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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Jun 26

3 min read

Commercial Solar Specialist, Absolar has installed 144 lightweight solar panels (specifically chosen for the site considering its structural features) across the Auditorium roof of Bexhill-on-Sea’s Grade I listed De La Warr Pavilion on England’s south coast as part of its major transformation project. An Icon For Everyone in partnership with Rother District Council. Creating a system capacity of 77.7kWp meeting approximately 20% of the De La Warr Pavilion's annual electricity demand.

This is the first installation of this specific lightweight panel in the UK. At just 7.2kg/m2, these panels are among the lightest high-performance modules available commercially. This means the De La Warr Pavilion's original steel roof structure, designed by structural engineer Felix Samuely, can carry the full array while preserving load-bearing capacity for future auditorium equipment and upgrades. Critically, the lightweight specification does not come at the cost of performance. The panels carry industry-leading efficiency ratings, generation output, and manufacturer warranties.

The solar panels are paired with the latest solar GoodWe inverters, selected for seamless integration with the De La Warr Pavilion's existing electrical infrastructure and to provide compatibility for future battery storage, which would increase the building's energy self-reliance further.

The impact this will have includes:

71,570 kWh generated per year, meeting approximately 20% of the De La Warr Pavilion's annual electricity demand
18 tonnes of CO2 saved annually, equivalent to the stage lighting for around 715 productions (based on a 50kW/hour west end lighting rig)

Stewart Drew, CEO and Director, De La Warr Pavilion says:

“As we celebrate the 90th year of the De La Warr Pavilion, I couldn’t be prouder to see these solar panels being installed. It’s a milestone moment, and one that reflects our ongoing dedication to environmental sustainability, strengthening the long-term resilience of the building and reducing its operational impact on the environment."

"These super-lightweight panels are the first of their kind to be installed in the UK and have been carefully chosen to be sympathetic to the existing roof, preserving the integrity of this Grade I listed modernist landmark.”

Councillor Kathryn Field, portfolio holder for environment at Rother District Council says:

“We are delighted that the solar panels are being installed at the De La Warr Pavilion. This funding has enabled a major investment in environmental sustainability which will greatly reduce the Pavilion’s carbon footprint."

“We’re currently promoting information on our website that provides advice on how we can all help in the face of a climate emergency. This solar panel installation is a great example of the commitment of all the partners to support protection of our local environment.”

Dr Phil Wu, CEO of Absolar comments:

"It’s been a real honour to be part of this project as the De La Warr Pavilion is such a community asset, steeped in history and loved by the people of Bexhill. We were determined to find a solution that protects and preserves it for the next 90 years and beyond."

“As a listed building used daily by artists and the wider community, we approached this as much as an art project as an engineering one. Absolar chose modern solar panels, which are lightweight yet don’t compromise on performance. This means we fully respect the building's original structure while securing its energy future. We're proud to be part of its journey helping make it both structurally sound and environmentally ready for the next century."

The solar panels funded by Rother District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Climate Emergency Bonus Fund and is part of De La Warr Pavilion’s transformation project, An Icon For Everyone that will redevelop this pioneering centre for the arts, creating new learning and community spaces, refurbish the auditorium and galleries, improve accessibility, support environmental sustainability and secure the Pavilion’s purpose as a creative and cultural home for all.

Top Photo: De La Warr Pavilion. Photo by Burst Photos

2nd photo: Councillor Kathryn Field, Dr Phil Wu, Stewart Drew,

Cllr Doug Oliver

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

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