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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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Feb 26
4 min read


Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to suspend mackerel sourcing to make a stand against overfishing and support long-term health and sustainability of fish stocks.*

In September 2025, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), recommended that North-east Atlantic mackerel catches should be cut by 70% to help rebuild the stock to a sustainable level.

In December, four of the Coastal States agreed to cut mackerel catches by 48%. While this is a step forward, it does not meet ICES advice. From May 2026, North East Atlantic mackerel will no longer meet Waitrose’s responsible sourcing requirements in line with the Sustainable Seafood Coalition’s (SSC) codes of conduct.* All Waitrose North East Atlantic mackerel is sourced from Scottish waters.

Sourcing of fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel will be suspended by 29 April 2026. Remaining tinned mackerel stock will be available until it has sold through.

Speaking at the Waitrose Food System Transformed Conference on the 26 February, Jake Pickering, Head of Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries at Waitrose, said:

“By suspending sourcing of mackerel at Waitrose we are reinforcing our ethical and sustainable business commitments, acting to tackle overfishing and protect the long-term health of our oceans and this crucial fish. Our customers trust us to source responsibly, and we are closely monitoring the fishery. We look forward to bringing mackerel back to our shelves once it meets our high sourcing standards.”

Waitrose is launching a new range of smoked fish from April to offer customers tasty alternatives - including Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Peppered Herring and first to supermarket innovation, Hot Smoked Sweetcure Seabass. Waitrose will also introduce frozen sardines in May as a certified sustainable replacement for frozen mackerel, offering similar rich flavour and nutritional benefits. The selection features:

  • Waitrose Scottish Hot Smoked Herring, MSC certified

  • Waitrose Scottish Hot Smoked Peppered Herring, MSC certified

  • Waitrose Hot Smoked Sweetcure Seabass, supermarket first, ASC certified

  • Waitrose Hot Smoked Trout with Dill & Lemon, RSPCA assured

  • Waitrose Frozen Sardine Fillets, MSC certified

Dr Joanne Lunn, Head of Health & Nutrition at Waitrose, says:

“Whether it's sardines or herring from our new smoked fish range, we are bringing the same high quality and great taste our customers look for. These products offer a powerful nutritional profile and health benefits that mirror closely those of mackerel. They are natural sources of omega-3 which helps to maintain normal functioning of the heart, brain and vision, making it effortless to incorporate functional, nutrient-dense foods into your daily routine.”

Waitrose will maintain its long-standing relationship with its mackerel suppliers and continue to support the UK’s thriving coastal communities. Its new supply of herring, seabass, sardines and trout will continue to be sourced through current supplier partnerships. At present, there is no predetermined time-frame as to when Waitrose will start sourcing mackerel again.

Leading the way in sustainable tinned seafood, Waitrose has also announced plans to become the first UK retailer to sell 100% MSC certified tinned sardines, across seven different products.*

From February onwards, customers will begin to see the new blue MSC eco-label across all tins of sardines, signalling an ongoing effort to provide ever-more sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood for customers. In addition, Waitrose will be the first UK retailer to have 100% of its sardines sourced from MSC-certified fisheries, both in canned formats and on the fish counters too.

Marija Rompani, Director of Ethics & Sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership, says:

“Responsible fishing is not a standalone issue for us - it sits within our wider Ethics and Sustainability commitments, including our net zero ambitions, zero deforestation goals, biodiversity protection and our work to set science based targets for nature."

"We believe sustainable food production must balance climate action, nature protection and responsible fish sourcing is fundamental to protecting our oceans. We will continue to work closely with suppliers and industry partners to support the recovery and responsible management of fish stocks.”


Notes:

This announcement was made on 26 February at the Waitrose Food System Transformed Conference in Odney, Berkshire, attended by Waitrose suppliers, key NGO & certification representatives.

*This is North East Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus species

*Site source: The Grocer

*All Waitrose sardines are moving to MSC certification. These products include: Waitrose Essential Sardines in Olive Oil drained 84g; Waitrose Essential Sardines in Water drained 84g; Waitrose Essential Sardines in Tomato Sauce 120g; Waitrose Essential Sardines in Sunflower Oil drained 84g; Waitrose Sardines Piccanti drained 84g; Waitrose Sardine al Limone drained 84g; Waitrose Sardine All'Olio drained 84g

Additional information and awards for Waitrose’s ethical & sustainable commitment to fish & seafood.

Further Context:

  • WWF, who coordinate the WWF Basket with most of the UK retailers, shared a position paper in November 2025 to say all UK retailers should stop sourcing mackerel with immediate effect. View Report.

  • Ocean campaign group Oceana UK has said that while the 48% number is a considerable reduction, it should have been more aligned with ICES’s 70% recommendation. Source.

  • We scored in Tier 2 for The Snapshot 2024, Industry Benchmark on Decapod Crustacean Welfare. Report by Crustacean Compassion.

  • We scored joint highest (with M&S) on Compassion in World Farmings Salmon retailer scorecard - highlighting all the work we do to ensure responsible and reputable salmon farming practices with the supply chain - seen here.

  • We are consistently ranked as a top performer in the Business benchmark for Animal Welfare (BBFAW) achieving Tier 2 status in 2024 and 2025 for making animal welfare central to our business strategy - seen here.

Additional information on new product launches:

  • Scottish Hot Smoked Herring - Scottish, MSC certified & wild caught. 190g catch weight. Hot Smoked over beech & oak wood chips

  • Scottish Hot Smoked Peppered Herring - Scottish, MSC certified & wild caught. 190g catch weight. Hot smoked over beech & oak wood chips.

  • Hot Smoked Sweetcure Seabass - Farmed Mediterranean. Global Gap, ASC certified. 150g pack weight x 4 pieces. Sweetcure marinade of demerara sugar.

  • Hot Smoked Trout with Dill & Lemon - Farmed Scottish. Global Gap, RSPCA, Select Farm. Skin on and boneless. 170g pack weight x 2 fillets. Hot smoked over beech & oak.


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