Law firm becomes first in South West to gain B Corp status
South West law firm Stephens Scown LLP has gained B Corp certification for its policies on putting people and planet first. The accreditation by the non-profit B Lab, is a first for a law firm in the South West and makes Stephens Scown one of only a handful of B Corp law firms in the UK. B Corp Certification requires a holistic review of a business’ social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency, and is based on a vision of creating a community of for-profit companies committed to redefining success in business. We cover all the latest deals, appointments and news covering law, finance and professional services - you can read our dedicated pages here. To stay up to date with us you can: Managing partner, Richard Baker, said: "As the first large law firm in the UK to become employee-owned, we have built a dynamic and innovative business dedicated to delivering for its clients and providing a rewarding and supportive workplace. "Gaining our B Corp certification underlines our long-term commitment to also being a force for good in wider society." The firm, has a Giving Back programme which encourages fundraising, volunteering, pro bono work and reducing the business’ environmental impact. Joint head of Stephens Scown’s Corporate team, Laurie Trounce has observed that sustainability (economic, social and environmental) is also becoming a key driver among business leaders, shaping their decision making. She said: “We work with a number of businesses who are evolving their decision-making frameworks and adopting new ways of working, including through employee ownership and B-Corp certification. “In light of the issues businesses are facing in a post-Covid marketplace, such as recruitment challenges and adapting to a hybrid working structure, businesses which are able to build their purpose into the DNA of their organisation will be able to use it as the glue that unites remote teams, creates brand value, and enables them to meet the inevitable consumer demand for more purposeful businesses in the future.” READ MORE: Get our front page headlines Stay up to date with our latest deals, funding and acquisition news Keep up to date with South West business news South West tech companies to watch in 2023
Exeter family law firm opens first office in Cornwall
An Exeter-founded law firm has opened its first office in Cornwall as it expands its footprint across the region. The new base in Truro is the fourth office for The Family Law Company, which already has two sites in Exeter and another in Plymouth. The move into Cornwall began in 2021 with the appointment of director Lucy Theobald who initially flexi-worked from home and the Plymouth office. The Family Law Company added paralegal Sophie Kneebone and trainee legal executive Shannon Fawdry to the team as demand for services grew, it said. Ms Theobald said: “It was a natural progression to open an office where we can welcome clients and build a real team connection. The company is proud to serve many of our clients on the doorstep of the local judiciary and we were pleased to find the perfect solution; a compact, cost-effective office in the capital of Cornwall conveniently located next door to barristers’ chambers.” Ms Kneebone joined the Truro team from historic Cornish legal firm Coodes. She is currently studying with CILEx and aims to qualify as a lawyer in 2024. Ms Fawdry, who previously worked with Ms Theobald, joined from Cornwall-based legal practice Charles French & Co where she focused on conveyancing. Family solicitor Deborah Cahill is also working with The Family Law Company's Cornish team, based from St Austell. The company has said it will be looking to provide "employment opportunities" to local people in Truro as it continues to grow. Ms Theobald added: “Our business has an innovative recruitment policy that’s brilliant at spotting potential. We’ve seen receptionists move into roles as paralegals, office assistants and account managers, a former nail technician now training to be a lawyer and a military police officer who recently qualified as a lawyer.” The Family Law Company was founded by Norman Hartnell in 1991 and now employs nearly 100 people managing around 2,000 cases a year. READ NEXT
Senior hires join Hull law firm to bolster leadership team after year of strong growth
A new leadership team has been unveiled at a Hull law firm, reflecting steady growth and a collective aspiration to build on success. Two new senior figures have joined the board at Williamsons Solicitors, marking the start of a significant restructuring process. Further director-level appointments are anticipated this spring for the £6.9 million turnover firm, which saw a 24 per cent increase in fee-generation in 2021/22. Operations director Neil Waterhouse and finance director John Auld will join experienced solicitors Sarah Clubley, an owner-director and partner since 2000, and Jane Cousins who has held her owner-director role since 2016. They lead a 130-strong team working from the head office in Lowgate and branches in Bridlington and Driffield. Read next: Regional law firm chooses Hull for its latest expansion Neil spent 30 years working in corporate banking, including at HSBC, RBS and Barclays. He was more recently vice principal of East Riding College. He said: “As a senior business manager with the banks, I looked after numerous law firms, and while in the education sector, I focused on operational management. “This has given me the experience to help Williamsons achieve further growth and develop key service areas. It is fantastic to have a new challenge with this well thought of and successful business.” John is a chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor. During his career, he has worked for RSM and Smailes Goldie, along with firms in the South East and Harrogate. He said: “Turnover has increased year on year and there is a great opportunity for Williamsons to build on its excellent reputation. I am very much looking forward to making a positive impact.” Williamsons started in Hull 131 years ago, and has grown steadily through service development, expansion of its client base and acquisitions. It provides a range of essential services including crime, probate, conveyancing, family law, civil litigation, personal injury, clinical negligence and business property. Sarah, who heads the family and childcare department, said: “We now have a core senior management team with a superb range of complementary skills. Both Neil and John bring niche experience to the firm which will help us move to the next level.” Jane, head of residential conveyancing, wills and probate, added: “The addition of Neil and John allows for a clearer division of responsibilities, while bringing specific areas of expertise to help us achieve our ambitions.”
Law firm Clarke Willmott appoints new head of office in Somerset
Law firm Clarke Willmott has appointed a new head of office in Somerset. Kirill Bingham has been a partner at the national group’s Taunton base since 2016. Mr Bingham will lead more than 190 staff and 22 partners at the second-largest office across Clarke Willmott’s operations, representing clients across the region and nationally. His promotion comes shortly after the election of Peter Swinburn as the group’s new chief executive, with Stephen Rosser, set to step down after 13 years in the role. Mr Bingham said: “I am proud to be appointed to this role at an exciting time for the office and the firm generally, with our Taunton office having undergone a transformative and sustainable refurbishment and a new CEO elect in place, Peter Swinburn, who will take over next spring. “As a team we will continue to strive to build on the core values, to continue to support the local community and to provide exceptional legal service. It is also important for us to be able to provide the very best working environment and career prospects. I look forward to working with my talented colleagues.” Mr Rosser added: “I would like to congratulate Kirill on his appointment. It is a crucial role within the firm and we look forward to Kirill and the team continuing to build on the foundations made.” Clarke Willmott is headquartered in Birmingham and also has offices in Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester and Southampton, and has moved towards a hybrid working model for its staff. The company said a survey of its workers had found 96% of those in the same or similar roles to the role they had pre-pandemic, now perceived they were now working “more effectively”. In a recent trading update for the 2021-2022 financial year, the company said it had generated £59.6m thanks to a set of “strong results” across its teams and sectors, which it said had received “more instructions than ever” from its clients. Read next:
Team Leicester heading out to Cannes to promote investment opportunities at MIPIM 2023
A delegation of developers, investors, construction specialists, lawyers, agents and public sector officials will head out to the south of France next month to promote a wealth of property investment opportunities across Leicester and Leicestershire. The Team Leicester delegation is heading out to the international MIPIM property conference which takes place in Cannes between March 14-17. The annual conference is seen as an opportunity to network and discuss possible deals during a busy four days of exhibitions, meetings and discussions as well as conversations over meals and drinks. The Team Leicester 2023 group will include representatives from around 20 businesses and public sector bodies and will head down to the Med with a recently updated Invest in Leicester land and property prospectus – highlighting 40 key investment opportunities. Invest in Leicester is a partnership between the city and county councils, promoting the region as the place to locate and grow a business. Space-related industries will be a key priority for Team Leicester at MIPIM this year following from the successful opening of the initial stage of the £100 million Space Park Leicester. A key project being promoted is the extension to the nearby Pioneer Park, a partnership between Leicester Council and Leicester University to provide a hub for technology, innovation, science, and knowledge-led industry. Office space opportunities in the city will also be presented, including the Waterside office enterprise zone and the Leicester Station Quarter development which aims to increase grade-A office space in the city. The county will also promote the opportunities that exist at the East Midlands Freeport site around East Midlands Airport, which hopes to attract manufacturers and logistics operators. Enterprise zones at Charnwood, Loughborough and MIRA Technology Park will also feature. Rob McGuinn, director at MDA Consulting and chair of the Team Leicester partnership, said: “We are very much looking forward to returning to Cannes again this year. “We will be going to MIPIM as one voice for the area, with a clear message that Leicester and Leicestershire is open for business. “This year our gala dinner showcase will be at Grey D’Albion hotel. We are expecting up to 100 delegates comprising Team Leicester partners, their colleagues and guests who are interested in development opportunities, growing their industry networks, and doing business in Leicester and Leicestershire. “It has always been an extremely enjoyable – and very valuable – evening and this year promises to be no different.”
More South West employers turn to school leavers to diversify talent pool
Employers in the South West are increasingly looking to apprenticeships to attract diverse, talented young people to their business, new research shows. The latest Business Outlook Tracker survey by Grant Thornton UK LLP reveals that every South West business leader who responded said that they currently hire young people who have completed their A-Levels (or equivalent exams) into apprenticeship roles. Three quarters (75%) of respondents said that they hire more school leavers in their business now than before the pandemic and 70% agree that hiring school leavers is as important to their business as hiring university graduates. Jonathan Riley, practice leader for Grant Thornton UK LLP in the South West, said: “Employers in the South West are discovering the benefits of using apprenticeships as a development tool. These employers are strategically using apprenticeships to address issues such as improving diversity in the workforce, achieving sustainable recruitment, and replacing traditional graduate programs with highly desirable qualifications." According to ONS data collected in February 2022, more than 9 in 10 (91%) of university students in England were worried about the cost of living. Half (50%) felt they had financial difficulties and more than three-quarters (77%) of students were concerned that the rising cost of living may affect how well they do in their studies. For young people, these increasing financial burdens from self-funded higher education could explain the rising demand for paid apprenticeships. Hannah Baker, Andrew Arthur and Hannah Finch cover all the latest business news from across the South West on our dedicated page - you can read more here.