Last week at the New Forest Business Partnership Brilliance in Business Awards, Scott Bailey Solicitors won one award, was shortlisted for two others and went on to win the overall highly coveted award for New Forest Business of the Year. Here Partner James Burford reflects on a very special evening and the relevance of these achievements to the legal services which Scott Bailey provides to businesses and individuals.

(Photo Dave Dodge Photgraphy)

Last Thursday I was privileged to be in attendance at the New Forest Business Partnership Brilliance in Business Awards at Brockenhurst College. My firm, Scott Bailey had been shortlisted in an astonishing two categories, as well as our Trainee Solicitor, Emily Drew, also having been shortlisted.

• The Brockenhurst Award for Training Development
• The Fordingbridge Print Award for Business Growth
• The Southampton University Business School Award for Young Person in Business

I was delighted that we won the first award of the evening for Training and Development. For me, personally that felt truly special, receiving an award recognising training and development, at the same college where I sat my A levels over 20 years ago. Given that I myself have been at the firm since I was only 14 years old. Firstly, on work experience organised through my secondary school, Priestlands, before then going back every summer until I was given a proper job, before eventually becoming a partner in the business. I think my journey epitomises the very nature of the concept of development. We have always been a firm believer in the idea of organic growth. There are numerous examples of people within the firm who have been with us for a number of years who have grown from one role to another, learning as they go and developing in stature and status.

I’m so proud of Emily for embracing the process too. Building on Molly Gunn’s success making it to the finals last year in the same award – you have to be pretty brave as a young professional to face judges and talk about your achievements as an individual. Their futures are certainly bright.  

Whilst we didn’t manage to take home the Award for Business Growth (well done to New Forest Academy of Dance – a very worthy winner!), it was a brilliant exercise to think about how much we have grown over the years, particularly in terms of the broad range of services we can now offer, and geography we can cover – watch this space for some more news on that front in the coming weeks and months. It was humbling to then receive the overall award at the end of the evening, the New Forest Business of the Year sponsored by Solent Partners.

I’ve never been the sort of person who goes to awards ceremonies, or who shouts about how good he is. I’ve always been the one who sits at his desk with his head down, getting the job done. That’s how I have built my reputation. But for one night, it was incredible to spend time with so many amazing people, both my own colleagues and colleagues within the New Forest business community as a whole. I caught up with some old friends as well as made new ones. It’s a huge achievement to be nominated for an award, so whilst it is a cliché, everyone who took part is a winner.

I would like to thank New Forest Business Partnership for once again organising such a brilliant awards event, our clients and referrers, and of course everyone at Scott Bailey for making work feel less like work.

If we can be of assistance on any legal matter, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

James Burford, Partner, Scott Bailey LLP

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Founded in 1930, Scott Bailey has grown to become a leading firm in the New Forest, providing a full range of legal services to private individuals and businesses. Services for individuals include Residential Conveyancing, Divorce, Family, Wills Trusts & Probate, Litigation & Disputes.

SME business legal services include Corporate, Commercial, Intellectual Property, Dispute Resolution, Landlord & Tenant, Insolvency and Employment Law. Scott Bailey LLP is one of only a very few firms based in the New Forest providing these specialist services. 

The first firm in the region to receive the Law Society's prestigious LEXCEL award for high standards of practice management and customer care, Scott Bailey LLP promises top-quality, professional help from a team of expert solicitors who will put your best interests at the heart of their work.