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

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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.

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Dec 19, 2023

3 min read

Brits are increasingly launching small businesses to capitalise on the festive season, new data from GoDaddy suggests.

Key Findings:

Over two fifths (41%) of Brits will be launching a festive side hustle this year, according to new research
92% of aspiring founders will do it out of necessity to cope with the cost-of-living crisis – this includes 94% who are employed full-time
Two thirds (58%) of Brits hope to generate up to £500 in December thanks to their side hustle – indicating that entrepreneurs intend for their side hustle to top up their bank balance, rather than become their main source of income
First-time festive founders will dominate the trends, as 76% of Brits who plan to launch a business this month will do it for the very first time

The survey findings show that over 41% of adult Brits will be launching a festive side hustle this year, with the overwhelming majority (92%) citing the cost-of-living crisis and rise in inflation as the main driver behind their plan to launch a festive venture.

The survey results show that the need for extra income was cited as the main driver behind starting a festive side hustle for unemployed Brits (89%), full-time employed Brits (94%) and business owners (92%).

It also highlights that side-hustlers are mainly looking to generate some extra income for the festive season rather than looking for the side hustle to become a primary source of income, as more than half (58%) of aspiring founders expect to generate up to £500 with their venture.

The data suggests themes for these end of year ventures will be predominantly festive, with more than half aspiring entrepreneurs (57%) planning to sell self-made goods, including festive decorations, arts, crafts and toys; 19% will sell personal care and services such as festive make up and nails, and 12% of respondents said they will sell pet care and services, including pet sitting over the holiday break.

Chris Simmons is one of those festive entrepreneurs, having started sustainable Christmas tree company Eco Christmas Trees as a side hustle last year.

Chris said: “It’s often forgotten that the Christmas period can generate a huge amount of waste, and Christmas trees are chief among that, with healthy trees discarded after being used for just a few weeks."

"Our business allows customers to rent a live, pot grown Christmas tree, and return it to us after Christmas so it can be reused for many Christmases to come. Once it is too big for its pot or not up to a Christmas tree standard, we plant it into our woodland.”

“My wife’s family owns and runs the farm on which we grow the Christmas trees, and I am a golf caddie full-time. While we started the business out of a desire to help reduce Christmas waste, it has become a useful source of additional income, especially since we set up our online store and have started building our customer base.”

For three quarters (76%) of respondents, of which 87% are Gen Z, it will be the very first time that they are launching a side hustle. The data shows that for this age group, following a passion (41%) ranks highly as one of the main reasons why they are launching a side hustle this festive period. For all other age categories surveyed, the data shows that necessity is the primary reason for launching their festive side hustle. Over half (57%) say they will reopen their festive side hustle next year in 2024, if it performs well this year.

Andrew Gradon, Head of GoDaddy UK & Ireland said: “Launching a festive side hustle with a website gives small businesses a chance to make the most of holiday-spending. Selling online, enables them to market their products and services quicker. With 76% of respondents reporting that they will be launching a small business side hustle for the first time, highlights Brits’ entrepreneurship interest and GoDaddy’s online products and services are designed to help them succeed.

“After all, microbusinesses are the engine of the British economy. When they thrive, we all do.”

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

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