First4Lawyers appoints first chief technology officer

First4Lawyers has appointed its first chief technology officer to drive forward its growth plans.

The personal injury and clinical negligence marketing collective has hired Aaron Bott for the role. He brings significant IT, technology and software development experience to First4Lawyers, which aims to develop new tools and platforms to help improve the way consumers engage with its panel member law firms online.

First4Lawyers also plans to create a broader IT, technology and innovation team around Bott to support its ambition to become a market leader in full-scale legal services. 

Bott joins First4Lawyers from car leasing comparison website Leasing.com and was formerly software development manager at Incora, a global provider of aerospace supply chain solutions. 

He also spent three years at MoneyPlus Group, which provides financial advice and legal services, and so understands the sector and the requirements of working for a Financial Conduct Authority-regulated business. 

Commenting on his appointment, Bott said: “Technology has become an integral part of our lives and never more so than over the last two years. Consumers no longer just want, but now expect services that are simple, quick and convenient to use.”

“The technology to meet that need is available and it’s just about finding the right product or products for your business.”

“First4Lawyers has already shown its willingness to embrace change, to be bold and adapt in order to meet customers’ needs and I’m thrilled to join at the start of such an exciting new chapter.”

In line with the firm’s new hybrid working policy, he will divide his time between its Huddersfield headquarters and his home in Sheffield.

Qamar Anwar, managing director of First4Lawyers, added: “We already have a strong technical infrastructure and coupled with our position as one of the UK’s most recognised brands, this has put us in a strong position, enabling us to grow market share over the last two years. However, we always have one eye on the future and what we can be doing to make access to legal services even easier for customers.” 

“Aaron will play an integral part in our strategic development through a number of exciting projects, including the delivery of a new platform to enhance the consumer journey and a case management system to drive efficiencies internally, whilst also preparing for the latest planned refresh of the group’s web presence.”

Mark Dugdale