Shergroup

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Shergroup - outsourced services for legal professionals worldwide

Shergroup provides a range of outsourced legal, enforcement, security and IT services to legal professionals and corporate clients in the UK and, increasingly, around the world. The firm, which has headquarters at Braintree in Essex and operations in the UK and India, currently employs some 100 people and is rapidly expanding its business in areas such as US, Australia, Canada and other Commonwealth countries.

The group’s services include enforcement of court judgments against debtors, debt collection, recovery and repossession of land and buildings, security for land and property, as well as a range of outsourced administrative and IT solutions, such as website design, back office systems and call centre services which are proving to be transferable to a number of other countries. “The legal systems in many countries, particularly former members of the Commonwealth, are based on the English legal system, so many of the practices and procedures are similar,” says Claire Sandbrook, CEO, Shergroup. “By utilising our global IT systems and administration services, we can deliver the same services to a consistent standard to clients around the world.”

Essex has proved to be a good base for both their domestic and growing international business portfolio. “The transport infrastructure around Braintree is excellent,” says Claire Sandbrook.

“Our teams operate across the UK, so ease of travel is essential. We’ve got good roads that are just a short way from the national motorway network, and a fast train service to London and beyond. London Stansted Airport is just a short drive and it’s ideal for making return visits to Scotland or Newcastle possible within a day, as well as providing access to many of our international destinations.”

International flights are becoming more of a way of life for Shergroup. “Our administration team and software development group are based in India, so we hold regular training and project meetings there,” says Claire Sandbrook.

“There is also a busy conference programme, particularly in the US, where we can make important contacts and keep up to date with developments in the industry. With so much travelling, having an international airport in Essex is a great bonus.”

People are also vital to Shergroup’s success and Essex, sometimes known as ‘Administration Alley’has proved a valuable recruiting ground according to Claire Sandbrook.

“We depend on good quality people and we have been very successful in finding them locally. We don’t just look for legal professionals, we need good administrators and IT specialists. Essex has that broad business base and technology heritage which makes our recruitment task easier.”

Shergroup is a great example of an Essex firm which has grown from its roots in traditional legal practices to become a 21st century global knowledge-based business.