CHENNAI — Actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has delivered a seismic shock to Tamil Nadu politics, emerging as the single largest party and poised to form the next government after a landslide performance in the 2026 Assembly elections. As vote counting progressed on Monday, May 4, TVK surged ahead in more than 100 of the 234 seats, breaking the decades-long dominance of the Dravidian majors DMK and AIADMK in what analysts are calling a generational shift driven by youth voters and anti-incumbency.
Early trends and partial results showed TVK leading or winning in key urban and rural pockets across all regions, including traditional strongholds of both major parties. Vijay himself is leading comfortably in the two constituencies he contested — Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East — while Chief Minister M.K. Stalin trailed in his Kolathur seat. The ruling DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK alliance lagged significantly behind in most counting rounds, with TVK’s momentum building steadily through the day.
The election, held in a single phase on April 23 with a record turnout of around 85 percent, saw TVK contest all 234 seats independently without any pre-poll alliances. Vijay’s campaign focused on jobs, education, farm loan waivers, anti-corruption and a “new Tamil Nadu” beyond traditional Dravidian politics. His massive fan base, known as Thalapathy fans, turned out in huge numbers, particularly among first-time voters and urban youth disillusioned with the established parties.
By late afternoon, TVK had crossed the 100-seat mark in leads, putting it within striking distance of a majority (118 seats). The DMK alliance was struggling in second place, while AIADMK managed to hold some southern and delta seats but fell short of mounting a serious challenge. Smaller parties and independents picked up the remainder. The results signal the end of the bipolar Dravidian politics that has defined Tamil Nadu since the 1960s.
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Political observers described the outcome as historic. TVK’s debut performance echoes past actor-politician successes like M.G. Ramachandran’s but with a modern, youth-centric twist powered by social media and cinema charisma. Vijay, who entered politics in 2024 after years of speculation, positioned himself as an alternative to both DMK’s welfare model and AIADMK’s legacy, appealing to voters seeking change amid concerns over unemployment, inflation and governance.
Stalin conceded the shift in fortunes as counting continued, while AIADMK leaders expressed surprise at the scale of TVK’s surge. Congress and BJP, allied with DMK and AIADMK respectively, saw limited success. The high turnout reflected intense voter engagement in this triangular contest, with many crediting Vijay’s energetic campaign for mobilizing apathetic sections of the electorate.
The implications extend beyond Tamil Nadu. A TVK victory or strong showing could inspire similar celebrity-driven movements in other states and reshape southern politics. It also raises questions about post-poll alliances, though TVK’s independent contest strategy suggests Vijay aims to govern on his own if numbers permit. Market reactions were cautious, with some volatility in stocks linked to state contracts as investors awaited clarity on the new power structure.
For the DMK, the results represent a significant setback after a decade in power marked by infrastructure pushes and social schemes. Stalin’s leadership faced criticism over delivery gaps and family dominance allegations. AIADMK, still recovering from internal splits, struggled to capitalize on anti-incumbency as TVK siphoned votes from both sides.
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Vijay maintained a low profile on counting day, visiting temples and focusing on spiritual reflection. Party workers celebrated in streets across Chennai and other cities, waving flags and chanting slogans. TVK spokespersons projected confidence, saying the wave was “unstoppable” and reflected people’s desire for a fresh start. The party’s organizational machinery, built rapidly since 2024, proved highly effective in mobilizing voters.
As final tallies emerge, all eyes are on government formation. If TVK secures a majority, Vijay could be sworn in as Chief Minister, becoming one of the youngest in the state’s history. Even short of that, its position as the largest party makes it a kingmaker or dominant force in any coalition scenario. The coming days will test TVK’s readiness to transition from campaign mode to governance.
The 2026 verdict rewrites Tamil Nadu’s political map. For decades, DMK and AIADMK alternated power in a predictable binary. Vijay’s TVK has shattered that equilibrium, ushering in a new era where cinema charisma, digital mobilization and generational aspirations challenge entrenched ideologies. As celebrations and soul-searching continue across the state, one thing is clear: Tamil Nadu has voted for change.
