When Ali Shafiq joined ONP Solicitors, part of the Movera brand, nearly five years ago, he was looking for a change.
Having previously worked as a teacher and then in personal injury law, Ali was curious about remortgage and keen to explore a new area of the legal sector. He joined as a trainee case manager, starting out on simpler legal cases before steadily building his confidence and expertise.
Since then, his role has evolved significantly, and Ali has developed both in terms of his technical knowledge and confidence: “I started on simpler cases and gradually worked my way up. Now I’m dealing with more complex files, which has been an exciting step forward.”
That progression hasn’t happened in isolation. For Ali, one of the defining features of working at ONP has been the consistency and strength of support around him. “I’ve had several managers during my time here, and every single one has been supportive,” he says. “Even during busy or stressful periods, there’s always someone there to help. That makes a huge difference.”
That environment has been particularly important in building confidence. Reflecting on his early days, Ali highlights how a supportive culture helped him learn from mistakes rather than fear them. “When I started here, there were times I made mistakes and thought it was a big deal. But my manager would just show me how to fix it and move forward, no telling off and no need to panic. That support gives you confidence, and you don’t make the same mistake twice, but for all the right reasons.”
Day-to-day, Ali’s role is fast-paced and varied. From managing completions and reviewing mortgage offers to keeping on top of client communications – no two days look the same. His approach is simple but effective: stay organised and act quickly. “If you deal with things as soon as they come in, it keeps everything moving and reduces follow-ups from clients. It’s better for them and it makes your day more manageable.”
That focus on efficiency and service has translated into strong results. In the past year alone, Ali achieved a significant personal milestone, billing over £300,000 – well above his previous years. “It was a really busy year but hitting that number gave me something to be really proud of and made it all worth it.”
Movera’s investment in technology has also played a role in supporting Ali’s performance. From automated data capture to tools that flag key information in property titles, the business continues to streamline processes and reduce manual workload.
Alongside development within the role, Ali is also working towards his CLC qualification, funded by Movera -another example of the company’s commitment to long-term progression.
For Ali, it’s this combination of support, opportunity and culture that sets ONP apart. “I work remotely, but it still feels like a strong community,” he says. “There’s always someone available to help, and managers trust you to get on with your work without micromanaging.”
Asked whether he would recommend ONP, his answer is simple: “Absolutely. The people, the support, and the opportunity to develop, it’s all there.”
