Wake Smith chairman to become High Sheriff of South Yorkshire

Wake Smith Solicitors 19 March 2024

Highly regarded corporate lawyer John Baddeley has stepped down from his role as chairman at Wake Smith Solicitors to become High Sheriff of South Yorkshire.

John, who has been at Sheffield-based Wake Smith for 37 years, will take up the ceremonial role from April 8 this year, meaning he will retire and not work for the firm for 12 months while he undertakes his duties.

As John prepares for his new position, head of property Neil Salter became the new Wake Smith chairman with effect from January 1, having worked his way up to Equity Partner/Director/Shareholder over his 26 years at the firm.

Commercial property director Paul Gibbon also joins the firm’s management board while director Rebecca Robinson is promoted to head of the corporate team with effect from April 1.

John Baddeley said: “It is a great honour to be appointed the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire.

“My decision to leave Wake Smith has been incredibly difficult. However I am handing over the role of Chairman to Neil Salter and I wish him all the best in his new role.”

Legal property expert Neil Salter, was an architect of, and one of the original members of Wake Smith’s Management Board, which he re-joined in January 2020, and is an active driver of the success of Wake Smith.

He said: “John being chosen as High Sheriff is a remarkable recognition of his profile in the city and, to an extent, that of Wake Smith.” 

Sadly for us, John will be stepping down from the firm whilst he undertakes his duties, as he will be spending substantial amounts of time with the judiciary, and the justice system of the County.”

“John has been integral to the development of the spirit and culture of Wake Smith and its continued success, and I would not be surprised if, after his time as High Sheriff, his involvement with the firm may re-commence in some way, shape or form.

“We wish him a fond farewell for now, with a huge sense of pride and admiration on his appointment.”

Neil added: “We also welcome director Paul Gibbon to the management board, who as well as undertaking his commercial property work, will continue as head of marketing, leading Wake Smith’s involvement with the UK200 and the overseeing of legal accreditations Including Lexcel and CQS.

“We are also delighted Rebecca Robinson will become head of our highly regarded corporate team from April. Rebecca’s appointment is well deserved, and she has our full backing as we grow and invest in our corporate services.”

The role of High Sheriff dates back before the Norman Conquest. There is one in every county in England and Wales. It is a non-political Royal appointment originally responsible for the maintenance of law and order within the county, and the collection of taxes for return to the Crown.

The function has evolved and it is now largely a ceremonial role with responsibility for supporting the judiciary, crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector.

To contact us please call 0114 266 6660, or click the 'contact us' button. 

Tags

Archive

October 20246September 20245August 20245July 20243June 20243May 20245April 20242March 20247February 20242January 20248December 20236November 20232October 20233September 20232August 20234July 20232June 20235May 20237March 20234February 20235January 20233December 20225November 20224October 20224September 20223June 20221May 20227April 20223March 20223February 20223January 20224December 20214November 20213October 20214September 20216August 20212July 202111June 20218May 20216April 20212March 20218February 20218January 20219December 20208November 202013October 20208September 20208August 20203July 20208June 202016May 202011April 20206March 202016February 20208January 202011December 20199November 20199October 201911September 20195August 20194July 20196May 20198April 20196March 20193February 20195January 20194December 20186November 20185October 20182September 20185August 20184July 20189June 20184May 201810April 20185March 20184February 20184January 20183December 20175November 20178October 20177September 20179August 20175July 20176June 201710May 20175April 20178March 201711February 20176January 201710December 20169November 20167October 201610September 201610August 20166July 20167June 20163May 20162April 20166March 20162February 20164January 20165December 20153November 20155October 20156September 20156August 20157July 20157June 20157May 20156April 20159March 20156February 201510January 20156December 20145November 20144October 20142September 20143May 20144March 20146February 20144January 20142December 20132November 20133September 20134July 20132June 20132May 20133April 20131March 20133February 20133January 20136December 20121November 20123October 20122August 20122July 20128June 20123April 20123March 20121January 20124December 20112November 20111October 20112September 20113August 20113July 20117June 20119May 20117April 20115March 20119February 20118January 20111December 20101October 20102September 20102August 20103July 20106June 20101May 20102April 20106March 20102February 20103January 20102December 20095November 20092October 20092September 20092August 20091July 20095June 20095May 20093April 20093March 20093February 20091January 20092November 20082October 20082September 20081August 20083July 20081January 20082

Featured Articles

Contact us