Good afternoon, and welcome to the Sanderson Design Group plc Results Presentation for the year ended 31st of January 2026. [Operator Instructions] Before we begin, we’d like to submit the following poll. I’d now like to hand you over to Lisa Montague, Chief Executive Officer. Good afternoon.
Lisa Montague CEO & Executive Director
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Thank you, and good afternoon, everybody. My name is Lisa, and I’m here to share with you today, along with my colleague, CFO, Mike Woodcock, our results for Sanderson Design Group to our fiscal year end ’26, which was on the 31st of January. And thank you for joining us. I will share with you an overview of the year, and then Mike will give you a bit more financial detail and hand back to me to talk about the future and how we have continued to accelerate some of the key strategic and transformational initiatives and shaped our strategy to improve our results in this year and beyond.
Our business at a glance, for those of you that don’t know us is that we’re a leading interior furnishings group that designs and makes world-class fabrics and wallpapers. We also have a strong licensing channel that delivers finished goods with specialist partners in our core markets. We employ 500 people, all of whom are committed to leading the industry in the way we work. I’ve been here 7 years, now and Mike has been with us for 4, and we both have luxury goods backgrounds and international backgrounds.
To recap this year for the results that we’re announcing, we really have highlights of the year, resulting
Spirit Airlines kiosks at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on May 2, hours after the carrier shut down.
Leslie Josephs/CNBC
BALTIMORE/NEW YORK — Spirit Airlines was hours away from its final flights Friday afternoon. Jeremiah Burton was hours away from his first.
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“It’s my first time flying,” Burton, a 45-year-old air conditioning and heating technician, told CNBC at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Friday, shortly before he was scheduled to depart for New Orleans to visit his daughter and her newborn twins.
“To tell you the truth, I just went online and Googled the cheapest airline ticket,” he said, adding that he paid about $500 for the trip late last month. He was scheduled to return on May 6.
While Burton waited for his flight, Spirit was making final preparations to shut down overnight, ending a three-decade run that brought discount air travel to millions across the United States and as far away as Peru. Spirit canceled international flights on Thursday, to start, so travelers, planes and flight crews wouldn’t be stranded. The airline said it flew more than 50,000 people the day leading up to its collapse.
Spirit bondholders rejected an 11th-hour bailout proposal from the Trump administration that could have included up to $500 million to keep the ailing airline afloat. The deal would have put the government ahead of other bondholders’ claims and given it an up to 90% stake in the airline.
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called Spirit CEO Dave Davis to tell him there was no deal and that bondholders and the government were far from an agreement, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the communication. Bondholders sent a letter to Spirit’s board, confirming that the end was near.
Terminals go quiet
A self-check-in kiosk at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport displays an “Operational Update” message after Spirit Airlines announced it was ceasing operations early Saturday amid an impasse in talks with some creditors over a $500 million government bailout plan, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, May 2, 2026
REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo
Before dawn on Saturday, Spirit’s website and app were papered over with the message that operations had ended. “To our Guests: all flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer available,” it read.
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By noon, LaGuardia’s Marine Air Terminal, an Art Deco facility that opened in 1940 and was home to Pan Am’s Clippers — and, most recently, home to Spirit at the New York airport — was nearly silent.
Cibo Express closed half a day early with no customers to serve. CNBC saw the last Transportation Security Administration officer who was sent home early. Screens on the arc of yellow kiosks read: “We regret to inform you that Spirit Airlines has ceased global operations.”
“It has been an honor to bring friends and families closer together for 34 years,” it said at the bottom, with a QR code with next steps.
United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and others said they are capping fares to get travelers home. United said about 14,000 Spirit customers booked tickets on United on Saturday. Southwest said it took in more than 20,000. JetBlue also announced plans to expand its schedule at Fort Lauderdale with a host of new services to destinations ranging from Cali, Colombia, to Nashville, Tennessee.
