‘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

Eurofighter deals secure thousands of jobs Typhoon production in Samlesbury, Lancashire

Eurofighter deals secure thousands of jobs

24 Dec 2024

2

Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP Grant McGeever and Sarah Smith MP

Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP

23 Dec 2024

3

The Flow Group acquires Blackburn based Modern Bookbinders in strategic asset purchase The Flow Group's Richard, Mick and Helen

The Flow Group acquires Blackburn based Modern Bookbinders in strategic asset purchase

23 Dec 2024

4

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance LeeThompsonfulfilmentcrowd

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance

20 Dec 2024

5

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team The team

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team

20 Dec 2024

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

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-4.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2025 - 15 Jan 2025

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

R.I.S.E. and Shine
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

R.I.S.E. and Shine

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

08:45 - 11:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
17 Jan 2025

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event

Lancastrian Suite, Town Hall, Chorley, PR7 1DP

08:30 - 10:30

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

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

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 LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin