Finally: The Proven Progression Path to Partnership for Ambitious, Mid-Level Accountancy, Law & Consultancy Practice Professionals Who Want to Make Partner Within the Next 10 Years…
Without Working Harder, Losing Momentum When Life (and Deadlines) Take Priority or Second-Guessing Why People Get Promoted in Your Firm.
Have you ever worried that you might not have the right skills
to progress to partner because no one’s actually told you what your firm looks for in the people they promote?
Do you consistently hit your targets, work long hours at your desk
and at home and receive great feedback, but you have no idea how close (or far) you are from making partner?
Are your many urgent client, family and work commitments
taking priority over your personal and career development and you’re concerned the partners might not notice your partner potential?
Do you relate…?
You put in long hours at the office, take work home and spend too many weekends catching up or getting ahead – often at the expense of time with friends and family.
You attend as many networking events as you can, get on well with your colleagues and managers and your reviews are positive – you’re a well-liked and respected member of the team.
You get the work done, your clients are happy and the partners are pleased – you consistently meet or exceed your billable hours targets.
Silently hoping…
- Your hard work will get you on the partners’ radar…
- Your partnership potential is obvious – surely they must see it…
- And any day now, that long-awaited tap on the shoulder will come…
Except …
These traits make you valuable as “a safe pair of hands”. They’re not what make you stand out as a future partner. Positioning yourself for partnership is what gets you promoted.
The problem?
No-one’s told you what the partnership in your firm is really looking for (because the criteria are often vague, unspoken or constantly shifting).
So, it’s easy to think you’re positioning yourself to make partner in the next 10 years, but actually you’re veering off-track, focusing on the wrong things.
Good news…
“I would have been a career senior manager if I hadn’t signed up to Progress to Partner. It seems so obvious now scary how little even the most senior managers in the firm understand how to make partner”
Tax Director – UK
“I am delighted I made the decision to join Progress to Partner…the Managing Partner said I am “A Hot Topic” at partner meetings. They have noticed a huge change in my focus & are receiving excellent feedback from their contacts”
Tax Director – UK
“I will become an equity partner on the 1st March. Progress to Partner is an excellent pool of material to help you take the step up from senior fee earner to partner.”
New Partner – Switzerland
That’s where I come in…
I’m Heather Townsend, Executive Coach and expert in helping professionals in practice progress their career to partnership within the next 10 years.
Author of “Poised for Partnership” and co-author of “How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life”, I’ve spent the last 20+ years helping thousands of accountants, lawyers and consultants take the step up to partner.
My clients come to me when they’re ready to stop being seen as a ‘safe pair of hands’, and want to be recognised as next in line for promotion or partnership.
Dan accelerated his career progression by 3-5 years and made partner in his law firm only 7 years out of law school. Chris moved from his Director role at Deloitte to a partner role at KPMG. Astrid made partner in a tough economic climate after we streamlined her business case into a succinct and persuasive document.
And these are only a few of our clients who have expedited their rise to the top.
And now I want to help you get these kind of results for yourself too.
That’s why I created the Progress to Partner Academy.
“Progress to Partner is for you if you want to be noticed by the partners as their future partnership peer.
And you want a proven, step by step process that will put you on the right track to partnership – plus expert support to make it there, in one piece.”
What’s Inside Progress to Partnet?
#1: Partnership Readiness Assessment
Comprehensive, super-simple Assessment that reveals how your career progression, achievements and results to date measure against the unspoken criteria that firms use to select who’s ready for that coveted seat at the partners’ table.
In less than 10 minutes, you’ll uncover the real reasons you might be overlooked for promotion so with our help inside the Academy, you’ll be able to plug those promotion gaps before it’s too late.
#2: Private Strategy Call + Tailored Progression Plan
In this focused 20-minute 1-1 call you’ll sit down (virtually) with your seasoned ‘Progress to Partner’ Executive Coach, Kate, who knows exactly what it takes to make partner in firms like yours.
She’ll review your Assessment report, pinpoint where you are along the way to partnership and help you create a personalised 90-day progression plan using the courses in Progress to Partner, tailored for your role, lifestyle and goals.
#3: Progress to Partner Academy
There are three levels inside the academy with 12 tracks, designed to enable you to master the specific skills, habits and mindset shifts you need to progress towards partnership – without burning out or getting stuck in the wrong lane.
