Adam Stanley’s journey at SRLV began in 2005 with a work experience placement straight from school.  Armed with a deferred university offer and a willingness to learn, Adam quickly found his footing in our Creative Division with partner Stephen Marks, and never looked back. Now, two decades on, he talks about his promotion to Partner; an achievement he never imagined at the start, but one that reflects his dedication, growth, and deep-rooted connection to the firm. 

Congratulations on your promotion. How do you feel about becoming an SRLV partner?

Honestly, it feels quite surreal, but I am incredibly proud! I never expected to become a partner when I joined SRLV and didn’t have ambitions for it early on; I just loved the people and culture here and kept working at it.   You could say there is a little bit of imposter syndrome; and whilst I remain professional, I’m a people person and enjoy the connections with clients and the surrounding network.  

What do you like most about working at SRLV?

The people, the culture, and the ethos of the firm. Even though SRLV has grown significantly, it’s managed to retain at it’s core the family business mentality, which I really value. I love working in the creative industries, specially building those strong client relationships and being seen as a trusted advisor. The work can be challenging, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding. 

How has your career developed over the years?

I started out at SRLV as an work experience placement, working in TV, film, and stage production. Over time, I diversified into music, and more recently digital content creation. I’ve always valued personal relationships and taken pride in being able to simplify complex matters for clients, however, my earlier career progression was slower because I focused more on work than studying. Eventually, I found balance, and explored new opportunities which led into business development and building my own client portfolio, which broadened my portfolio.  

Do you have any advice for those aspiring to become a partner?

I’d tell my younger self to “study early” and not delay exams. I do regret not pushing harder for certain opportunities, such as going on tour with a client as a shadow tour manager. For those aspiring to become partners, I’d recommend investing in qualifications early and seizing unique opportunities that can widen your experience and develop you as a professional, and as a person. 

What are you hoping to achieve as an SRLV partner?

I’m focused on growing my team, expanding our digital and content creator client base, and exploring new markets, such as e-sports. I also aim to strike a balance between internal responsibilities and client-facing work, while contributing to the firm’s strategic growth. As head of SRLV’s AI committee, I’m excited to explore new ways of using AI that can help streamline our work processes and drive innovation. 

Lastly, if you weren’t in this profession, what would you be doing?

As a child, I dreamt of being a pilot, or F1 driver (I’m pretty nippy behind the wheel!). More realistically, I considered culinary school and even worked as a sous chef for a time. I didn’t have a clear career plan and fell into accounting through a work placement, which, lo and behold, ended up becoming a long-term career! 

 

To read more about Adam and his work at SRLV, please see his full bio or find him on LinkedIn.   

If you’ve been inspired by Adam’s story, you can find more staff case studies here, or visit SRLV’s Careers page for our latest job opportunities.