ASONS SOLICITORS HAS grown into a burgeoning law firm with a workforce of almost 260 in a few years. It's a family affair, too, having been founded by Dr Imran Akram, and his brother Kamran. “In a short space of time we have grown very quickly,” Akram says. “We launched the business in a terraced house and soon had to move into our current premises in Bark Street, Bolton, bringing with us 90 staff.” The head count of the personal injury solicitors' firm has doubled every two years, so it soon had to take on yet another floor of its current home. To make room for the next 300 employees, Asons is developing a £7m building in Bolton's town centre. According to the organisation, it's the family mentality that supports employee development, and such engagement can come into effect even before employment starts. Work experience is offered to school, college and university students who can then progress onto a graduate scheme. In addition to an induction programme, everyone gets weekly training and support. An internal programme gives all staff the opportunity to actively request specific courses. Jobs at Asons are good for personal growth, according to an 84%, top-10 positive score for this statement. Staff believe the experience gained in their roles will be valuable in future (86%, just three other companies on our list scored higher). To maintain that family feel, all employees receive daily updates on individual and group successes, and team-building events are a regular feature. Staff have confidence in the leadership skills of managers (81%), feel that their bosses are open and honest with them (83%), and that they help them to fulfil their potential (76%, a top-10 result). The firm will need new skills because when the new headquarters is finished it will serve as the hub of operations for Asons, which has amibitions to develop satellite offices in Singapore, London, Dubai, New York and Pakistan. With such goals in mind, it might not be long before Asons makes our list of big Best Companies to Work For. www.asons.co.uk
