Warwickshire Law Society president passes the baton to new president

One of Warwickshire’s leading corporate lawyers has taken a regional trade body from strength to strength during his tenure as president, updating the constitution to enable more professionals to join and enhancing support for young lawyers.

Robert Lee, who is a Corporate Partner at Leamington-based Wright Hassall, has officially completed his two-year presidency for Warwickshire Law Society.

Robert is one of the region’s most respected corporate lawyers, who has worked at Wright Hassall since 1995 and has been a member of the Law Society for more than 30 years.

He took over from Andrew Nyamayaro, who guided the society out of the Covid pandemic, and has since worked to build on this success and enhance the Society.

This has included updating the constitution to widen the membership criteria, enabling all those with an interest in the legal profession to join the society, and working with other colleagues to re-establish the junior lawyers’ division to provide support to those starting their career.

More than £6,000 was raised for Robert’s chosen charity Young People First, which supports young people in Warwick who are facing challenges to improve their lives.

Robert will now pass the baton to Sharan Sandhu, who takes over as president of the society for the next two years.

Robert said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as president of Warwickshire Law Society.

“Andrew had the extremely difficult job of rebuilding the Society post-Covid and left me a platform to strengthen the Society further during my presidency.

“I am very pleased that the membership has grown and the amount of interest in the Society from solicitors across Warwickshire has increased considerably.

“We have been able to update the constitution to enable all those interested in the legal profession to join the Society, opening it up to more businesses to increase membership and the services provided by members to leave the Society on a firmer legal footing.

“I also worked with Lindsey Connolly and Sharan Sandhu to re-establish our junior lawyers’ division while forging closer links with both Coventry University and the University of Warwick so that their students can become members.

“I have attended some fantastic events during the two years, including our annual dinners as well as rounding off my Presidency with a dinner at the House of Lords with the UK India Legal Partnership.

“It was also a pleasure to support Young People First, raising in excess of £6,000 for the charity, with some of this helping to fund a trip to the seaside for vulnerable families last summer.

“In the legal profession, we are constantly hit by changes in laws and regulations, and the Society provides a platform for discussion and an area where we can share knowledge and best practice.

“I would like to thank Society Manager, Lesley Hazell for her support during my Presidency as well as the Presidents from other local law societies.

“I am also very grateful for the support of the partners at Wright Hassall, and as a firm, we look forward to continuing our involvement with the Society.

“I would like to welcome Sharan Sandhu, Director of Practical Legal Education at De Montford University as our new president, and wish her every success in the role.”

Steve Harcourt

President of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

At this time of year, many businesses will be busily preparing for the end of the financial year and also planning and budgeting for the 12 months to come. In my role as a Director of Prime Accountants Group, we’ve been supporting many of our clients to review their success over the last year but also to make sure they are planning for some of the big changes coming in this year – such as the rise in employer national insurance.

At the end of March, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver her second Budget Statement of the current government’s term and we’re hoping to hear some further economic stimulus and positive messages for businesses. We continue to call for more certainty, more stability and more growth.

Whilst I think we can all agree that the economy continues to flatline, with just 0.1 per cent growth in this first quarter, I continue to be inspired by the resilience of businesses right across Coventry & Warwickshire.

In my capacity as Chamber President, I recently had the opportunity to visit Lawton Tubes – a fourth-generation family business based in Coventry – who have unveiled ambitious plans for a £20m expansion of their business. This expansion will deliver much needed additional capacity to support their continued success.

Lawton Tubes has been a major success story for the region, now exporting to over 40 countries worldwide and earning the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of its international trade achievements.

Despite a challenging national, and global, economic picture, we know that businesses need to ‘get on with it’ and continue to drive their businesses forward. At the Chamber, we’re always here to support growth and help our members achieve their ambitions.

Continuing on a positive note, we’re looking forward to recognising and celebrating with hundreds of businesses, community organisations and inspiring individuals at our inaugural Coventry & Warwickshire Business and Community Awards. It is truly going to be a night of celebration, entertainment and networking! The response received to the Awards has been incredible – over 170 entries across the 10 categories, which have been whittled down to our 50+ finalists by our independent and impartial category judges. Certainly not a task I would have like to do!

Whatever the results on the night, I send my congratulations to all of the finalists, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Belgrade Theatre on the night!

If you haven’t already booked a ticket, then get in quick – it’s going to be night not to be missed!

Steve