Simon Smith is the senior partner of Bower Bailey Solicitors. He’s an expert in Commercial Property and is based in the Regent Circus office in Swindon.
1. How has 2022 been for business? Business has been strong. We are fortunate to have a diverse and loyal customer base whom we value highly. Legal services are a necessity, even in trying times and we endeavour to ensure a swift resolution to our client’s individual requirements.
2. What have been your highlights of the year? On a personal front I must say that it was great to see the Lionesses Win Euro 2022. Their win certainly boosted and united us as an office.
3. How has Bower Bailey changed/developed this year? Despite the current economic climate, I am pleased that we have seen the growth of our team in Swindon. We have expanded in the Swindon office with lots of new joiners including two of whom who have just commenced their training contract – Jack Antoniou and Tilly Corrigan. We’ve seen three of our team in Swindon promoted to Partner – Paul Brame (Commercial Property), Eugene Murphy, (Residential Property) and Lesley Stone (Residential Property). A true recognition of the valued roles that they all play. In 2023 we have even more expansion planned which is exciting.
4. What are you looking forward to in 2023? In 2023 we will be celebrating 38 years of the Swindon office, 50 years of Bower Bailey. I can’t quite believe that I am entering my 39th year with the firm and that it’s almost 38 years ago that I opened the Swindon office.
5. What community events are you supporting next year? We like to get involved with local community events. We love supporting Swindon Youth Festival of Literature and Swindon Recital Series and we are looking forward to working with them again in 2023.
6. What are you doing to celebrate 50 years of the firm? We are hoping to celebrate in each office across Swindon, Oxford, Witney and Banbury. We are aiming to celebrate the essence of the firm – our people, our legal experts. We operate like a family and a team and we are looking forward to celebrating our achievements.
7. Having worked in the local market through the 90s recession and the 2008 crash, what are your thoughts on the current state of the financial markets and the impact / potential impact on business? Well, no one could have predicted our current situation, not even George Orwell. I always think it’s sensible to exercise caution particularly in uncertain times but equally it’s important to remain optimistic. We are all being impacted by the current economic uncertainty and we hold strong to our aim which is to guide our clients with salient legal advice. Swindon is a robust and diverse market which has made it an enjoyable place to work for the past 38 years.
