Women take leading roles at legal firm
Battens Solicitors in Bath has announced a change of ownership with four women to own the business.
Chairman David Stephens and commercial property director Ray Edwards will step down with five of Battens’ senior solicitors becoming the new owners and directors.
The five new owners include Ceri Stephens
(inset), who will take the reins as managing director, and Peter Livingstone, who will become chairman.
They will be joined in the running of the firm by equal shareholders Katherine Gilmour, head of company and commercial, Louise Gidley, head of family, and Naomi Dyer, head of private client.
Despite interest from external parties in the 150-strong firm, the former owners wanted to prioritise passing the firm on to existing members of the Battens team.
Mr Stephens, said: “Ray and I are both absolutely delighted that it has been possible to pass the ownership and running of the firm on to existing Battens team members.
“Ceri and Peter will continue as directors, and Louise, Katherine and Naomi who are becoming directors have been well-versed members of the management committee, so we’re leaving the business in really safe hands.”
Battens chose to make this announcement on International Women’s Day to celebrate the fact that four of the five new owners of the firm are women and says it is committed to equal opportunities for all.
Ceri said: “We are all really excited to be at the helm of Battens and writing the next chapter of the business. I hope that being a board made up of 80 per cent women will inspire others, both within the firm and externally, to fulfil their potential.
“With all five of us already involved in the running of the firm and having a fantastic team of people behind us, we are looking forward to keeping the business going from strength-to-strength.
“And despite the challenges the pandemic has brought over the past twelve months, it has given us insight into new ways of working and how to remain agile and customer-focussed in a fast-moving market.”