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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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A group of young people from Stockport have been recognised on the national stage for transforming how youth voices shape decisions locally.


The L!STEN Youth Alliance has been named the UK’s leading youth-led group and presented with the British Citizen Youth Award 2025 at the Palace of Westminster.


Receiving the Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Group Award, the L!STEN Youth Alliance was celebrated for its outstanding contribution to improving the wellbeing and lives of young people across Stockport.


Formed in partnership between Stockport Council and local social enterprise PIE: Pursuing Individual Excellence, L!STEN launched in 2023 to ensure young people’s voices influence decisions that affect them.


The group includes around 20 young people from across the borough - including members with additional needs - and works closely with local organisations to represent thousands of youth perspectives every year.


Their work has already made a lasting impact through:


  • Annual Wellbeing Festivals designed by young people, for young people.

  • The Stockport Youth Summit, which brings together 250 students, councillors and local leaders to discuss real issues.

  • Quarterly youth surveys with more than 1,000 responses each time, shaping council policy on topics from hate crime to the cost of living.

  • Contributing to the One Stockport One Future Borough Plan, ensuring young people’s priorities are embedded in Stockport’s long-term strategy.


Councillor Wendy Meikle, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said:

“L!STEN has transformed youth engagement in Stockport, giving young people pride, belonging, and a real voice in shaping change. This national recognition is thoroughly deserved - we’re so proud of their achievements and grateful to everyone who made it possible.”

Beth Collins, founder and CEO of PIE, added:

“When we started the L!STEN Youth Alliance just two years ago, we couldn’t have imagined how much the group would achieve. What began as a project to gather youth voices has grown into a powerful movement influencing policy, hosting major events and improving young people’s lives. This award celebrates their hard work - and the importance of listening to youth voices in everything we do.”

Artemis, one of the young members, said: “To be recognised nationally for something we built together is incredible. Our hard work has made a real difference - and people know about us now!”


Another member, Victoria, added: “Winning this award was the wackiest thing! It really shows that all the effort we’ve put in has paid off. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved.”


Since 2016, the British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA) has celebrated young people under 18 making extraordinary contributions to their communities.


Each year, only one group nationwide receives the Dame Mary Perkins Group Award - and this year, that honour belongs to Stockport.

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