‘Rising star’ lawyers are shortlisted for Lancashire business awards

Dedicated lawyers Oliver Bagnall and Patrick Swanney have made the final cut of a prestigious award scheme for Lancashire’s young leaders and difference-makers.

Oliver, aged 33 and Patrick, also 33, from WHN Solicitors, are among the rising stars shortlisted in Lancashire Business View magazine’s Sub36 Awards.

Oliver is one of six finalists in the ‘Young Professional’ category, while Patrick is among six people in the running for the ‘Young Lancastrian of the Year’ accolade.

The awards, which culminates in a glittering prize-giving ceremony at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on October 17, recognises the county’s most exciting business prospects aged under 36.

This year’s finalists span a wide variety of industries and backgrounds, with candidates representing professional services, digital media, engineering, health and care and manufacturing.

Oliver and Patrick must now impress the panel of judges when they are interviewed at Ewood Park in Blackburn later this month.

Michael Shroot, chief executive officer at WHN Solicitors, said: “WHN is committed to being a place where people not only enjoy to work, but are proud to work. Oliver and Patrick are great cheerleaders of the WHN brand and put hard work and dedication into everything they do, whether that’s providing expert advice to our clients or contributing to the communities we are part of.

“I wish both of them the very best in the awards.”

Oliver is head of WHN’s seven-strong commercial property department in Blackburn and was instrumental in doubling the team’s turnover to more than £500,000 in two years. He became a director of the law firm – which has more than 100 staff – before he was 33, with only five years’ post-qualification experience.  

Oliver also played an important role in helping the firm to win the ‘legal services’ accolade at the Red Rose Awards after a record year that saw WHN increase turnover by nine per cent – up to nearly £4.8m from £4.38m.

Patrick, who specialises in private client work, is heavily involved in a number of local dementia support organisations and is a Leisure in Hyndburn trustee, responsible for overseeing the borough’s £2.5m budget.

As if this was not enough, he recently set up Accrington Pals, a networking group that encourages business leaders in Hyndburn to do businesses with one another, rather than going outside the borough. He is also a first XI player at Enfield cricket club, where he donates time helping juniors, assisting training sessions and fundraising to help with the club’s £300,000 annual running costs.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors

Latest news

1

Barnfield Construction transitions to an Employee-Owned Business Staff Cheer Photo.jpg.jpg

Barnfield Construction transitions to an Employee-Owned Business

24 Jan 2025

2

Wallsauce looks to grow B2B customer base with increased trade focus Martin Emmott Rosebud and Andy Gerraty Wallsauce

Wallsauce looks to grow B2B customer base with increased trade focus

24 Jan 2025

3

CBP goes into administration Community and Business Partners in Blackburn with doors shut

CBP goes into administration

23 Jan 2025

4

Plan moves forward for new £13.2m Innovation Hub Councillor Phillippa Williamson and Coun Aidy Riggott

Plan moves forward for new £13.2m Innovation Hub

22 Jan 2025

5

Record turnover as Napthens continues to grow Stephen Faulkner

Record turnover as Napthens continues to grow

22 Jan 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

North West Holiday Home Show
PLG - NWHHS - Social - Jan 2024.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
18 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025

North West Holiday Home Show

South Lakeland House Showground, Yealand Redmayne, LA5 9RN

09:00 - 14:58

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire
LBV Hub Event Image.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR7 1PS

18:00 - 20:00

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Police Apprenticeship event
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Social
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Jan 2025

Police Apprenticeship event

University of Central Lancashire, Foster Social Space , Preston , PR1 2HE

16:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200Atkinsons New
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin