Penningtons corporate lawyer receives high praise in Levi Roots' inspirational new business book

Posted: 22/03/2011

Teja Picton-Howell, a consultant in the corporate team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP's City office, is one of a number of guest contributors in an upbeat new business book produced by Levi Roots, the creator of Reggae Reggae Sauce and a past star of the BBC TV programme 'Dragons' Den'.

You can get it if you really want, which was published on 8 March, contains practical advice on launching a successful business as well as ten essential rules that Levi believes should underpin any entrepreneurial venture. Teja, who is a non executive director of the Reggae Reggae Group of companies, was invited to write a feature for the book on how to create your own luck in business. Levi also refers to him a number of times in the publication, calling Teja 'an essential part' of his business and saying that 'when you are aiming for the big time, you need someone like Teja on board'. Teja meanwhile summarises their relationship as being a case of 'Levi does the funk, and I do the legals'.

Teja's feature provides a corporate lawyer's perspective on how entrepreneurs can achieve their goals. He stresses the importance of having a clear, long term vision, being a good negotiator, delegating effectively rather than micro-managing every decision and ensuring that the legal relationship with other partners is carefully defined to avoid any problems in the future. He also outlines what to look for when seeking legal advice and how spending on this commodity should be allocated in a way that brings the most benefit to the business. His feature concludes with a series of top tips for reducing risks which include the recommendation that 'the legal model must follow the business model - not the other way around'.

Commenting on the book, Teja said: "Like so many people who work closely with Levi, I never cease to be impressed by his positive and passionate approach to everything he undertakes, so I was delighted to be asked to contribute to his latest publication. It is an invaluable companion for both those who are setting up their own company for the first time and the longer established entrepreneur."

Teja has over 25 years' experience as an international corporate finance and commercial lawyer and advises a broad range of clients in India, Europe, the Gulf and the UK. He joined Penningtons in 2011 as a consultant in its corporate and India groups. He is a member of the London Chamber of Commerce's Asian Business Association and of the Royal Commonwealth Society and a trustee of the India based international charity CRY (Child Rights and You).

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