Law firm shows commitment to developing talent with Partner appointment

Paul Bowden beomes a Partner.

WILKIN Chapman solicitors is delighted to welcome Paul Bowden to the partnership, underpinning the firm’s commitment to developing and retaining the region’s most talented professionals.

As a Partner, Paul heads up the firm’s Local Authority Creditor Services (recoveries and insolvency) team at the region’s largest law firm – with management responsibility for 15 people in the team. The team is actively engaged in working with approximately 100 local authorities throughout England and Wales, together with other creditor clients.

For Paul, the new position represents further progression within the firm, where his career began in 2009 after graduating from the University of Hull, passing his Legal Practice Course in York and completing his training contract at SJP Law in Hull.

Rising to senior solicitor in 2013, his natural progression then moved him almost exclusively toward business development and managing client relationships. His role within the Recoveries team has been important in Wilkin Chapman’s growing relationship with local authority clients across the country.

Called ‘Resolution’, the team’s work offers a unique service to the public sector – providing the full suite of action required by a local government revenues team. This support includes advice on specialist enforcement, rating advice and assistance with business rates avoidance schemes and any other legal/recoveries-based issues a client may have. Paul also plays a pivotal role in winning work for colleagues in the Insolvency Team in Beverley.

Paul has an interesting insight into just how local authorities are meeting the challenges of continued austerity, reductions in staffing numbers and the withdrawal of Central Government grants yet whilst having the continued requirement to increase revenue.

“There are some very real issues for local authorities. Unlike commercial creditors, they do not choose their customers but instead they must deal with the people and businesses that exist within their individual areas – along with the debts that may come with them.

“At the same time, they have an obligation to protect the public purse along with a statutory obligation to recover unpaid taxes,” explains Paul.

“There is no doubt that local authorities have additional hurdles that will not be faced by the private sector and it is important that close relationships are forged in order that the very best advice can be provided and the necessary support given in all areas of income generation. I am delighted to be progressing my career here and primarily in a market that I understand and am well established in,” adds Paul.

Paul’s appointment as a Partner is a reflection of the growing importance to develop this sector within the firm, says Wilkin Chapman Chief Executive, Des Mannion.

“There is no doubt that local authorities continue to face some significant challenges, and it is the expertise delivered by Paul and the team that will be vital in helping them in the future. I am also extremely pleased to see Paul developing his career with the firm, which looks to offer clear career paths and opportunities for people to develop their skills and grow to senior positions with the firm.” says Des.