‘Role model of fairness and professionalism’ steps down as Barcan+Kirby managing partner
Bristol law firm Barcan+Kirby managing partner Bill Willcocks is to retire from the partnership this month after 27 years with the firm.
Bill, pictured, who has specialised in personal injury and dispute resolution since qualifying as a solicitor in 1994, will continue to support the firm in a consultancy role, with current executive partner and family lawyer Anna Wilson set to take over as managing partner.
Bill joined Kirby Simcox in 1998, became a partner three years later and took on the role of managing partner in 2010 following a merger with Sheppard.
In 2015 played a pivotal role in the firm’s merger with Barcan Woodward – forming Barcan+Kirby – and he has led the firm as managing partner since 2017.
Under Bill’s leadership, Barcan+Kirby, which has five offices across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, has flourished commercially and culturally.
It has achieved a 67% increase in partners – with a significant shift towards gender diversity, growing from an 80% male partnership to 60% female.
The team has also expanded – staff numbers have risen by 34% from 139 in 2015 to 186 last year.
In addition, Bill has been instrumental in broadening the firm’s scope beyond traditional high street legal services, developing a strong reputation in company and commercial law across Bristol and beyond.
The firm said Bill would be deeply missed with colleagues describing him as an inspiring leader, a generous mentor and a role model of “professionalism, fairness and warmth”.
They said his calm and approachable manner, combined with his fantastic sense of humour, had made a lasting impact on everyone who worked with him.
Bill said: “It has been a privilege to have been entrusted with the leadership of Barcan+Kirby and before that Kirby Sheppard for the last 13 years.
“Thinking about how the firm has grown since 2001 when I was first appointed as a partner at Kirby Simcox amazes me.
“I have worked with some great colleagues over the last 30-plus years since I qualified as a solicitor, sadly not all of whom are still with us.
“I have learned from all of them and hope that I may have left a positive mark on others I have met along the way.”
He said he was leaving the firm in very good hands as he retired and was sure its unique culture would continue.
“Caring and respect for each other – clients, colleagues and the wider community alike – lies at the heart of everything we do, and I am proud to have played some part in that,” he added.
“Most of all, though, I am looking forward to not setting my alarm clock.”
