Firm News | 5.03.26
Women of Wansbroughs Share Their Stories for IWD 2026
Wansbroughs is proud to mark International Women’s Day 2026 by sharing the experiences and achievements of more than 15 women from across the firm. Colleagues from Legal, HR, IT, Marketing, Finance, Operations and Business Support contributed to this year’s feature, highlighting the diverse roles and opportunities available to women throughout Wansbroughs.
The responses revealed three clear themes: inspiring career journeys across a wide range of disciplines; meaningful achievements rooted in professional growth and balancing work and home life; and consistent advice encouraging women to believe in themselves, be visible, stay resilient and embrace new opportunities.
These stories celebrate the women who help shape the culture and success of Wansbroughs every day.
To keep it simple and impactful, we asked our contributors three key questions:
1) Tell us briefly about your role at Wansbroughs.
2) What’s a piece of advice you would give to women entering your field or looking to progress in their career?
3) What’s one achievement you’re proud of from the last year (big or small)?
Anna Wensley Stock, Co-Managing Partner
- Role: Wansbroughs Co-Managing Partner.
- Advice: Believe in yourself and come with answers, not just questions. Put your hand up and don’t just wait to be asked.
- Achievement: Being part of Wansbroughs as it goes from strength to strength – strong financial performance while continuing to invest in our people and culture.
Our people – Anna Wensley Stock
Kate Carter-Brown, Risk and Compliance Co-Ordinator
- Role: I support Wansbroughs in meeting regulatory and AML obligations. My role focuses on strengthening our compliance framework, from onboarding clients and risk assessments to training and guidance.
- Advice: Progress doesn’t always look the way you expect it to. There are seasons when you’re quietly building this in the background by completing qualifications, taking on more responsibility at work and raising kids (often all at the same time!). It can feel messy and overwhelming and it rarely feels perfect, but progress doesn’t require perfection. Consistency and a willingness to keep going is what gets you there.
- Achievement: This past year I completed a Diploma in AML with the ICA while stepping into a more central role at Wansbroughs. Studying alongside work and being a mom to two kids made it challenging at times but also incredibly rewarding.
Our people – Kate Carter-Brown
Katie Theobald, HR Assistant
- Role: HR Assistant supporting all aspects of HR at Wansbroughs.
- Advice: Believe you are capable of more!
- Achievements: Making it to the top…and bottom of Pen Y Fan!
Laura Potter, Senior IT Engineer
- Role: Projects, planning and day-to-day helpdesk work.
- Advice: If you’re new find someone who will advocate for you. When working in a male-dominated environment, it can be hard to get heard, so this will help! If you’re looking to progress, don’t be scared to share ideas and opinions; they all count.
- Achievement: Completing my 2yr qualification in Cyber Engineering.
Sophie Carrol, Solicitor
- Role: I am a Solicitor advising on Agricultural Private Client. I assist and advise clients on a wide range of topics, including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Inheritance Tax planning and Estate Administration.
- Advice: Always back yourself.
- Achievement: Passing the STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Trusts.
Jess Martin, Associate Solicitor
- Role: I am an Associate Solicitor specialising in contentious and non-contentious private client matters.
- Advice: Be visible and engaged. When you’re present and show enthusiasm, opportunities will find their way to you.
- Achievement: I’m proud of building a career I love while taking time for maternity leave and coming back with renewed purpose and momentum.
Amanda Allen, Legal Secretary
- Role: Legal Secretary in the Commercial Property Team.
- Advice: Make a note of everything and never be afraid to ask questions.
- Achievement: Celebrating 4 years at Wansbroughs and how much I enjoy my position as a Legal Secretary in the Commercial Property Team.
Naomi Owen, Partner
- Role: I lead the Children Team at Wansbroughs dealing with a variety of cases involving children, including Social Services matters and child arrangements following separation. I mostly represent the children themselves in Court proceedings but also represent parents, grandparents and foster carers. I am often in Court as I do most of my own advocacy.
