From the Chairwoman

Dear Members.

As the children return to school and we all resume at least part of our normal routine, we hope that the main crisis of the pandemic is over. Live meetings, events, office attendance and social life is returning to normal. We are all still being sensible, wearing masks wherever it seems a little crowded, and maintaining social distancing as far as possible. Nevertheless, this feels like a liberation after so many months of restrictions. And of course, it means that we can hold our wonderful annual conference and annual general meeting this year in person after the disappointment of the cancelled Malaga event.

I am delighted to confirm that this year’s programme includes Mark Stephens CBE as our Keynote Speaker, a high-profile media human rights and defamation lawyer whose regular appearances in the media have made him a force to be reckoned with in the legal world. We have an informative and educational programme relating to practice, specialisms and business issues, as well as a longawaited set of social events for enjoyment and networking. I am particularly looking forward to the Gala Circus Ball on Saturday night and the all-female Morris dancers on Sunday morning who will encourage those brave enough to have a go at jingling!

I am also deeply honoured and excited at being shortlisted as Sole Practitioner of the Year for the Law Society Awards 2021, the winner being announced on the 7th October, immediately before our conference is held on the 8th to the 10th October.

Whether or not I am fortunate enough to win, I have been humbled and amazed by the letters of support filed by colleagues, clients, and professional contacts, which of course were instrumental in the short listing process. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the conference, and I know that once again this will be a sparkling, informative, and revitalising event for all of us and our businesses.

This is my last Solo as your Chair, as I am handing the baton over to the accomplished and effective Joanna Connolly after the Conference, having been Chair due to the pandemic since April 2019. In that period, we have increased our regular communications online to members, particularly successful in our programme of Webinars which are also available through the Website. We have welcomed a new approach to our administration which is now run seamlessly by Anika Holm and conference organisation by Jennifer Houlihan, and I thank all of the Executive Committee for their support and efforts on your behalf, in particular the Officers and Council Members Clive Sutton (Honorary Secretary and Council Member), Kem MasinboAmobi (Treasurer), Joanna Connolly (Vice Chair), and Lubna Shuja (Council Member and Vice President TLS). I wish you all the very best for your professional futures and thank you for honouring me with the position as Chair which has been challenging and satisfying. I wish all the best to Jo for the forthcoming year.

Penny Raby SPG Chairwoman 2021 – 2022 Please contact me at pennyraby@harmony-house.co.uk