Rowena Bartlett

Title: Energy relationship manager
Department: Business development
Location: London

Following a Social Sciences and Administration degree (BA Hons) at Goldsmiths College, London combined with Registered General Nursing at The Royal London Hospital, I took the Post Graduate Diploma in Law and LPC at Nottingham Law School.

I joined Herbert Smith in May 2008 after working in a Birmingham law firm as a lawyer and then taking an internal secondment into their client development team. The key reason I switched from being a lawyer was to take on a more commercial role. As Herbert Smith's energy relationship manager, I maintain a client-facing role but I am able to take a step back and to look strategically at how we are developing our global client relationships.

Herbert Smith’s approach suits the way I like to work – challenging, friendly and based firmly on teamwork. The firm is forward thinking and encourages the development of new ideas, which are always listened to and often tried out.

There is an expectation and freedom for each person to take responsibility for their work, which creates the ideal environment for growth on a personal and professional level. The firm also has a well-founded reputation for innovation, which is expressed in encouraging you to look at different ways of doing things – both to help drive the firm forward and to contribute to society. This, in turn, helps everyone here to develop new skills and enjoy a range of experiences.

Through my work, I have increased my market and industry knowledge.  This, in turn, has enhanced my commercial awareness and encouraged me to explore and run with new ideas.  All of which makes for a very rewarding career.