THE JUDGES

Jonathan is Director of Partnerships with CTT Group and an Advisory Board Member for the Best Foundation and has a wealth of knowledge managing lawyers and barristers spanning over 30 years. Jonathan is widely acknowledged in the private client landscape for the delivery of professional services through transformational and change management, service excellence initiatives and innovative business solutions and models to be able to work smarter not harder.

Jonathan is passionate about supporting the next generation of lawyers and is always available to provide his support via coaching and mentoring to “tomorrow’s lawyers” and allow them an insight of what is needed to differentiate in a crowded legal services environment. Jonathan always embraces change and takes a keen interest in the route for legaltech, lawtech and AI (Artificial Intelligence) and how the online offering and digital initiatives, whilst bring challenges, is bringing significant opportunities to the legal sector.

Heledd Wyn, a distinguished Partner based in Bristol, excels in private client and long-term care law. Specialising in future planning, she provides expert advice on Wills, Powers of Attorney, long-term care, asset protection, inheritance tax, and trusts for individuals and business owners. Heledd is renowned for her expertise in navigating the complexities of the care system, contesting local authority decisions, and securing NHS Continuing Health Care funding. In 2021, she earned the prestigious ‘Lawyer of the Year’ award at the Bristol Law Society awards and was shortlisted for STEP Trusted Adviser and Today’s Wills & Probate Industry Champion.

A member of STEP and former STEP Mental Capacity Global Special Interest Group member, Heledd is also an accredited Solicitors for the Elderly member and a former trustee of the dementia research charity BRACE. Nationally recognised as an industry expert, she contributes to legal and national press, showcasing her rare combination of legal prowess and a personable approach, as acknowledged in client testimonials and Legal 500.

Ian Bond, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell LLP and a member of STEP Bristol, is a specialist in the non-contentious realm of estate administration, probate, and intestacy work for England and Wales. His expertise extends to estates with foreign assets and foreign estates with UK assets, particularly in dealing with complex taxable estates. Ian collaborates closely with the wills, trusts, and estates disputes team for contentious matters and has previously been appointed by the Courts as an independent administrator of contested estates.

In the broader spectrum of Private Client work, Ian handles trust formation and administration, wealth succession, and estate planning, including the drafting of wills and powers of attorney. He is a significant contributor to the legal field, having authored five chapters for the Law Society publication ‘The Probate Practitioners Handbook,’ covering client care, complaint handling, costs, and the management of digital assets on death. Ian’s insightful articles have been featured in both legal and non-legal publications, showcasing his broad legal knowledge.

Michael Culver, Managing Director, Solicitor, and Chartered Tax Adviser at Culver Law Ltd, serves as the Chairman of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE). As a Court of Protection panel deputy, he manages the financial affairs of those unable to do so independently and acts as a health and welfare deputy, making vital decisions for incapacitated clients. A Chartered Tax Adviser and full STEP member, Michael is also a dementia friends champion and part of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). Since 2008, he’s been with SFE, becoming Chairman in June 2020.

Leading the vulnerable banking group, Michael collaborates with SFE, STEP, the Law Society, the Professional Deputies Forum, and Estate Search to enhance banking standards for vulnerable individuals. At Culver Law, Michael’s comprehensive services include tax planning, Wills, powers of attorney, estate administration, and Court of Protection assistance, all aimed at safeguarding families’ futures.

Anthony, the current Director General and Marketing Director at The Society of Will Writers (SWW), brings 7 years and 8 months of dedicated service to this non-profit, self-regulatory organization. Graduating with a first-class degree in Audio Production from the University of Lincoln in 2016, Anthony initially joined SWW as a graphic designer, showcasing his versatility. His commitment and expertise led to his appointment to the board of directors in 2019.

Established in 1994 by former Director General Brian McMillan and four other business owners, The Society of Will Writers has flourished under Anthony’s leadership, becoming the largest and foremost self-regulatory body for Will Writers and Estate Planners. With over 1,700 members spanning the UK, Central Europe, and beyond to Asia and Africa, Anthony ensures the Society continues its mission to safeguard the public and advance the interests of industry professionals.

David holds the position of Managing Director at Today’s Media, a vibrant publications, events, and marketing organisation that centres on the legal sector. In his role, David oversees a comprehensive marketing consultancy, drawing upon the organisation’s extensive experience and expertise in crafting compelling content for lawyers.

Embarking on his inaugural role as a judge for the Probies, David brings a wealth of industry-related expertise to this esteemed position. He has been instrumental in the success of two national award ceremonies – The British Wills and Probate Awards and The British Conveyancing Awards. His adept hosting skills and strategic insights have significantly contributed to the prestige of these events, demonstrating his dedication to acknowledging excellence within the legal profession. In addition to award ceremonies, David has played a key role in organising various networking events and industry roundtables, further establishing Today’s Media as a prominent player in engaging with and recognising achievements within the legal sector.