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Crews scrambled to get home.
Jon Jackson, a Spirit Airlines captain, was supposed to fly his retirement flight on Saturday, but his airline shut down before he could.
He hopped on a Southwest flight to get back to Baltimore from Fort Lauderdale. While on board, “we casually mentioned it to the crew,” his son, Chris, a Southwest pilot, said in a Facebook post. Southwest staff organized a water cannon salute when the aircraft arrived and he was met with applause and a reception when he walked off the jet bridge, according to the post, which was confirmed to CNBC by Southwest.
Snowballing challenges
While things came to a head this week with access to cash drying up, Spirit’s problems were years in the making. It was profitable in the 2010s and expanded rapidly as customers filled planes. But it last made money in 2019.
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The carrier has faced intense competition from richer, giant rivals Delta Air Lines, United and American.
Spirit was also under pressure from rivals’ own bare-bones fares, soaring costs, a failed acquisition by JetBlue Airways that the Biden administration Justice Department successfully challenged, and an engine defect that grounded many of its jets. Airlines grew more reliant on high-spending customers who shell out thousands for plush, premium cabins. Most recently, the surge in jet fuel prices resulting from the Iran war was a challenge the airline couldn’t overcome, it said.
In August, Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a year, and analysts said part of the reason was that it hadn’t done enough to reconfigure the airline and slash costs and that it had avoided hard decisions in its first filing in 2024. Weeks before it had hoped to emerge free from its bankruptcy, it faced the added challenge of expensive fuel.
A Spirit Airlines customer service area at LaGuardia Airport’s Marine Air Terminal in New York.
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Leslie Josephs/CNBC
Some 17,000 direct and indirect employees lost their jobs as a result of the airline’s collapse, the carrier said.
“The pain of this decision will not be felt in boardrooms. It will be felt by pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, dispatchers, and ground crews, and by the families and communities that depend on them,” the Air Line Pilots Association’s international president, Jason Ambrosi, wrote Saturday.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the union of Spirit’s roughly 5,000 flight attendants, wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, urging them to try to help ensure that flight attendants are paid and compensated for earned vacation and per diems as the case works its way through bankruptcy court. She also asked that they receive a $600 weekly supplement to state unemployment from the federal government.
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“Standard unemployment coverage does not replace full wages, and this enhanced support would help stabilize households while workers secure new employment,” she said.
The airline ‘America loved to hate’
Spirit had just about 4% of the U.S. market share, according to aviation-data firm Cirium, but an outsized presence in many Americans’ minds — and on their social media feeds.
Henry Harteveldt, Atmosphere Research Group founder and former airline executive, said Spirit was a “true pioneer” of discount air travel but still was the “airline America loved to hate,” in part because of its bare-bones fares, customer service debacles, and spotty reliability in earlier years.
Spirit became a favorite punchline among comedians. “The CEO of Spirit Airlines was like, ‘With $500 million [from the Trump administration] our planes could have two wings again,” “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon said last month.
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Read more about Spirit Airlines’ recent challenges
In 2017, Spirit enrolled customer-facing employees in the Disney Institute, a Disney leadership and professional training subsidiary, to improve its staff interactions with customers and had made strides in improving its on-time performance.
It still had fans and willing customers, right up until the end.
“For a two-hour flight, I could really suffer a lot,” said Kara Snyder, 30, who works in health insurance sales. She said that for a short flight from Florida to Baltimore, scarce legroom and perks don’t matter to her. Snyder said she flew Spirit to Baltimore and was flying back to Orlando on Frontier Airlines. “I tend to stick with budget airlines,” she said.
International flights to Europe or Africa are another matter, said Snyder. “I go Delta,” she said. “I’m picky on that. It has to be Delta.”
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‘Good luck to you all’
Friday evening at Spirit’s headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida, near its home base of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Spirit’s executive team was huddled in a war room, watching its last flights come in.
News broke earlier that at 3 a.m. on Saturday, the clock would run out for the airline and its fleet of bright yellow jets.
“Good luck to you all,” said an American Airlines employee to a Spirit flight, according to audio posted by LiveATC.net. “Sorry to hear what happened.”
One of the pilots on the last Spirit flight, NK1833 from Detroit to Dallas Fort Worth International, shortly before touching down after midnight Saturday, asked the tower: “Is there any other Spirit flights coming in after us?” There were 175 passengers on board.
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“I don’t see anything,” the controller said. “So you might be the last one.”
He later told the pilot, “Well, it was a pleasure working with you guys and I wish you the best.”
“Thank you very much,” the pilot replied, according to LiveATC.
Wes Egan, a Spirit dispatcher for roughly 23 years, told CNBC that he was working in the company’s operations center in Orlando late Friday when one of the carrier’s pilots was asking for information about the fate of the airline. Senior managers had just informed the staff there around 11:30 p.m. that operations were about to cease.
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He sent a text message to the pilot via a special cockpit system for alerts and other information.
“UNOFFICIALLY WE STOP FLYING AT 0300 EST ON 05/02,” said the message. “GODSPEED MY FRIEND.”
Good afternoon, and welcome to the Santhera Pharmaceuticals Investor Presentation. [Operator Instructions] Before we begin, I’d like to submit the following poll.
I’d now like to hand you over to the management team. Dario, good morning, sir.
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Dario Eklund Chief Executive Officer
Thank you, Lilly. Good morning and for those in the U.S. who are joining us and good afternoon for those here in Europe, and welcome to this full year 2025 investor call. As usual, I’m today joined by Catherine Isted, who’s our Chief Financial Officer; as well as Shabir Hasham, who is our Chief Medical Officer. They will both give their respective parts of the presentation and be here for the Q&A as well.
So can I have the next slide, please? Can we have the next slide after that? Here we go. Now, the disclaimer, please. Can we go back? So I just want to draw your attention to the greetings from our legal department here where you should, at your own leisure, read this if you’re not familiar with the text. And with that, let’s move into the actual presentation.
So 2025 was a really exciting year with expansion and global momentum continuing. This –these six points that you can see on this slide here really are the summary of our presentation. Today, we will have deeper dives on each of the six subjects. But I just want to highlight a few things here that, first of all, in Austria and Germany, we are continuing to make great progress. In Q1 of this year, we actually had 50% growth over last year, which means that in Germany, we’re well over 40% penetrated in the
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil legend Cafu has ignited a global debate by declaring that Neymar is technically superior to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, throwing his full support behind the 34-year-old forward as Brazil prepares for the 2026 World Cup. The 2002 World Cup-winning captain made the bold claim in a wide-ranging interview, praising Neymar’s unparalleled dribbling, vision and creativity while acknowledging the greatness of the two modern icons.
Cafu, widely regarded as one of the finest right-backs in football history and a two-time World Cup winner, did not mince words when assessing Neymar’s place among the game’s elite. “Technically, Neymar is better than both Cristiano and Lionel,” Cafu told Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte. “His close control, the way he sees the game, the dribbling — it is on another level. If he stays fit and focused, he can lead Brazil to glory in 2026.”
The comments immediately went viral, sparking passionate discussions across social media, podcasts and football talk shows. While many Brazilian fans celebrated the endorsement of their national hero, international observers offered more measured reactions, noting Neymar’s undoubted talent but highlighting Ronaldo and Messi’s superior goal tallies, consistency and trophy cabinets.
Neymar, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in 2023, has battled recurring injuries in recent years that have limited his appearances for both club and country. Despite this, he remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps. His flair and creativity have long been compared to legendary Brazilian predecessors like Pelé, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Nazário, but questions about his mentality and physical durability have often overshadowed his brilliance on the pitch.
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Cafu, who captained Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, drew on his own experiences to support his assessment. “I played with and against the best,” he said. “Neymar has that special something — the joy, the improvisation. When he is at his best, defenders simply cannot stop him. Ronaldo and Messi are incredible finishers and winners, but technically, in pure football terms, Neymar stands out.”
