Head of Operations
Emma Bruce
“Clarity creates calm. When people know what to do and why it matters, everything starts to flow.”
More than a decade managing complex operations in a global law firm taught me all I needed to know about what running a highly profitable legal business can involve. I became fascinated by what really makes organisations tick and, more importantly, what helps people thrive within them. That curiosity led me to complete an MSc in Psychology, deepening my understanding of how people think, work, and grow. This fits perfectly with my role here.
I am the conductor of the business, focusing on making things work beautifully: I enjoy finding creative and common-sense ways to bring structure to ideas, turn strategy into systems, and create the calm that allows our team and clients to perform at their best. I love being part of a team that is building something remarkable. I take pride in designing ways of working that are practical, sustainable, and genuinely make life easier.
Away from work, I’m happiest dancing, running, or spending time with my nieces, who regularly remind me that curiosity, humour, and kindness are superpowers.
Experience
Law firm management | Led core firm-management functions at Freshfields, providing the analysis, insight and direction that shaped strategy and day-to-day decision making across the London office.
Work allocation | Designed and rolled out a new work allocation model for the London office, improving utilisation and creating a fairer, more transparent approach to resource management.
Financial management | Oversaw headcount planning, budgeting and cost control for multiple functions, producing data-driven insights that supported leadership decisions on investment and workforce matters.
Change | Played a central role in major change programmes, including the relocation of more than 2,000 people to a new London office and the operational transformation required to support the move.
People management | Managed and developed high-performing teams, setting clear expectations, coaching individuals, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Wellbeing | Oversaw the firm’s wellbeing programme, developing and implementing initiatives and resources that supported employee health, engagement and day-to-day wellbeing.
Qualifications
University of Surrey | MSc Psychology
University of Law, Guildford | LLB, LPC, GDL
University of Glasgow | MA (Hons) Geography
Roles
Dream Lab Foundation | Operations Lead
Freshfields | Senior Operations Manager
Intrepid Apparel | Founder & Managing Director
Clyde & Co LLP | Resourcing Executive
J.P. Morgan Cazenove | Equities Analyst
