Meet our Chief of Staff

We're a small, but dynamic, team at Gray's Inn and we want to showcase what we do! In this series, find out more about work and life at the Inn.

Next up we talk to our Chief of Staff, Sam Hutchinson, about the varied roles he plays at the Inn. From attending committee meetings and arranging Miscellany rehearsals, to producing well-loved events such as our annual Treasurer’s Reception.

Discover how his role is integral to the running of Gray’s Inn in his profile.

1.???????What is the main purpose of your role?

The core purpose of my role is to be someone who has an overview of as much as possible of what is going on at the Inn.?

As Chief of Staff, I act to connect the different parts of the Inn, whilst leading on projects to enable us all work smoothly together.?

Essentially, I collaboratively stick my nose into everyone’s business and try to know a little of what is going on across the whole Inn. If I don’t know the answer, I will probably know who does.?

With a (relatively) new Under Treasurer in place, I can assist as a corporate memory as well as to why we do things the way we do, or what we can change.?

2.???????What does a typical day look like for you?

Each day can be wildly different and at the moment my focus is on delivering a multitude of projects, including:

• Liaising with residents and tenants to inform them of events and works around the Estate.
• Finalising the 2024 calendar by mediating department needs with strategy delivery.?
• As well as connecting Members with the Digital team to celebrate the Inn’s history and Member achievements.?

In previous months, a lot of my time focussed on coordinating the Treasurer's visit to Cyprus in April. More recently, I have also begun to arrange regular informal meetings for Inn staff to socialise and get to understand how everyone has a role to play in the successful running of the Inn.?

Essentially, my role means that I work between the micro and the macro, between Members and staff and between ten years away to later today.

3.??????What are the most enjoyable and challenging parts of your role?

The most challenging part of my role is the most enjoyable: the variety.?

In one day I could be working with my teams on an international project, talking with the Gray’s Inn Barristers’ Committee to deliver some family-focused events, when suddenly I could be assisting with a visit to the Inn by The King and programming an event for the Inns of Court Alliance for Women.?

It can be hard tracking all the projects I am involved with, but the variety keeps it fresh and always challenging.?

4.??????What do you like about working for the Inn?

I like the fact that in working here I am part of the fabric of something centuries old and which will continue to be here for centuries more.?

We work with the Members to make sure the Inn passes onto the next generation stronger – in finances, reputation, quality of education, and the fabric of the Estate.?

At Gray’s, we are pretty nimble. We seek to change to accommodate the needs of our Members.?

5.??????How did you come to work at Gray’s Inn?

Previous to taking up my role in 2019, I was working in medical regulation for a couple of the Medical Royal Colleges, so am used to working with dedicated Members to run their professional organisations.?

I had been on the Estate some years before I even know what Gray’s Inn was and thought, ‘why is that park sometimes closed?’ That park is, of course, The Walks – open to the public only at lunchtimes.

I was looking for a role where I would work for dedicated people passionate about their job or the impact it has and, as an old History student, preferably something with a long pedigree.?

6.??????Do you have any fun or special memories you have made while working at the Inn?

It’s amazing to see how much the Members give to their Inn and how passionate they can be in defence of it and the law generally whether they are employed, self-employed, student or a member of the judiciary.?

I also enjoy the fact the Inn is a part of the wider community. From facilitating the Egypt Exploration Society’s practical sessions in The Walks, to showcasing the Estate to a local primary school. I further work with the Ambedkarites to ensure the legacy of Dr Ambedkar continues.??

The Inn is not a museum, but a living organisation. It is not separate from the world around us here in central London and further afield. I’m very lucky my role positively encourages me to get involved in all aspects of Inn life.

To find out more about the Inn and who we are, read more on our website .