Spotlight: Categories highlight the importance of helping others

The British Wills and Probate Awards are taking centre stage once again this October, and we’re excited to shine a spotlight on some of the returning categories for this year’s awards.

Alongside our headline sponsor, Executor Solutions and Champagne Sponsor, Exizent, we look forward to recognising achievements, highlighting progression and championing innovation.

Charity Legacy Team of the Year

This award recognises those who combine the best traditions of the charity sector with a deep legal knowledge and sensitivity to administer part of the c.£3.1bn that is left to charity each year.

For the purposes of this Award, a team can be one person. Only staff working within a charity can be nominated. Contractors and consultants are not eligible. Teams may not nominate themselves, but can be nominated by people working at other charities or legal professionals with whom they have a professional relationship.

Last year’s winner was the team at Cancer Research, who were commended by the judges for their ‘care and collaboration’. The British Heart Foundation were highly commended in this category with Save the Children taking third spot. 

A spokesperson for the charity, said:

“We pride ourselves on excellence in everything that we do. The strategy that we have shaped and embedded is far-reaching and pushes the boundaries of both legacy fundraising and administration and it’s wonderful to be recognised in this way for our ambitions.”

Community Involvement Award – sponsored by Honey Legal

This award goes to the firm with an organised approach to corporate social responsibility. The winner will be able to demonstrate a tangible and consistent programme of community involvement over the last 12 months. Judges will look for commitment and passion in making a difference to the winner’s local community and for a strong connection between the activities undertaken and the firm’s values.

Note: entries for this awards are for practitioners only.

Last year’s winners of this award was Stanford Wills, with the judges commenting “A fantastic well evidenced submission showing that size does not matter but their commitment and willingness should be applauded”.

They were shortlisted alongside Oliver & Co who were highly commended and Simpson Solicitors.

Innovation of the Year – sponsored by Ampla Finance

This award represents an innovative project or product that has greatly improved the customer journey and taken the area of Wills and Probate forward.

Last year’s winner was Tower Street Finance, whose Inheritance Advance product was commended by the judges who said  it was “a beneficial prodyct defining its own space in the market”. Foor Anstey were highly commended and EstateSearch took third place.

On hearing they had won, Tower Street Finance said: “We spent the best part of 2 years creating a new product which we believed was unlike anything else available in the market and was available to all customers, regardless of their financial circumstances.  Since launching in June, both customer and probate professional feedback has been fantastic – professionals in the sector are now able to offer a more complete service to their customers, which in turns creates a better customer experience.  Being awarded this accolade so early on in our tenure makes us all very proud, shows the hard work was worth it and it’s great to think our industry also believes in the product!”

More information about the awards, including a full list of categories and how to enter is available on The British Wills and Probate Website.

Get involved with the conversation using #BWAPAwards2021