar, with responsibility for government lawyers and 36 independent functions. So what did Grieve learn about leadership as Attorney General? “Understand and appreciate the value of your position. Consistently remind yourself, “What are you here to do?” In a rules based system, finding solutions within that framework is crucial.”

Asking the question on the tip of everyone’s tongues, Talbot-Rice enquired as to whether the political system is broken. In response and with heartfelt passion, Grieve spoke of it not being broken, and that the political system is a resilient organism merely under great strain. Such strain further does not give rise to the need to formulate a written constitution, despite the impact of devolution and diffusion of power of late. There does however have to be reform, which only ever happens in times of crisis and after the problems have arisen… To be continued.