- Advice: Children Law is an excellent opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of your clients and their families. Our work often requires non-legal advice and so I would recommend having a broad range of training and interests so that you can provide practical and emotional advice as well as legal advice.
- Achievement: Obtaining a without notice Reporting Restriction Order in the High Court to protect the privacy of two children I was representing.
Holly Grant, Trainee Solicitor
- Role: I am a Trainee Solicitor within the Agricultural and Landed Estates team.
- Advice: Don’t underestimate your abilities and the value you bring to the role! Whether your strengths lie in detailed research and analysis, strong emotional intelligence, or effective problem-solving, ensure that you remain true to yourself, articulate confidently and actively seek out valuable opportunities. In doing so, you will continue to grow and excel in your career, whilst moving steadily toward your goals.
- Achievement: Over the last year, I have graduated with my LLB (Hons) Law degree, secured a role as a Paralegal and progressed to a Trainee Solicitor, relocated to Wiltshire, and begun the process of buying my first home.
Clare Tibbitts, Head of Marketing & Business Development
- Role: I lead marketing and new business development, focusing on building the firm’s profile, generating demand, and supporting sustainable growth.
- Advice: Treat every day as a learning day. Marketing, consumer behaviour, and the tools we use have changed hugely since my first role, so having a growth mindset is essential if you want to stay relevant and do your best work. Don’t be scared of technology or AI, be curious, experiment, and see it as an opportunity rather than a threat.
- Achievement: In work, learning a whole new sector, out of work, being able to do a press-up!
Georgia Hills, Trainee Solicitor
- Role: I am a Trainee Solicitor in the Private Client Team.
- Advice: I would say to be brave, be confident in your strength and capabilities, and most importantly, be you! Always think about what 10 year old you would say if they could see you now!
- Achievement: One of my biggest achievements to date is graduating with a first-class degree from university and beginning my career with Wansbroughs and starting my SQE studies. A smaller achievement if I may, is learning to put myself first and better look after myself.
Lily Gibbs, Legal Administrator
- Role: I am a Legal Administration Assistant in the Dispute Resolution team and currently undertaking a paralegal course. My role involves supporting the team with document management, client care and helping ensure the smooth running of day‑to‑day tasks.
- Advice: Have confidence in your ability and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Achievement: I’m proud of beginning my paralegal course alongside my full‑time role; balancing work and study has pushed me to develop new skills and move closer to my long‑term career goals.
Melissa Meredith, Solicitor
- Role: I am a Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution Team, specialising in commercial litigation, contract disputes, property disputes, court appearances and general litigation.
- Advice: Be proactively visible. Take confidence, do not wait to be asked, seize every opportunity.
- Achievement: Increasing my confidence with advocacy and Court appearances.
Bea Corlett, Paralegal
- Role: Assisting solicitors and the team generally.
- Advice: It is ok to change career paths in mid-life!
- Achievement: Working whilst being a mother – never doesn’t feel like an achievement.
Raman Dhillon, Solicitor
- Role: Corporate & Commercial Solicitor.
- Advice: Build confidence by celebrating your wins, surrounding yourself with supportive women, and practising courage in small steps — it grows every time you use it.
- Achievement: Qualifying as a solicitor after seven years in the making.
Georgia Clark, Solicitor
- Role: Commercial Property Solicitor.
- Advice: Commercial property is a sector where confidence, clarity and strong commercial awareness really matter. As women, we sometimes feel pressure to “prove” our place at the table, but it’s important to remember you’ve earned your seat and you wouldn’t have got to where you are in your career if you weren’t capable. It is important to build a support network early, whether that’s with peers or with the Partners in your team. Having people you can turn to for guidance, reassurance, or a second opinion will strengthen your confidence and help you grow more quickly in the role.
- Achievement: Qualifying as a solicitor in March 2025.
