Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast

Episode 77

Paul Southby – Leadership and the law

SUMMARY

Paul Southby is a commercial dispute resolution lawyer whose influence reaches far beyond the courtroom and deep into the civic, cultural and business life of Nottingham.

In Episode 77 of the Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast, he reflects on more than four decades of leadership across law, business advocacy and public service.

He is a partner at Geldards LLP, a former Regional Director of the CBI and the 458th High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. His career has been defined by what he calls “finding a way” when things go wrong.

Speaking to Visiting Honorary Professor Mike Sassi, he explores leadership as problem-solving, advocacy and bridge-building.

He also reflects candidly on what he wishes he had known earlier in his career – and makes a point of highlighting the importance of staying cool under pressure.

“Behaviour is a choice,” he says. “And you can choose to be calm.”

INTRODUCTION

• Paul Southby qualified as a solicitor in 1982 after graduating from the University of Sheffield

• He began his career in London, working in commercial dispute resolution with a number of major law firms. Then in 1987 he was made a partner at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield, beginning his senior legal leadership career in complex litigation.

• Up to 2008, he held partnership roles with more leading firms, including Eversheds in Nottingham and Browne Jacobson LLP, where he spent more than a decade as a commercial litigation partner

• In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Paul stepped away from legal practice to serve as Regional Director of the CBI East Midlands, engaging directly with policymakers, senior politicians and regional business leaders.

• He returned to the law in 2010, joining Richard Nelson Solicitors, and in 2012 became a partner at Geldards LLP, where he continues to practise as a specialist in commercial dispute resolution.

• Alongside his legal career, Paul has played a prominent role in place-based leadership in Nottingham and the East Midlands.

• He has chaired Nottingham Partners, Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and the Nottingham-based Broadway Cinema. He has also served on both the Nottingham Growth Board and the Nottingham Business School Advisory Board.

• In 2022–23, he was appointed the 458th High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, one of the oldest civic roles in England and Wales. His year in office coincided with the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

• Across four decades, Paul’s impact has extended far beyond the law. He is widely recognised for strengthening Nottingham’s civic, cultural and business institutions, supporting arts organisations through Covid recovery, and championing young people.

LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS from Paul Southby

• Effective leaders focus on solutions rather than dwelling on obstacles

“It’s negligent to focus on the problem… it’s good to focus on the solution.”

• Leadership requires creativity as much as control

“’Finding a way’ is a really important component of leadership, I think.”

• Advocacy is a core leadership skill

“Speaking [up] for something is really important… every leader needs to be able to represent the cause they are working towards.”

• Calmness is not just a personality trait

“Behaviour is a choice… you can choose to be calm.”

• Leaders set the emotional tone for their organisations

“The leader sets an example for the rest of the team.”

• Winning is not always the goal. Achieving the best outcome is!

“The best possible outcome doesn’t necessarily mean that you win everything.”

• Relationships matter as much as technical competence

“We’re all in a relationship business in some way or another, aren’t we?”

• Being a leader is not about ego but about service

“Leadership is not about you. It’s about the organisation and the mission and the team.”

• Self-care is important for leaders

“Looking after yourself is not an option. It’s a responsibility.”

RELATED LINKS

Find out more about Paul Southby…

• Through his LinkedIn profile and posts

• In this piece he wrote when he was Chair of the Board of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

• From this Business Link article written when he was installed as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire

If you enjoyed this episode of the NBS Business Leaders’ Podcast with Paul Southby listen to previous episodes with…

• Former Chief Exec of the Financial Ombudsman Service Caroline Wayman

• Former Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Sir John Peace CVO, CStJ

• Social entrepreneur and youth mentor Dr Marcellus Baz BEM