VWV Appoints New Managing Partner

Posted on30 May 2023

National law firm VWV have confirmed that with effect from 1 May 2023 their new Managing Partner will be Commercial Property Partner Steve McGuigan. Steve, who joined VWV as a trainee solicitor, takes over from Simon Heald who also trained at the firm and has been Managing Partner for the last 15 years.

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said:

"I feel very honoured to start the role of Managing Partner at VWV. When I started at VWV I found a supportive, collaborative and ambitious group of people, committed to helping our clients achieve their goals, and to ensuring that people who joined the firm fulfilled their potential. Those fundamentals are still the same today. We can celebrate many successes but we remain ambitious to do more. Our vision for the business is to be industry leaders in our key sectors and services, to fully embrace emerging technologies and AI to offer the best possible client experience.

"Simon has successfully guided us through a period of huge change and growth, steering us safely through many challenges in the process. We have added new offices in Birmingham, London and Watford, grown the group turnover to £50m, and invested in three subsidiary companies, Cairneagle, VWV Plus and Narrow Quay Consulting. I am very grateful to Simon for all the help and guidance he has given me over many years now, but especially in the last year as he has supported me with the transition into this new role.

"We have a fantastic team and I am looking forward to working with them to continue to grow and succeed."

Simon responded:

"I have enjoyed the responsibility and challenges of leading the business since 2008. It's now time to hand over to Steve, who I've worked alongside for over 20 years. The VWV group is in good hands in the years ahead."

VWV Chairman Richard Phillips commented:

"Huge thanks to Simon from the Partners and staff here at VWV and all our good wishes to Steve as he prepares to lead VWV into a new chapter. We have exciting plans for growth and service delivery in the coming years, and with Steve's talent and dedication, we're well-positioned to achieve our goals in the VWV style - collaboratively and through effective teamwork."

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