top of page

One Profession One Region One Voice Birmingham Law Society's New Leadership



Guy Barnett has been sworn in as the 134th President of Birmingham Law Society, pledging to strengthen Council, connect Birmingham’s legal community and ensure the Society provides a strong voice for the profession across the region.


Barnett formally took office at the Society’s AGM on Thursday 24 September, becoming the latest custodian of a Presidency stretching back more than two centuries to 1818.


Barnett brings a wealth of legal experience and an unusually detailed understanding of BLS, having served on both its Board and Council and, most recently, as Interim Chief Executive. With Calum Nisbet now appointed Chief Executive, Barnett said his Presidential focus will be on representing members, and ensuring BLS speaks up on the issues that matter to Birmingham’s legal community.


Guy Barnett, new President of Birmingham Law Society, said:

“Birmingham Law Society must be a voice for the legal community it represents. That means being prepared to stand up and speak when it is needed, but it also means listening. We need to understand what our members are experiencing, the pressures and opportunities facing the profession and where their Society can make a difference."

“I bring decades of experience to the Presidency and hope that can provide a steady hand as we enter this next chapter. I want to strengthen Council and our committees, and ensure Birmingham Law Society is in an even stronger position when I hand over the Presidential chain next year to Sabina Kauser – the new Vice President."

“This isn't about one person or one Presidential year. It is about building on more than two centuries of history while ensuring the Society continues to evolve for the profession it represents today and tomorrow. My ambition is simple: one profession, one region, one voice.”

Four priorities for the Presidential year

Barnett has set out four pillars for his 2026–27 Presidency: Advance, Connect, Engage and Make a Difference. His approach will be to concentrate on fewer priorities capable of delivering lasting value.


Council

The first priority will be strengthening BLS Council and its relationship with the Society's Professional Committees and wider membership. Interest in joining Council has risen sharply. Last year's election attracted one applicant for four vacant seats; this year, 28 people initially applied for six vacancies.


Following the AGM, six newly elected members and four Presidential co-options will see 10 new people join Council, bringing additional experience and perspectives.


Barnett wants Council to focus on the questions that directly affect members: what does the profession need, what challenges does it face and where should BLS use its collective voice? Deputy Vice President Sam Ingram will lead work to strengthen relationships with the Society's Professional Committees.


Connecting Birmingham's legal community

A second priority will be making greater use of BLS's extensive professional network, spanning managing partners, CEOs and general counsel through to barristers, academics, solicitors and the next generation entering the profession.


Plans include developing greater engagement with managing partners and business leaders, exploring a proposed Geneva Conference and considering whether there is an appetite to revive Advised in Birmingham.


Barnett also wants stronger links between generations within the profession, including the continued development of the Birmingham Law Society Junior Lawyers Division and greater use of mentoring, introductions and shared events to connect established leaders with emerging legal talent.


Making membership matter

The third strand will focus on making BLS membership matter, providing greater value through representation, connections, professional development and a stronger sense of belonging to Birmingham's legal community.


Among the initiatives planned is LAWSTOCK, a proposed informal and inclusive family friendly event with an outdoor festival feel bringing together solicitors, barristers, junior lawyers, senior leaders and the wider professional community.


The proposed Golden Paper Clip Challenge will use friendly competition to encourage entrepreneurship, mentoring and new relationships across the profession.


Barnett summarised his approach simply: “Do fewer things, but do them well.”


Making a difference beyond the profession

Barnett's fourth pillar will focus on the Society's wider contribution to Birmingham, with Carter the Brave, supporting Birmingham Children's Hospital, chosen as his Presidential cause.


In January, he will exchange the Presidential chain for walking boots to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, using the challenge as the catalyst for a wider fundraising campaign involving firms, chambers, business leaders, committees, junior lawyers, sponsors and members.


Throughout his year, Barnett intends to visit firms and organisations across the region, meeting members at every stage of their careers and listening to what they need from their Society.


He added:

“I want people to talk to us. Tell us what BLS does well and where we could be better. Tell us about the issues affecting your firm, your organisation, your career or your part of the profession."

“Birmingham Law Society has extraordinary experience, expertise and energy within its membership. Our job is to listen to it, connect it and, when necessary, give it a voice."


“If Council is stronger, our committees are better connected, junior lawyers have a meaningful voice and new relationships have been created across the profession when I hand over the Presidential chain, we will have made genuine progress.”


Guy Barnett was sworn in as the 134th President of Birmingham Law Society on Thursday 24 September and will serve until September 2027.


Most Read

New Wellbeing Programme Sees Aberdeenshire Business Branch Out

New Wellbeing Programme Sees Aberdeenshire Business Branch Out

Two former teachers from Banchory, Aberdeenshire have built a horticultural design and care business, turning an idea into a full-time venture, with Business Gateway.

