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FREE Digital Skills Training for SME leaders and managers in the WECA region!

Event date: 16 January
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If you are a legal sector SME business within the WECA region, we wanted to alert you to FREE in-person Digital Skills training for Managers and Leaders that is been delivered by UWE through the West of England Mayoral Fund during January 2025.

Whilst the training has been developed, and is applicable, for multiple sectors and roles, there is a strong focus on legal and professional services and Bristol+BathLegalTech and BLS have had significant input, alongside UWE, into the course content to ensure its relevance to the legal sector.

You will see from the attached flyer which contains all the course content and booking information that there are three Leadership modules to choose from. These modules have already been run successfully during 2024, although they have all been updated and refreshed exclusively for the January dates, with a focus on legal and professional services.

Each of the modules is a substantial training course in its own right, with extensive materials and self-learning content, alongside a live, in-person training day delivered at UWE’s Filton campus in Bristol. The training day dates are:

Leading in a Digital World - 16th January
Generative AI Fundamentals - 23rd January
Managing Hybrid & Remote Teams - 30th January

There are eligibility criteria which relate to being an SME operating in the legal sector within the WECA region, and being able to attend on the day of the chosen workshop.

We would really encourage organisations and individuals to consider which of your leaders, managers, partners or senior lawyers might benefit from this training and make the most of the opportunity to upskill and invest in your people and business in this increasingly digital and hybrid landscape. Exclusively, and for a limited period, at zero cost. There is no restriction on how many delegates you can register and you might have individuals who would get a huge boost to their leadership skills and knowledge by taking all 3 modules in the series (for that reason the live training dates are all one week apart).

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS