Seema Jones, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer at Town Legal LLP
In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana welcomes Seema Jones, CFO & COO at Town Legal LLP.
Seema shares her journey from her upbringing in Manchester and Bolton to holding dual executive roles at a leading law firm. She offers candid insights on the transition from management to leadership, the power of networks, and the importance of resilience and continuous learning.
Seema discusses her varied career across global corporations, SMEs, and the public sector, highlighting the value of adaptability, the impact of mentoring, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. She also reflects on the evolving landscape of professional services, including the rise of AI and the critical role of culture in attracting and retaining talent.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Early life and education
Seema’s upbringing in Manchester and Bolton, her early interest in business, and her formative experiences during a placement at Arthur Andersen.
Career foundations
The transition from audit and consultancy at Arthur Andersen to industry roles at ConocoPhillips and United Utilities, and the lessons learned from working in both large multinationals and SMEs.
Building a career in professional services
How Seema navigated moves across sectors and countries, leveraging her network and adaptability to seize new opportunities.
Leadership vs. Management
Seema’s reflections on the difference between managing tasks and leading people, and how leadership training (including the Covey model) shaped her approach.
Mentorship and networking
The role of both formal and informal mentoring throughout Seema’s career, and her commitment to paying it forward.
Intentional career growth
Taking ownership of career decisions, seeking out learning opportunities, and the importance of self-reflection and outcome-focused thinking.
Coping with pressure
Honest perspectives on resilience, vulnerability, and the realities of balancing senior roles with family life.
Continous learning
Seema’s passion for lifelong learning, the value of in-person experience, and embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth.
Culture and retention
The importance of building a strong, authentic culture in professional services, and how this underpins both attraction and retention of talent.
Navigating change
Insights on the impact of AI, rising costs, and economic uncertainty on the professional services sector.
Key Takeaways
Own your journey
Take responsibility for your career path and be proactive in seeking opportunities.
Networks matter
Building and nurturing relationships is vital for personal and professional growth.
Mentorship is powerful
Both giving and receiving mentorship can shape careers and foster resilience.
Leadership is influence
True leadership is about inspiring and motivating others, not just managing tasks.
Resilience is essential
A positive mindset and adaptability are crucial for navigating challenges.
Continous improvement
Never be complacent—strive to leave roles and teams better than you found them.
Culture is a differentiator
A strong, authentic culture attracts and retains the best people.
Embrace change
Stay open to new technologies and ways of working, and be willing to adapt.
Key Quotes
“Resilience is not an option as a leader. It has to be part of the toolkit.”
“You have to take ownership of your career and decide what you want.”
“Leadership is more about influencing and inspiring people, while management is about getting things done.”
“Networks are invaluable—not just for opportunities, but for support and sounding boards.”
“You don’t get experience until you experience something. Mistakes are how you learn.”
“Treat everyone with respect—you never know where people’s journeys will take them.”
“You have to find people you genuinely trust and can open up to.”
“You’ve got one life—just go for it.”
About Seema Jones
Seema is CFO & COO at Town Legal, where she leads both financial and operational strategy. Known for her adaptability, resilience, and collaborative leadership, Seema is passionate about continuous learning, mentoring, and building strong cultures where teams thrive. She is a champion of leveraging networks and embracing change in the evolving professional services landscape.
About Nicky Acuna Ocana
With over 25 years of experience leading high-performing recruitment teams, Nicky Acuna Ocana is a dynamic leader in the recruitment industry. As President- Americas, UK & Europe at Ambition, she oversees a team of specialist recruiters dedicated to connecting top talent with professional services firms.
Her teams focus on niche areas: the US division specialises in Legal Marketing & Business Development recruitment, while the UK & Europe team excels in placing professionals within Business Services functions within Legal, Practice and Consultancy.
Passionate about Allyship, Belonging and Inclusion (ABI) and talent retention, Nicky is a sought-after keynote speaker. She frequently presents at industry conferences, sharing insights on recruitment trends, hiring strategies, retention best practices, and ABI in the workplace.
