Ward Hadaway strengthens rural team
14th October, 2025
Ward Hadaway has expanded its agriculture, rural business and estates team with a series of senior strategic appointments aimed at strengthening the breadth of legal services it provides for landowners, estate managers, farming families and rural businesses.
The Ward Hadaway team is led by Tom Wills, who has joined to become head of agriculture, rural business and estates. With strong roots in the North East and a hands-on approach, he advises farming families, estate owners, managers and rural businesses on everything from farm and land sales or purchases, landed estates, renewable energy and restructuring to succession planning and inheritance matters.
He is joined by Alison Hall, head of private client and Jamie Brown who will all complement the existing experienced team which includes Stefan Bainbridge, Alex Cox, Andrew Facer and Nick Gholkar. Together, the senior team forms part of a wider multi-disciplinary group offering national legal support across land, property, energy and development schemes, family matters, partnerships, succession planning and disputes across England and Wales.
Tom Wills said: “Our clients want advisers who understand their pain points – that means spending time on-site, building relationships and offering advice that fits the realities of rural life. You can’t do this job properly without being immersed in your clients’ world – knowing how they manage their land and businesses, the pressures they face and what matters to them long term. Whether we’re advising on succession, a land sale or a diversification project, the legal advice must be practical, commercial and tailored to that specific client and their needs. That’s the kind of bespoke support this team is built to deliver – personal, informed and consistent.”
The expanded team that includes Sarah Dove, Hannah Taylor, John Ellis, Deborah Spence, Lauren Frisby; Jeremy Hardy and Louise Masters, is further bolstered by newly appointed rural private client specialists Kirsty Allen, Megan Bradley and rural property solicitor Sam Watts.
A number of the lawyers are recognised as leaders in their field in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Alison is head of private client at Ward Hadaway and is nationally recognised for her work in estate planning, trusts and succession. She works closely with high-net-worth individuals, landowners and families to provide advice on complex wealth structuring, tax planning and legacy matters. Alison’s expertise is a key part of the team’s holistic approach, helping clients navigate the legal and personal aspects of managing estates across generations.
Steven Petrie, Managing Partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “We’ve brought together a fantastic, experienced team encompassing leaders in the sector who combine technical expertise with real insight into the rural economy. The team reflects our continued investment and desire in this sector to give our clients the best advice & service and emphasises the value we place on long-term relationships with our clients across the region.”
Find out more about the rural team’s extensive services here.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
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