Level A: Partner Foundations
Level B: Partner Persona
Level C: Partner Potential & Proposition
Level A: Partner Foundations
1. Think Like the Role Above You
Understand the difference between being seen as a doer versus recognised as a leader with the potential to make partner in the next 10 years – without you having to work harder or stay in the office later.
3. Reframe Your Role
Partnership means becoming a business owner, and that shift begins now, by stepping out from beneath the shadow of your partner.
5. Self-Care as a Strategic Priority
Take control of your calendar to carve out space to live, rest and advance your career – building essential boundaries to lead at the top.
2. Own Your Career Progression
Why your career progression is your most important client and how to treat your partnership progression with the reverence your success deserves.
4. Set Your Clear Long-Term Direction
Get clarity on what success really looks like for you so you can plan with purpose – including determining if pursuing partnership is actually the right road for you.
In Level A, you’ll move from overwhelmed and unclear to focused, strategic and in control of your own time and career path – without drifting off track, focusing your efforts in the wrong direction.
Level B: Partner Persona
6. Winning Work
Build the confidence, habits and awareness to spot commercial opportunities, attract clients and generate revenue, so you add value to your firm’s bottom line – even if you’re not yet client-facing.
8. Commercial Awareness
Learn how your role connects to your firm’s pricing, pipeline and profitability, so you can speak the partners’ language like a native, even if you’re not managing client accounts directly yet.
7. Personal Brand & Reputation
Get clear on your niche expertise and raise your profile within your firm, so you stand out without having to shout – even if you’re surrounded by lots of extroverted personalities.
9. Networking
Build real relationships that open doors to new connections, opportunities and business in ways that suit your personality, schedule, and stage of life – especially when you can’t attend every drinks event or client dinner and the thought of “working the room” makes you cringe.
In Level B, you’ll shift from a trusted technician to a credible leader who’s seen as partner material.
Level C: Partner Potential and Proposition
10. Personal Business Case
Follow our proven, step-by-step process to show the measurable impact of your work, leadership, and commercial potential and make a clear, confident case for partnership – even if your firm’s criteria are vague or unwritten.
12. Partnership Readiness
Navigate the partnership track – whether it’s a tap on the shoulder or months of high pressure Partner Panel Interviews – you’ll walk into the room like you were always meant to be there.
11. Member of the Club
Why ticking every box on your performance review form isn’t enough to position you as a peer to the partners who will decide your future. This will help you become the person who the partnership wants in their ranks of the partnership – even if you don’t feel “ready.”
In Level C, you’ll be fully prepared to make the leap, with everything in place to be selected, succeed in your current role and thrive as a partner.
#4: Weekly Private “Office Hours” (Asynchronous Support)
You will be invited into a private 1:1 email conversations with Heather and the team, where you can ask questions, discuss your challenges and celebrate your wins.
Whether you’re navigating toxic leadership, unclear manager feedback, juggling work with a busy life or you’ve just been praised by your partners, send us a private email at any time and we’ll reply directly and confidentially during the weekly Office Hours (typically Tuesday between 3pm and 6pm UK].
This might be the only place in your entire professional life where you can speak freely, without judgement, without consequence, and without fear of anything being reported back to your firm.
You’ll receive strategic and unbiased support from experienced experts who have navigated the path to partnership and know exactly what it takes.
#5: 12 Months Unlimited Access to Supported Progress
You’ll have full access to the Academy for 365 days, so you can take it at your own pace, with no fear of falling behind when life (or work) gets in the way.
Whether you’re six months out from putting your Business Case forward or just starting to build visibility, in Progress to Partner, you will have constant career progression cheerleaders, companions and coaches by your side for the next 12 months – experts, guiding you steadily and strategically towards partnership.
“Partnership doesn’t just happen by working harder. It happens when you show up differently, take the right actions, and get the right people in your corner.
And that’s what’s waiting for you when you join Progress to Partner today. ”
- Crystal clear clarity on where you stand and what to focus on first, with a tailored 90-day plan to progress your career.
- Our proven, three-level partnership pathway with all the mindset, strategy and habits to take you to the top – without burnout.
- Confidential, no-holds-barred support from experts who have lived experience of the world you work in, so you never have to second-guess yourself again.