The British Wills and Probate Awards 2024, sponsored by CTT Group, is just 6 weeks away with practitioners from across England and Wales coming together to recognise and celebrate excellence in the wills, probate, tax, trusts and estate planning sectors.
Starting out Ardencote in Warwickshire in 2018, the awards have grown to become the premier event in the private calendar with nearly 750 professionals from across the regulated and unregulated communities joining the 2023 either in person, or online, in Manchester. Tickets for the 2024 ceremony, which will again be live streamed via the British Wills and Probate Awards website, are available now.
Following the publication of the shortlist for seventh ceremony, Today’s Wills and Probate sat down with some of this year’s judging panel to discuss innovation, service excellence and the importance of recognising success across the wills, probate, tax, trusts and estate planning sectors.
Asked about the progress of the awards, and the quality of the entries, longstanding member of the panel Alex Holt, Jane Cassell, Aleks Tomczyk, Karen Babington and Sue Carter share their experience and insight over the course of the years they have been involved in the awards.
“From an innovation perspective it has been fascinating and reassuring to see firms with truly innovative methods and ideas, rather than, several years ago, judging submissions where innovation might have meant “we use a Practice Management System”!”
Says Alex Holt, Chief Revenue Officer at Cashroom. It’s a sentiment Karen Babington, the founder of the awards, agrees with.
“Reflecting back on the purpose of the awards, from the outset we wanted to promote excellence within the sector, drive innovation in the interests of our customers and seek recognition to practitioners. Having been a judge for a few years and seeing it from the other side my takeaway in 2024 is that the companies who are investing in their people and technology to provide the public what they need today, not in yesteryear, are coming out on top.”
For Jane Cassell of JC Independent Wills & Probate Ltd, there is a greater confidence in “acknowledging some of the “soft skills” which are necessary to serve the public and fellow team members in a supportive way”, a nod perhaps to the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brought on those seeking legal advice and law firms, and the realities of home and hybrid working.
The judges, who all sign non-disclosure agreements as part of their involvement, shared similar sentiments on the improving quality of submissions, which now require firms to provide extensive details around strategy, growth, financial performance, technology and innovation, employee onboarding and development, diversity, and training. Where relevant, the judges will also take into account evidence of client satisfaction through review platforms and social media.
“There has been a real increase in the standard of Award submissions over the years, including of the evidence supporting submissions. I feel this reflects the sector’s energy and drive to improve standards to the benefit of clients and firms”
says Aleks Tomczyk, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Exizent. Jane Cassell adds
“In my view, over the years I’ve been judging The British Wills and Probate Awards, the ability to bring the criteria alive by storytelling, has improved,”
a view shared by Alex Holt:
“Submissions have steadily improved, not only in relation to the stories they tell of increased innovation and process improvement, but also more simply in the quality of the submissions themselves. Their responses are supported with evidence rather than just statements, and they actually answer the questions!”
Advising firms of how best to approach their entries, Sue Carter, a strategic consultant with law firms and founder of Consult Sue Carter Ltd, adds there has been a ‘distinct improvement’ in the quality of submissions each year, but warns firms must answer the questions being asked.
“I do get excited when I read some of the submissions but equally get so frustrated when the questions are simply not answered!”
And on the rigour of the criteria and independence of the process the judges were in agreement.
“I do feel it is a real privilege to be a judge for these awards and it is a fairly rigorous but totally independent process. The judges give up a lot of their time but the rewards are huge as we read about innovation and how the sector is forever evolving and adapting.”
said Sue Carter; Karen Babington adds
“As judges we take our responsibility to score each entry really seriously as we see what it means to individuals and companies to be recognised. I found this year to be particularly challenging and re-read each entry 3 times before pressing the button on the final scores. Good luck to all those shortlisted – celebrate it as the competition is fierce!”
The future for awards like The British Wills and Probate Awards is positive, say the judges, recognising the important role they play in recognising excellence, sharing best practice and bringing the community together to celebrate
“The BWAP Awards and others like them are vital to supporting ongoing innovation and success in the sector. By celebrating effort, achievement, and high standards we both thank those putting in the work and encourage continuously improving excellence across the space.”
Says Aleks Tomczyk.
“The British Wills and Probate Awards are a wonderful opportunity for firms and individuals to measure themselves against their peers. The Awards have developed over the years, as have the categories and therefore the different ways to showcase your own version of excellence. I feel sure that the Awards evening is as exciting for the judges as it is for the Finalists.”
Adds Jane Cassell. Sue Carter describes awards as a ‘great motivator for firms:
“The BWAP Awards, in my opinion, are really important in this area of law. This is supported by the ever increasing number of submissions, year on year. It is a great motivator for firms to make that submission – to agree that they are worthy of an entry is a huge step and I have seen many winners in the past receive recognition for a really well thought out entry. There is of course an ultimate ‘prize’ but it really is all about taking part and recognising/celebrating excellence and innovation in their own eyes.”
And Alex Holt suggests the ability to benchmark against peers is important, adding the credibility of the British Wills and Probate Awards in particular should be a key part of firm’s communications when it comes to new and existing client engagement, staff recruitment and retention and wider sector endorsement and recognition.
Tickets for the British Wills and Probate Awards 2024 are on sale now.
