UPDATE FROM THE MANAGING PARTNER
Our statutory accounts for FY25 have been signed off and filed at Companies House Including the cost of sales adjustment for work in progress added during the year, revenue exceeded £20m for the first time. Fee income was up 10% on the previous year ’ s annualised figure Profits and net assets were also up in an excellent set of results. The employee annual profit bonus calculation has therefore also been finalised, and I am pleased to inform you that this will amount to £2,255 per full time eligible member of staff This will be paid (less the £500 paid on account in the summer) in the December payroll. Thank you all for your contribution.
Again, thanks to everyone ’ s continued contributions, our financial performance in this financial year has remained steady. Fee income in October 25 was £1,705k coming in behind budget by just £33k. This was a good result especially in view of the high billings in the previous month and the impact of half term Year to date fee income was ahead of budget by £504k (4%). So far, we have been maintaining a reasonable headroom against the budget that puts us in a good position for the rest of the financial year
Given December will be a short month in terms of working days and people will be on leave, there could be a dip in billings in December. We’d request everyone (where possible) to please aim to get a larger proportion of their bills out this month with the aim to not leave too much to do in December. Low billings for two months in a row is likely to be detrimental to our yearto-date performance.
The Partners met for their annual Strategy Day earlier this week. As well as measuring progress against the current business plan, the focus this year was on looking further forward than the current year and even the current business plan. In particular we wanted to address the fact that unarguably we have already met our current vision of being a leading multi-specialist law firm. We also wanted to look more clearly at setting out what differentiates us from other firms – why we are here and why clients should instruct us With the pressures of day-to-day work, it is never easy to find time to reflect strategically on the business, and it was a productive and interesting discussion between the partners I will be letting you have more details about this in the New Year when we have completed our work on this following the strategy day discussions.
Finally, work on finding alternative Streatham premisses continues and again we hope to be able to announce more on this shortly
Please note that this update is confidential to the staff of Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP and should not be disseminated outside the firm.
HUMAN RESOURCES
UPDATE
PAYROLL PAYMENT DATES
Please note that due to the festive period and bank holidays, both December and January payments will be processed one week early Normal payment dates will resume in February
PENSIONS UPDATE
I would like to inform everyone that NatWest will be on site on Tuesday, 2nd December, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
By this date, everyone will have received a welcome pack and will have instructions to download the phone App.
NatWest will be on site to provide support for anyone.
EVENTS CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 2025
DECEMBER 2025
EVENTS ROUND-UP
DAVID MARSHALL’S 40TH ANNIVERARY
A huge thankyou to everyone who joined us at the OXO Tower to celebrate David’s remarkable 40 years with the firm.
It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout, and we hope you enjoyed the chance to reconnect and network with colleagues old and new.
Click here to view photos from the evening
Following this event we are at the early stages of developing a more structured alumni programme, including both comms and events to keep in touch with previous staff, spotlight where they are now, and to highlight some of the firm’s successes each
TRUSTS AND TAX ROUNDTABLE
Jeremy took his first step into the world of events this month co-hosting a roundtable discussion with Umar focussed on a complex case study.
The event was well attended with 26 external attendees and so far has received great feedback. We were able to identify some new contacts who may refer work, implemented follow up, and are already beginning to plan a second event to coincide with the end of the financial year
EVENTS ROUND-UP
FAMILY SOLUTIONS GROUP EVENT
“On Monday evening, I was co-host of an event run by the Family Solutions Group. This is a group of multi-disciplinary volunteers committed to looking at the needs of separating families, and their children especially, outside of the ‘family justice system’ The evening was partially to commemorate five years of the FSG’s existence, which has been run and thrived due almost entirely to the ‘force of nature’ behind it, Helen Adam, who was previously a partner at Anthony Gold.
The event was also to take stock of where we are now, after various reports and initiatives, since we were set up Lord Justice Cobb. He had been commissioned to report on the state of the family court and in doing so realised that this was only one part of a much bigger picture. The result of the enquiry into everything else was the FSG report: “What About Me”, which was described as a ‘ game changer’ by the President of the Family Division. LJ Cobb (who gave a speech) and another LJ were in attendance
Also present was Sir Simon Hughes, well known to Anthony Gold as being the MP for the London Bridge area for many years He has agreed to help me with one of our key aims, to get a post set up of a Commissioner for Separated Families. He’ll be visiting Anthony Gold in a couple of weeks.
To find out more about the FSG, there is a short film here and a link to the website here.
I also want to say a huge thanks to Amarah who helped me with the ‘thankless task’ (to quote another FSG member) of organising all the name badges for 120+ people. The firm had visibility also when I had to send out final instructions from my Anthony Gold email.
Perhaps you can spot an ex-BBC newsreader in the photo of the FSG members! Joanna Gosling (not actually part of the FSG) is now a family mediator and an influential and well-placed advocate for out-of-court solutions.” - Caroline Bowden
MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE UPDATE
PIZZA LUNCH
The recent pizza lunch was very well attended by staff at all levels, giving us an opportunity to chat about things other than work. These events give staff the opportunity to catch up with colleagues in other teams that they might not see or talk to day-to-day.
Look out for our Festive Afternoon Tea on Thursday 18 Dec in both offices. th
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS COMMITTEE UPDATE
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
COMMITTEE UPDATE
AMAZON GIFT LIST
Demelza have launched their Christmas gift list for the children that they support and their siblings The list will be updated continuously as Demelza reach out to each of the families of those children, so there are plenty of opportunities to help a family to create a special Christmas.
Please use this link to access the gift list - Amazon co uk – if you decide to purchase from this list then please have this delivered straight to our London Bridge office marked for my attention, or bring this in to the office if you have it delivered to your home. I will need all gifts purchased with me by 5 December as I plan to visit their Sittingbourne site in early December to deliver the gifts
Alternatively, if you would prefer to buy a gift and have it delivered straight to Demelza then please send this to their Sittingbourne site - Demelza Kent, Rook Lane, Bobbing, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8DZ - FAO Jade McMannus – please let me know what you have sent, for my records and so that I can let Jade know to expect this. - Sarah Hughes
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
COMMITTEE UPDATE
As we begin the countdown to the festive period, we will be once again supporting the Team London Bridge Gift Back present appeal. This wonderful initiative provides small gifts and useful items to people in need, and the campaign benefits a wide range of local charities who support those experiencing homelessness, the elderly, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those who struggle with poor mental health.
The scheme will distribute collected presents to local charities including:
Time & Talents - Community hub serving Rotherhithe and Bermondsey. Providing a wide range of vital support and social contact groups for isolated older people, free activities for disadvantaged children and families
Bede House - Based in South Bermondsey, they provide support to adults with learning disabilities, victims of domestic violence and young people aged 8-19
Stones End Day Centre - Based near Borough Station, their day centre supports those aged 55+ who are facing poverty, social exclusion, and physical and mental suffering.
South London Refugees Association - Working with refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in crisis.
One Southwark – young people from Southwark who are facing barriers to employment, training, housing and other
Southwark Care Leavers – young people from Southwark who are either currently in care or have recently left care
The Manna Society – based just next to London Bridge station, they support homeless people by offering them two warm meals a day and access to showers and IT equipment
There are also a few more local charities on the waiting list, ready to benefit if we receive more donations than expected. We’ll share the full list at the end of the campaign.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
1) Donate a Gift: A large collection box will be placed in the kitchen of both offices where you can leave your unwrapped, new, and non-perishable items Do have a look at the attached gift guide for inspiration!
2) Help us drop off the gifts: the Team London Bridge office is just by London Bridge station, it’s a 3 minute walk from our London Bridge office, the more the merrier!
Deadline: Please ensure all donations are received by Tuesday 9th December.
Please contact Kirsty Burns or Freya Jacobs for more information.
AG CHARITABLE TRUST
Lawyers are not generally known for their modesty but it does rather appear that the Anthony Gold Charitable Trust hides its light somewhat under a bushel You may not even know that Anthony Gold has a Charitable Trust. We do! And it makes many valuable and worthy donations throughout the year.
The Charitable Trust is a separate entity to Anthony Gold. The board of Trustees comprises Peter Mantell (external and Chair), Steve Whitaker, Jackie Spinks, Ellie Solomon, Amanda Hopkins and Lee-Marvin Tolentino Grainne Feeney has oversight of the Trust and its accounts Lee is also a member of the Responsible Business Committee (RBC) and is a valuable conduit between the Charitable Trust and the RBC.
The Board meet two to three times a year to consider requests for donations Over time the Board has devised criteria to apply when deciding if a donation is appropriate. This criteria is flexible (sometimes a donation just feels ‘right’) but generally is it the AG Charitable Trust’s aim to support local charities that undertake activities which align with the work and values of Anthony Gold. It would not be an understatement to say that the Trust has helped ‘ save ’ some charities that would otherwise not have been able to carry on. This has become more so over the past couple of years with the increased cost of living and the drop in charitable donations in general.
This month the Board met and agreed to donate to 4 charities, 3 of which are children’s charities.
WHIZZ KIDS
Whizz Kids is a charity for young wheelchair users Ellie nominated this charity after becoming aware that, for the first time in its history, it had to close its waitlist for children needing wheelchairs due to lack of funding. After discussing donating funds for one wheelchair, the Board recognised that one wheelchair for a child has a time limited benefit The Board agreed that rather than make a one-off donation, Steve (who has worked with and supported Whizz Kids in the past) would re-connect with the charity and offer to sponsor a child with their wheelchair and mobility needs up to adulthood.
CHILDREN AHEAD
Children Ahead is a charity which supports children with learning difficulties The Board agreed to fund a therapy room (£5,900) which will go a long way to help transform the lives of the children the charity helps.
YOUNG ROOTS
Young Roots is based in London This charity helps young refugees and asylum seekers, both with practical services and offering emotional support, particularly to those who may find themselves here without any other family member. The board agreed to make a donation of £2,000.
AG CHARITABLE TRUST
CRISIS
Although the criteria set by the Board usually means the Trust does not donate to large, national charities, Crisis is a charity close to the heart of Anthony Gold. We have had many staff members over the years volunteer their time to this charity. Lee has been providing his time and support to the charity at Christmas for the past few years and he will be doing so again this year at their Pimlico hub The Board was happy to make a donation of £2,000
If there is a charity that you wish the AG Charitable Trust to consider, please get in touch with the Board. There is a dedicated ‘AG Trustees’ email address.
The Trust also welcomes nominations for charities that you have a personal connection with, which otherwise would not fulfil the usual criteria - it is all part of supporting the AG community. Aside from the Charitable Trust, if anyone wishes to contribute further please remember we offer two paid volunteer days a year. If there is anyone that would like to join Lee and volunteer with Crisis this Christmas, further information on how to sign up to a volunteer hub can be found on herehttps://www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-at-christmas/.
Let us know what charity work you are doing, all our valuable contributions deserve to be recognised and celebrated, it is no time for modesty!
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
As the new 2025/2026 Practising Certificate year has begun, you should have now received notification of your renewed Practising Certificate.
As you will have seen from the SRA’s email, they remind us of the following:
We require solicitors and registered lawyers to maintain their competence to carry out their role. This means you must keep your knowledge and skills up to date, including any relevant legal, ethical and regulatory obligations relevant to your role.
We expect you to reflect on your practice and address any learning and development needs, including your professional obligations. Each year when you renew your practising certificate, you will have to declare that you have met our requirements.
Your new SRA Learning & Development Records will be uploaded to the K drive shortly and a reminder that your record should be completed throughout the course of the next 12 months in accordance with the SRA’s requirements.
The next course in our VinciWorks series is Anti-money laundering: A Refresher.
Learning objectives:
Understand how to comply with anti-money laundering requirements
Recognise which legal services are at the greatest risk of abuse
Understand how to conduct different levels of Client Due Diligence
Recognise the most common red flags
Know how to report suspicions
VinciWorks will provide us with completion reports for the courses and we will update your training records in Personio on your behalf, but you can of course still do this yourself if preferred
A reminder to those who have not yet completed the previous training courses, please log in and complete these. If you need any assistance or have any queries, please let us know.
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
On Wednesday 12 November Beth Pipe delivered 2 afternoon sessions in our London Bridge office on Handling Difficult Conversations and Developing Assertiveness.
The sessions were interactive and participation was encouraged to help reinforce key concepts
Feedback has been very positive and slides have been shared with those who have attended.
TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER TH
Beth Pipe will be returning to our London Bridge office to deliver a workshop on Delegation Skills.
This workshop will look at the perspective of both the person delegating and the person being delegated to
If you would like a space on this workshop, please contact Lucy as soon as possible.
WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER TH
On Wednesday 26 November, Phil Avis of Masters Legal Costs Services LLP will be joining us in our London Bridge office for a Lunch and Learn session on Budgeting. th
Phil will be focussing on costs budgets, budget variations and Solicitors Act proceedings The session will end up some tips on maximising recovery and there will be time for questions at the end.
Those in our Litigation teams have received the invite however if anyone else would like to attend, please contact Lucy as soon as possible.
NEWS & CONTENT
UKTOP200LAWFIRMS
th
The second part of the Lawyer’s UK 200 2025 was released on the 6 November and we are proud to announce that Anthony Gold are position 167, an improvement of 14 places on last year!
Click here to view the report, which includes interactive and downloadable firm specific profiles.
TIMESTOPLAWFIRM
We are delighted to announce that we have once again been recognised in the The Times’ “Best Law Firms” list, underscoring our commitment to excellence across the firm.
Click here to see our page on the website.
On 13 November, Rayssa gave a talk at the Clarion COP Rising Star Masterclass to 75+ attendees Clarions are well known amongst professional deputies and in our network. The talk covered topics such as safeguarding, capacity assessment, case law updates and was 3 hours long! Rayssa was asked to talk alongside several partners/senior members of other firms and provide a 30 minute talk on her best tips for handling difficult clients, managing a busy workload and avoiding burnout The attendees were a mix of junior staff from other firms, and they followed up with lots of useful questions for Rayssa!
NEWS & CONTENT
THELAWSOCIETYPRIVATECLIENTMAGAZINE
Holly Miéville-Hawkins and David Wedgwood reflect on the proposed move away from the testamentary capacity test in Banks v Goodfellow in the Law Society PC Magazine
Click here to find a link to article 1. Click here to find a link to article 2.
ANDREWBROOKESINSIDEHOUSING
Andrew was mentioned in an article by Inside Housing‘Decanting’: how to deal with blocks that are too unsafe to occupy Publication date: 23/10/2025
STAFF NEWS
INMEMORYOFPAULKINGSTON-LEE
We are saddened to share the news that Paul Kingston-Lee, who worked in the Henry Hughes & Hughes accounts team and later joined AG following the 2012 merger, passed away last month.
Paul retired in March 2020, just as the country entered lockdown. Steve, Denise, Spencer McGuire (a former AG colleague) and Angus attended his funeral last week to pay their respects. Paul is fondly remembered by those who worked with him, and our thoughts are with his family and friends
STAFF NEWS
TOBY’SNEWYORKTRIP
“My wife and I went on a weekend trip to New York last week to see in the autumn colours. We managed to fit in a Mamma Mia production on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre and ended up walking 48km over two days which is good because that makes me feel much better about eating too much American fast food.” - Toby
The trainees recently went to Electric Shuffle for a social event They played a few games, had some food, and spent some time together outside the usual work setting. Here are a couple of photos from the evening.
“Our baby Casper was born on 31 October. He is adorable and doing really well George is a very proud big brother”Adam Dyl
STAFF APPRECIATION
We would like to thank Clemmie Bridges for organising the first trainee solicitor social! It was a fantastic opportunity for all of us to catch up and get to know each other better. We really appreciate the effort you put in to bringing everyone together and making the evening so enjoyable ��
From – AG Trainee Solicitors
“Thank you to Sarah Naffine for being so supportive and proactive in arranging an occupational health review for me. Sarah made the entire process very easy and stress free, I would encourage anyone else who thinks they may benefit from a review to contact Sarah as it really is worth it and Sarah handles everything extremely well ”
-Sam Lewis
“After 3 years of intensive work, Beth had a great result winning her 4 day trial in a property fraud case Client is extremely happy to have his house back in his name. ”
-Val
