Kevin Dillon’s consultancy contract with Setfords means he can train like a professional athlete alongside his legal work. He’s recently been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Masters Athletics Championships, the pinnacle event in his sport.
“This is the big one in masters athletics, our ‘Olympic Games’ if you like. I am thrilled and honoured to be selected for the British team.”
Kevin’s path to Setfords started almost by chance, reading a job listing in the Law Society Gazette at a point when he’d reached a stage in life where he no longer wanted to work long hours every day. It’s allowed him to build his working life around a second, high-powered career as an international masters athlete.
“Consultancy with Setfords has exceeded anything I had imagined and is perfect for me at my time of life.”
Two years ago, Kevin finished agonisingly close to the podium’s top step, beaten by less than a quarter of a second. This time, he wants to turn that silver into gold.
“The challenge ahead is awesome and daunting as the best masters athletes on the planet go head to head. I am excited, confident, and ready but, at the same time, apprehensive, nervous and a little bit scared.”
Since joining Setfords, Kevin has restructured his days around training rather than squeezing it in around work, something he says would have been unthinkable in a conventional employed role. In winter, he can run in daylight hours instead of cold, wet evenings, and when he’s selected for GB duty, he doesn’t have to worry about whether he has enough leave to cover it. He works entirely from home, running his consultancy from an apartment that doubles as his office. He keeps his days productive simply by staying organised, whatever hours he chooses to work.
Kevin doesn’t have to manage all of this alone.
“The support structure is unlike anything I have experienced in the past. Setfords seem to have all the bases covered from superb secretarial and administrative back up to IT and general technical help and wellbeing. Having this level of support allows us consultants to work freely and use our time more efficiently.”
Freed from the pressure of fixed billing targets, he’s also found he has more control over his earnings, working as much or as little as suits him week to week. It’s a level of independence, Kevin says, that extends beyond the day-to-day and into how he balances his career with the rest of his life. For most consultants, he says, that probably means quality time with family. For him, it means something different, but no less important: the chance to chase a world title.
“If I can find my best form to turn that silver medal into gold, the next few weeks might, just might, give me the best day in my life of the last ten years.”
For anyone considering leaving employed practice for the flexibility Kevin has found at Setfords, his advice is simple.
“Don’t hesitate. Go for it.”
If Kevin’s story has made you curious about what consultancy with Setfords could look like for you, then contact us today to learn more.
