BLS is delighted to announce the renewal of our long term sponsorship relationship with Howden

Posted on04 June 2025

Howden is the largest British owned broker and one of the largest employee owner businesses in the UK. In the lawyers space, Howden acts for around 2000 law firms in respect of their professional indemnity insurance and associated insurances, ranging from sole practitioners through to top 100 & 200 law firms.

Howden has extensive direct access to a wide range of A-rated insurers, as well as their own exclusive facility which is only available to firms by approaching Howden.

Howden also offers a full spectrum of insurance solutions for law firms and their clients, ranging from employee benefits and office insurances through to private client services.

Helen Read, CEO of BLS commented 'We are delighted to renew our sponsorship relationship with Howden for a 4^th year. Over that period Howden has provided our members with valuable PII market insights and services through webinars, roundtables, consultations and risk conferences which have been very well received. We find the local and national team contacts very approachable, accessible, and knowledgeable and keen to assist our members whether that be part of an informal discussion, or through formal instruction. We look forward to another year of working together for the benefit of our members.'

Matthew Baker, Divisional Director of Howden commented “Howden is proud to continue our sponsorship and relationship with BLS. Over the last few years’ we have supported BLS members through our hosted events such as webinars, roundtables, conferences and our thought leadership articles. We have a large regional presence in Bristol so we have feet on the ground enabling us to support local firms big and small.

4 June 2025

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