Forging Connections

DATE: 14.12.06   ISSUE 2, 2006
Freehills' Chief Executive Officer Gavin Bell has first-hand experience of AGSM's commitment to developing individuals and their careers.

In 1996, Mr Bell completed an MBA (Executive) at the school, kicking off a longstanding relationship between AGSM and the top-tier law firm – the two entities sharing the common goal of nurturing management talent. The relationship between AGSM and Freehills was further strengthened when Mr Bell joined AGSM’s Advisory Council in 2004.

“I enjoyed my MBA and found it very valuable so on a personal level it has been fulfilling playing a part in helping the school maintain its position and focus,” says Mr Bell who acknowledges he may be one of the few at a senior level with an MBA in the world of legal affairs. A key issue faced by law firms is attracting and retaining the best staff, Mr Bell says.

Freehills' Chief Executive Officer Gavin Bell completed an MBA (Executive) at AGSM in 1996.
Photo: Gavin Bell

“An important tool in helping to achieve this is providing a culture that nurtures the ongoing educational development of the best and brightest people.

“Freehills values providing opportunities for our talented people to further their skills and careers, who then go on to provide our clients with an even greater exceptional experience. Freehills wholeheartedly supports the AGSM’s work.”

His role on the Advisory Council, along with 50 leading business people and decision makers, including a Freehills board member and representatives from many of the firm’s clients, “has been a great opportunity to learn from, and work with, many of these people in a different environment focused on pursuing educational excellence”, according to Mr Bell.

Freehills wholeheartedly supports AGSM’s work.

As an alumnus in a leading management role, Mr Bell believes his skills and experience demonstrate a “real link” between the academic and the practical which puts him in a strong position to advise AGSM, when necessary, and to provide clients and colleagues with quality commercial advice. The firm’s association with AGSM extends to other Freehills partners and board members who have completed MBAs or executive education courses.

A number of Freehills people are currently learning at the school while others have held lecturing roles. And the association continues to grow; the firm’s Business Development team and Finance team have also benefited from AGSM experience. Freehills has also been a substantial sponsor of the school.

“At a purely commercial level we gain by that association. We are proud to be aligned with AGSM as Australia’s premier business school,” Mr Bell says.