The timing of Cafu’s remarks is significant. With the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico just months away, Brazil is under pressure to deliver after disappointing performances in recent tournaments. Coach Dorival Júnior has built the squad around Neymar, hoping the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star can recapture the form that made him one of the most exciting players on the planet.
Neymar’s club form in Saudi Arabia has been mixed. While he has contributed with goals and assists, the league’s physical demands and travel schedule have raised concerns about his fitness for international duty. Brazilian football federation officials have worked closely with Al-Hilal to manage his workload, prioritizing his availability for national team commitments.
The comparison with Ronaldo and Messi is inevitable but complex. Ronaldo, 41, continues to score prolifically for Al-Nassr and Portugal, recently becoming the all-time leading international goalscorer. Messi, 38, led Argentina to Copa América glory and the 2022 World Cup before moving to Inter Miami. Both players have cemented their legacies with multiple Ballon d’Or awards and major tournament triumphs.
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Neymar, by contrast, has never won a Ballon d’Or and has yet to lift a major senior international trophy with Brazil, though he was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2016 Olympics. His supporters point to moments of sheer genius — the dribbles, no-look passes and audacious goals — as evidence of a higher technical ceiling. Critics counter that elite football is ultimately about winning, where Ronaldo and Messi have delivered consistently at the highest level.
Cafu’s backing carries significant weight. As one of only three players to win the World Cup twice as captain (alongside Bellini and Pelé), his opinion resonates deeply in Brazilian football circles. He has previously praised Neymar’s talent while urging him to embrace leadership responsibilities, a message he reiterated in the recent interview.
“Neymar needs to stay healthy and believe in himself,” Cafu added. “Brazil has always produced magical players. Neymar is the latest in that line. With the right support and mindset, he can bring the World Cup home again.”
The comments have divided football fans globally. Brazilian supporters largely welcomed the endorsement, seeing it as validation of their belief in Neymar’s potential. International fans offered more balanced views, acknowledging Neymar’s skill while defending the achievements of Ronaldo and Messi.
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Social media platforms lit up with debates, memes and video compilations comparing the three players’ best moments. Hashtags like #NeymarBetter and #CafuSpokeTruth trended in Brazil, while global football communities engaged in lengthy discussions about technical ability versus overall legacy.
As Brazil prepares for friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, all eyes will be on Neymar’s fitness and form. Coach Dorival Júnior has expressed confidence in his star player, building the team’s attacking strategy around his creativity and vision. The squad also features rising talents like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Endrick, creating a potent mix of experience and youth.
The 2026 World Cup represents a crucial moment for Neymar. At 34, it may be his last realistic chance to win football’s greatest prize. Cafu’s public support adds pressure but also motivation, positioning Neymar as the heir to Brazil’s rich footballing tradition.
Whether Neymar can translate his technical brilliance into World Cup success remains to be seen. What is clear is that Cafu’s comments have reignited the conversation about one of football’s most gifted yet enigmatic talents. As the countdown to 2026 continues, Brazil and the football world will watch closely to see if Neymar can finally deliver on his immense potential.
Ownership of the 14 year old agency has transferred to Sarah McKevitt, Lia Gordon and Katie Toman
14:49, 04 May 2026Updated 14:54, 04 May 2026
The Podium team in Newcastle(Image: Podium)
A Tyneside digital marketing agency is looking to the future following a successful management buyout. The team at Gosforth based Podium has completed the MBO with ownership transferring to three long-standing members of its senior team.
Ownership of Podium, which specialises in SEO, PPC (Pay-Per-Click) and social media management, has transferred to Sarah McKevitt, Lia Gordon and Katie Toman. Founder and managing director Andy Thevarokiam, who set up the company in 2012, is stepping back from day-to-day leadership.
