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.

BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles (fully electric and plug-in hybrid), continues to see the popularity of its products rise with British car buyers, as it posted its best-ever sales month and quarter, finishing second overall in the sales charts in September. Preliminary data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirmed that BYD finished September with a total of 20,140 sales in a single month. The eye-catching figure represents a year-on-year increase of 80% and a market share of 5.76%, finishing as the second most popular manufacturer in the country. What makes this sales story even more remarkable is that BYD only started selling cars in the UK in 2023, and has already created a dealer network of 147 sites. The quarterly sales were boosted by BYD’s growing family of New Energy Vehicle products, with several new models in 2026, particularly across its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) line-up, already striking a chord with customers. Among its best-selling cars was the ATTO 2. Following the launch of the fully electric version in last autumn, it was joined by the DM-i variant in June this year, and this flexibility in powertrain options saw it become the second most popular model in the BYD line-up in September. The top-selling car in the marque’s portfolio remains the SEAL U DM-i, with the SEALION 7 the biggest-selling pure electric vehicle in the range. Steve Beattie, Deputy Country Manager of BYD UK commented: “These figures are an incredible result for BYD, so I’d like to say a big thank you to all of our customers who buy our cars and enjoy them on a daily basis,” “While it’s a huge result for us, we believe that there is still more to come. We’ve launched several other cars recently or are about to. The DOLPHIN G takes us into the hugely popular supermini segment, and despite the car only arriving with our retailers in August, we’ve already taken over 500 orders. Pre-orders for the seven-seat Ti 7 SUV are proving extremely strong, and the SHARK pick-up is generating a huge amount of interest too. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings.”

Award-winning hospitality operator Buzzworks showcased the culinary talent across its portfolio at an exclusive demonstration through its partnership with The Master Chefs of Great Britain (MCGB). Held at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh on Tuesday, (October 6) the demonstration formed part of Buzzworks' corporate sponsorship of MCGB, highlighting the breadth of talent, creativity and career opportunities available across the business. Bringing together its culinary teams from across four of its core brands – Scotts, Lido, Herringbone and The House Collection – chefs created a four-course menu designed to showcase the distinct character, creativity and culinary approach of each offering. The event welcomed around 280 students from colleges across Scotland, alongside leading chefs and hospitality professionals, giving the next generation of chefs and hospitality workers an insight into the food, people and career opportunities available within one of Scotland's fastest-growing hospitality groups. David Bell, Director of Food at Buzzworks, said: "The Master Chefs demonstration was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the food we produce across Buzzworks, with dishes from across our four core brands making up the menu at Prestonfield House." “It was great to see the teams bring those dishes together and talk through the ingredients, techniques and thinking behind each one. We had a fantastic audience of students, chefs and hospitality professionals, so it was a really good opportunity to show them what we can do as a business and give them an insight into where we're heading as we continue to grow.” Featured dishes included Lido's poached beetroot and plum with burrata, lemon and pistachio; Herringbone's slow-cooked pork belly with gochujang caramel; Scotts' venison main course served with pickled blackberries; and The House Collection's theatrical chocolate bomb dessert filled with caramelised white chocolate and sour cherry, accompanied by toasted peanuts, praline and salted caramel sauce. Each course was paired with carefully selected drinks, highlighting the collaborative relationship between Buzzworks' kitchen and front-of-house teams and demonstrating the complete guest experience delivered across its venues. Alongside the culinary demonstrations, Company Training Manager Gavin Goslan was joined by General Manager Jordan Blades, and Senior Floor & Bar Team member, Andrew Graney, for a front-of-house presentation, offering guests an insight into Buzzworks' people-first culture, career development pathways and succession planning initiatives. Gavin led drinks demonstrations, with drinks paired with each course throughout the event to highlight the collaborative approach between Buzzworks' culinary and front-of-house teams and the importance of the overall guest experience. Laurent Labede also represented Buzzworks at the event, joining colleagues from across the business to showcase the group's food and hospitality expertise. Buzzworks is a corporate sponsor of MCGB, reinforcing its investment in future hospitality leaders through masterclasses, mentorship from leading UK chefs and enhanced training opportunities across its portfolio of venues. The hospitality operator has also been recognised in the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list for a tenth year, achieving 29th place in the ‘Best Large Company to Work For in the UK’ and its highest ranking to date. To find out more, visit here.

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