British Superbike Rider Gears Up For Charity

British Superbike Rider Gears Up For Charity

Edmund Best, a British National Superstock rider for team SymCirrus Motorsport, has declared his support for The Bridge Homelessness to...

RHS Calls For Compensation Due To Financially Devastating Impact Of A3/M25 Roadworks

RHS Calls For Compensation Due To Financially Devastating Impact Of A3/M25 Roadworks

With 350,000 fewer people visiting RHS Garden Wisley annually due to the National Highways A3/M25 roadworks, resulting in £6 million...

Categories

Jan 21
2 min read


Best-selling Dorset author of ‘Motherkind’ Zoe Blaskey is to talk at the Tank Museum on ‘why becoming a mum changes everything (and why no one warned us)’.


The renowned expert and podcaster who lives in Branksome Park near Poole is the keynote speaker at an event called ‘Bumps, Babies and Toddlers’. Zoe will draw on insights from interviewing more than 600 of the world’s leading experts alongside her coaching work with thousands of mothers.


She will reveal why so many women feel overwhelmed, lost, or ‘not themselves’ in the early years - and why it’s not a personal failing, but an unspoken developmental stage. Zoe said:

“I am very much looking forward to speaking at the Tank Museum and the talk will be relevant to mums-to-be and mums with children up to the age of five. Everybody is welcome."

“I will be offering practical, compassionate, research-backed tools to help women feel more confident, more grounded and more themselves as they navigate what is a life-changing event. They will learn how to deal with identity shifts and how to communicate their experiences with their partners and family."


“More than 90 per cent of mums with children up to the age of five say they feel invisible – but I will see them. I am hoping that those who attend will walk away feeling seen, validated, and deeply empowered - with a new language and framework for one of the most misunderstood transitions in a woman’s life.”


Zoe will be speaking at 11am on Sunday January 25 at the attraction in Bovington. Her book Motherkind is a Sunday Times bestseller and her podcast of the same title has had more than six million downloads. Zoe will also be signing copies of her book.


The museum’s first ‘Bumps, Babies and Toddlers’ is being held in partnership with Little Pickles Markets.

The day will include a nearly-new sale, talks, Q&As and baby and toddler-friendly activities. The huge, award-winning museum includes a soft play area which is perfect for wearing out tots.


The event will include sensory experiences, baby massage instruction and workshops focussing on perinatal health. Rosanna Dean, Director of Visitor Experience and Commercial at The Tank Museum, said:

“As Dorset’s largest indoor visitor attraction, we’re delighted to host such a family-focused event for our wider community. The programme not only offers valuable support and guidance for new and expecting families, but also highlights the fantastic opportunities Dorset provides for this demographic. We are really excited to have such an impactful headline speaker, whose message is so important to women on any stage in their motherhood journey.”

To encourage new visitors, the museum has a special offer for the day of the event - 50 per cent off entry as well as an Annual Pass.


Rosanna added:

“With a soft play, dressing up, and lots of play opportunities throughout our exhibitions, we know that young children will have a great time exploring again and again.”

Find out more, read the full programme, and book online here.

Most Read

New Wellbeing Programme Sees Aberdeenshire Business Branch Out

New Wellbeing Programme Sees Aberdeenshire Business Branch Out

Two former teachers from Banchory, Aberdeenshire have built a horticultural design and care business, turning an idea into a full-time venture, with Business Gateway.

British Superbike Rider Gears Up For Charity

British Superbike Rider Gears Up For Charity

Edmund Best, a British National Superstock rider for team SymCirrus Motorsport, has declared his support for The Bridge Homelessness to...

RHS Calls For Compensation Due To Financially Devastating Impact Of A3/M25 Roadworks

RHS Calls For Compensation Due To Financially Devastating Impact Of A3/M25 Roadworks

With 350,000 fewer people visiting RHS Garden Wisley annually due to the National Highways A3/M25 roadworks, resulting in £6 million...

Categories

BYD Achieves Highest UK Sales Achieving 20,140 Registrations In September

BYD Achieves Highest UK Sales Achieving 20,140 Registrations In September

BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles (fully electric and plug-in hybrid), continues to see the popularity of its products rise with British car buyers.

Buzzworks Showcases Culinary Talent Through Masterchefs

Buzzworks Showcases Culinary Talent Through Masterchefs

Award-winning hospitality operator Buzzworks showcased the culinary talent across its portfolio at an exclusive demonstration through its partnership with The Master Chefs of Great Britain (MCGB).

Tims Launches Greek Family Yogurts Into Tesco Including New Ginger Yogurt

Tims Launches Greek Family Yogurts Into Tesco Including New Ginger Yogurt

Tims has gained a five-strong listing in selected Tesco stores nationwide and is available now.

Recent Posts

bottom of page