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Ms McKevitt, Ms Toman and Ms Gordon have held long-standing roles within the company and have been closely involved in its growth over a number of years. They will now jointly lead the next phase of the business, with a focus on continuity for clients and further development of the agency’s offering.
They said the deal ensures the company remains independent, and that they plan to boost their local client base by 20% over the next year.
Mr Thevarokiam will remain involved while handing over operational control to the new ownership team. He said: “This decision comes with a great deal of pride. It’s not goodbye, but the start of something new.
“Sarah, Lia and Katie have been central to the business for years and know it inside out. The service and results our clients expect will remain unchanged, with fresh energy driving the next phase. The business is in safe hands, and I’ll continue to support the team as they take it forward.”
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Ms McKevitt added: “The chance to lead a business I’ve helped shape since 2017 was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
“We are staying true to the values Andy instilled, exceptional results and a modern, flexible workplace, while pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve for our clients over the next 12 months.”
The agency will continue to operate under the Podium brand.
The Cardiff-based family law firm was established in 1996 with co-founder Mel Hamer with an appetite for sustained growth
15:00, 04 May 2026Updated 15:28, 04 May 2026
Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice directors Melanie Hamer, David James, Sarah Wyburn, Rebecca Knight, Sam John.
A leading family law firm is celebrating 30 years as it continues to expand. Cardiff-based Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice was established as the first specialist family law firm in Wales, and one of the first in the UK, in May 1996.
It launched with just two partners, one paralegal and three secretaries – drawn from the family law team at the Cardiff office of Eversheds (now Eversheds Sutherland). The firm was then known as Wendy Hopkins & Co.
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Melanie Hamer, one of its original co-founders, along with the late Wendy Hopkins, is still with the firm today.
Director Ms Hamer said: “I was just 30 years old, newly married and was presented with this enormous opportunity by Eversheds. It was a risk, as with all new firms, but I felt at the time it was a manageable risk. I decided that I would give it three years and if it did not work, I could always get out and get a job. I had to borrow just £35,000 from the bank to co-finance the firm at the beginning.
Fast forward 30 years and the firm’s revenues have grown from £220,000 gross in its first year of trading to nearly £3m in its last financial year. The team has increased from six to 22.
Ms Hamer said: “We started on client number 100 because we did not want anybody to be client number 1 and for the outside world to think we didn’t have any clients. We are now on client number 13,365 meaning that over the last thirty years we have serviced 13,265 clients.
“I can’t quite believe my luck. I never set out with a big ambition or business plan to be one of the best family law firms in the UK. In the early days, I just hoped to make enough money to pay my mortgage.
“The success of the firm has exceeded all my wildest expectations, and I have great faith in my team that it will continue the great reputation of the firm for years to come, and we shall continue to punch above our weight, often attracting work from London as well as closer to Wales.”
The firm’s clients include high net worth individuals, celebrities, sports personalities and business owners. It recently acted on a case worth £77m.
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The firms’ ownership structure also evolved over the years. At launch the only option available was to be a partnership. As soon as it able to it became a limited liability partnership (LLP) and latterly a limited company. It has expanded from two partners to five directors and three shareholders. Originally operating out of rented office space at 26 Windsor Place, it now own occupies 10,000 sq ft of owned space at the 12 and 13 Windsor Place.
Melanie Hamer back in 1996.
On the success of the firm over the last 30 years, Ms Hamer said: “It is a combination of matters. We employ clever and conscientious people, and we make sure we look after them. From day one we have grown organically by taking lawyers on as paralegals and then in due course promoting them to trainee solicitor and then solicitor etc. Indeed, one of my shareholders and directors started as my trainee in the year 2000.
” Another director and shareholder started as a paralegal in 2011. The firm genuinely feels like a part of my extended family, and I care deeply about them all. I was also blessed with being in partnership until two years ago with one of my best friends, Thea Hughes, who retired in May 2024.
Ms Hamer, 60, says she no plans to retire. She added: “I still love my job, and I still feel that I do a good job, so as long as I continue to tick those boxes, then I see no reason to retire.”
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