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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.


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Award-winning brand Kent Crisps announced the launch of new Beef Brisket & Stout Flavour crisps, a mouth-wateringly rich and savoury hand-cooked crisp developed in collaboration with historic Kent Brewer, Shepherd Neame.


Staying true to their ethos of working with local Kent producers and iconic destinations, the new flavour brings together three iconic Kent brands: Kent Crisps, one of the UK’s few remaining independent snack brands; Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewer based in Faversham; and The Historic Dockyard Chatham, a symbol of Kent’s shipbuilding heritage.


The launch took place onboard HMS Gannet at The Historic Dockyard Chatham yesterday (Wednesday 29 April 2026) where they were joined by trade contacts, press and Dockyard Veterans and ambassadors to celebrate the launch.


The new flavour has been crafted using one of Shepherd Neame’s newest beers, Iron Wharf Stout – a dark, ruby-tinted nitro stout inspired by Faversham’s historic shipbuilding industry.


The stout’s roasted malt character complements the savoury notes of brisket delivering a bold yet reassuringly traditional flavour.


Linking into the county’s rich shipbuilding past, the collaboration features HMS Cavalier at The Historic Dockyard Chatham as the front of pack partner, celebrating Kent’s maritime history and reinforcing the brand’s strong regional identity.


This partnership creates a compelling story for retailers seeking premium, provenance led products with clear consumer appeal both in the UK and internationally.


Laura Bounds MBE, Kent Crisps Owner says:

“We’re thrilled to be launching our new Beef Brisket & Stout Flavour crisps which represents months of hard work by the team and our partners."

"The launch marks one of our most significant and exciting partnerships to date. Our ethos has always been to champion the very best of Kent, from exceptional local producers to the county’s world-class visitor destinations and this launch brings all those elements together in a way that truly reflects our values – I couldn’t be prouder.”


Shepherd Neame Chief Executive, Jonathan Neame said:

“At Shepherd Neame, we’re passionate about creating beers that reflect both our heritage and our spirit of innovation, so collaborating with Kent Crisps on this new flavour has been a natural fit. Iron Wharf Stout was inspired by Faversham’s shipbuilding past, and it’s been exciting to see its rich, roasted character brought to life in a completely new way."

"This partnership is a great example of how local producers can come together to create something distinctive that celebrates the very best of Kent.”


Richard Morsley, CEO of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust adds:

"This partnership is a true celebration of Kentish pride. By linking The Historic Dockyard Chatham with two of the county’s most respected producers, we are showcasing the very best of what Kent has to offer."

"We are delighted to see Medway’s maritime legacy celebrated in this way. We look forward to seeing the Dockyard represented on shelves across the country and welcoming crisp lovers to come and see the real HMS Cavalier for themselves."


This is the eighth flavour in the Kent Crisp’s range and uses Red Tractor Assured British potatoes which are hand-cooked for premium quality and texture, whilst being free from MSG and the top 14 allergens, making the crisps suitable for a wide range of consumers.


Kent Crisps has a highly loyal customer base and marks their first new product launch since 2021, making it highly anticipated by both consumers and the trade.


Photo: (l-r) Veteran David Adams LREM, Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame, Kent Crisps owner Laura Bounds, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust CEO Richard Morsely veteran.


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