Graeme Gibson, a Fractional CFO who has been with the CFO Centre for over seven years, recalls the first time he worked with CG, a firm he now considers part of his toolkit. The task was to draft an IP licensing agreement - a critical document that could shape the future of the business. “The process went smoothly, and my client was thrilled with the service and value for money. From that point on, I thought, why not introduce CG to more clients?”
Graeme is no stranger to juggling complex legal challenges. With five long-term clients under his care, his role often involves navigating shareholder agreements, contracts, and even litigation. “There’s always some piece of legal work cropping up”, he says. Yet, finding the right law firm to handle these issues isn’t always straightforward. For Graeme, CG became a trusted recommendation because of their balance: “They’re not so big that they charge astronomical fees, but they’re big enough to cover almost every legal aspect a business could need”.
One of the qualities Graeme values most is CG’s approach to client care. “You never feel like you’re at the back of the queue”, he says. Whether it’s a small matter or a high-stakes negotiation, CG’s team ensures that every client feels prioritised. Graeme appreciates this consistency, adding, “They seem to get their priorities right - what’s urgent and what’s not. It means I don’t have to chase them, which helps cut down on time”.
Surayya, a Senior Associate, has been Graeme’s primary point of contact at CG. “She handled the first piece of work for us, and I got on really well with her”, he explains. What makes Surayya particularly effective is her ability to quickly identify the right person for the job. “If she’s not the right person to handle something, she’ll immediately connect you with someone who is. It’s that kind of honesty and efficiency that keeps me coming back”.
Graeme recounts a few memorable projects where CG’s expertise made a difference. One key example involved a £1.25 million contract - his client’s largest to date. “It came in at short notice and the director said, ‘I think we need a lawyer to review this.’”. CG’s team, including Surayya and Thomas Prince, Partner and Head of Commercial, stepped in and identified several clauses that were unfair and overly onerous. “They didn’t rip the whole thing apart”, Graeme notes. “They understood the commercial realities and gave us actionable points to negotiate”. The result was that the client successfully secured better terms without jeopardising the deal. “Without CG, we might have missed those critical details”.
In another instance, Graeme worked with CG on two IP licensing agreements for a client partnering with smaller businesses holding patented technology. “We wanted to be in control of the agreements, and CG crafted excellent initial drafts”. Through careful negotiation, the agreements were finalised in a way that both benefited Graeme’s client and satisfied all parties. “These are long-term deals, set to last 15 to 20 years. The fact that those relationships are thriving speaks volumes about CG’s work”.
For Graeme, recommending CG isn’t just a professional decision; it’s personal. “Every time I suggest them,I’m putting my reputation on the line. But they’ve never let me down”, he says. This trust extends beyond the legal work itself. “They’re respectful of my role. They don’t bypass me or treat me like my job ends with the introduction. They make sure to understand how much involvement I want in the process”.
Graeme sums it up simply: “When something works this well, why look elsewhere?”. For him, CG is more than just a law firm - they’re a partner who helps him and his clients navigate challenges with confidence and ease. “You don’t try to fix what’s not broken”.
As the world's number one provider of fractional Chief Financial Officers, The CFO Centre has over 700 CFOs based in over 16 countries with expertise spanning over 30 industries.
They work with ambitious SMEs with a starting turnover of over £1m through to larger organisations who need additional CFO support for major projects.