Inspiring Leader 2010

Inspiring Leader 2010

Bernard Shepherd

Job Title: Consultant
Organisation:  HBJ Gateley Wareing

We’re delighted to announce that the winner of the BYPY Inspiring Leader award for 2010 is Bernard Shepherd, consultant at law firm HBJ Gateley Wareing and immediate past President of Birmingham Law Society.

Born in Rhyl, North Wales, Bernard initially wanted to be a farmer but, thanks to the encouragement of his parents, he eventually embarked on a legal career, going straight into articles at the age of 18 with home-town firm Joseph Lloyd & Co.

After continuing his studies in Guildford and Liverpool, Bernard moved to Birmingham in 1968, joining Lovsey Baughn and Hayward where he qualified in 1970. He joined Stephen Gateley & Sons (now HBJ Gateley Wareing) as partner in 1971 before forming his own firm, Shepherds Solicitors in 1983. He ran his own business until 2007 when he returned to HBJ Gateley Wareing as a consultant.

Bernard has been an active participant in Birmingham’s business community for more than 40 years and enjoys an enviable reputation for driving and facilitating positive change in the city. Aptly described in his nomination as ‘a bastion of what makes Birmingham great’, he has dedicated his professional life to building and improving Birmingham’s business community and is a strong voice for the city’s legal and professional services sector.

Alongside his work promoting the city, Bernard is a real inspiration to the city’s younger professionals, generously giving up his time to mentor and assist those at the start of their careers, giving them the confidence to develop their skills and pursue ambitious goals.

A champion for the next generation , he recently brought a ceremony to the city to recognise newly qualified talent in the legal sector and is also working to strengthen links with international cities, creating new opportunities for the next generation to really put Birmingham on the map.

It is clear that Bernard never tires when it comes to putting in hard work for a good cause – a characteristic exemplified through his unwaivering support for the Variety Club since 1978. Founder of the Variety Club’s Sports Personality Awards, over the years he has raised many hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity that helps sick, disabled and disadvantaged children, and has also been involved with the Round Table and Rotary Club.

Due to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary with his wife Pauline this August, Bernard has two sons, both of whom have followed in their father’s footsteps into the Birmingham business community; Michael is with Lloyds TSB and Stephen is a corporate solicitor at Pinsent Masons.

He shows absolutely no sign of slowing down and is currently set to embark on new, regionally-focussed roles that will help drive the West Midlands legal profession forwards and promote investment in the region.

Bernard’s achievements cannot help but inspire those around him. He is a truly deserving recipient of our Inspiring Leader award.