This quarter, we pose the questions to Graham Sweeney – Managing Partner at Schofield Sweeney
Tell us about the day-to-day life of your job?
No two days are the same. I spend a lot of my time in meetings and on calls, with colleagues, clients, suppliers or other organisations, as well as fitting in everything else that needs to be done. Makes the days varied and pass very quickly!
What excites you about your job?
Seeing the business and the team grow and develop. Being able to look back at how things have progressed and being able to say that we made that happen.
What is the proudest moment of your career?
I’ve switched career directions a few times, so it is difficult to pick a single one. We recently hosted an event at Bradford Live, and seeing the firm’s name on the big screen on the front of the Odeon was special.
Graham Sweeney at the Bradford Professionals Network at Bradford Live
If you knew someone was wanting to get into your industry, what advice would you give them?
Law is a really varied sector, so they need to have an idea of where they want to head. Do they want to be working for a commercial firm like us that mainly looks after a business’s legal needs or dealing with more personal legal services. They also need to be able to get on with a diverse group of people and be prepared to work hard.
What makes a good boss?
I don’t like the word boss, but if you are in a leadership role you need to be able to listen to colleagues and support them to develop and help to get the best from them. Also, take responsibility when things go badly, and thank the team when they are going well.
What is it you love about Bradford?
I always use the same word to sum up Bradford – Community. All different sizes of businesses and other groups interact in a way that doesn’t happen in other places, so you end up knowing lots of people from a whole range of walks of life. It’s difficult to walk across the City Centre, or go to an event, and not meet someone you know or see a friendly face.
Who is your idol and why?
My dad. He left school at 14 to go out to work, served in the army as a regular soldier from 17, then after that joined post office and worked his way from being a postman to postmaster at Ilkley Post Office, always anting the best for his family. He was also able to get on with anyone from any background.
Name 4 people dead or alive you would like to go to dinner with.
Freddie Mercury, Ricky Gervais, Ian Wright & Jim Al-Khalili
What is your favourite book?
The Algebraist by Iain M Banks
What do you do to unwind after a long day in the office?
We always eat together as a family in the evening so can catch up on each other’s days, always help to put everything into perspective.
What would your superpower be?
The ability to manipulate time. With so much going on sometimes—balancing work commitments and making time for family—I often wish I could pause the clock, rewind to learn from the past, or fast-forward to see how things turn out. Being able to stretch out the key moments, or revisit big decisions, would be priceless.
What is your happy song?
You Can’t Always Get What You want by the Rolling Stones – it seems to keep cropping up at pertinent moments in my life!
If you could retire tomorrow what would be the first thing you’d do?
Travel around Europe in a campervan – I keep having to stop my wife ordering one as it is!
Tell us a joke!
A friend of mine always wanted to be run over by a steam train. When it happened, he was chuffed to bits.
ABOUT SCHOFIELD SWEENEY
Schofield Sweeney is a leading UK law firm founded in 1998, with offices in Bradford, Leeds, Huddersfield, and London. The firm provides a full range of legal services to businesses, individuals, and public sector organizations, including corporate and commercial law, real estate transactions, dispute resolution, employment and HR advice, and private client services such as wills and succession planning.
They also specialize in areas like education law, environmental compliance, energy and renewables, Islamic finance, and restructuring and insolvency.
Known for their clear communication and commercial approach, Schofield Sweeney is ranked in the Chambers UK Guide for expertise in corporate/M&A, real estate litigation, employment, planning, and insolvency. Their client base spans owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, and public sector bodies, with a reputation for tailored solutions and strong sector knowledge.
Website:schofieldsweeney.co.uk
