News & insights Rachel Roche wins prestigious Yorkshire leadership award 3 minutes of reading - Written by Roche Legal March 2024 Rachel Roche, owner of York based Roche Legal, has collected a prestigious award which recognises her impact as a transformation leader at the BusinessDesk Yorkshire Leadership Awards in Leeds. Rachel, who recently graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme in a ceremony at the Saïd Business School, Oxford, collected the Professional Services Leader award at the ceremony. The judges highlighted her impact on the legal profession saying: “Rachel champions a transformative ethos at her York-based firm and combines a culture of mentorship and professional development with a commitment to financial astuteness and operational excellence. The impact of her journey is such that the Law Society commissioned her and co-author Darren J. Sylvester to write “How to Start a Law Firm”. Rachel said: “Receiving this leadership award holds profound significance for me, as leadership has been a paramount focus for me throughout the latest part of our business growth journey. I firmly believe that genuine leadership transcends mere metrics; it’s about the ability to inspire, empathize, and steer with unwavering purpose, even through the stormiest times. “None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication and talent of our exceptional team, who continuously demonstrate their unwavering commitment to our shared vision.” Rachel, who has studied extensively in the United States alongside American lawyers, has been appointed co-chair of the New York State Bar Association London branch after creating a UK/USA probate offering which has attracted funding from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Nearly 300 people gathered at the Queens Hotel, Leeds, to celebrate the region’s finest leaders at the Yorkshire Leadership Awards and the judging panel included Karl Oxford of African and Caribbean Business Ventures, Bex Williams of Bradford 2025, Dan Fell of Doncaster Chamber, and 2019 winner Taryn Edge. Andrew Staples , theBusinessDesk.com Yorkshire editor said, “I continue to be impressed by the quality of leaders within Yorkshire and Humber. The breadth and depth of talent within the region is truly impressive – leaders who not only have the vision and drive to achieve great things but motivate and empower their teams to unleash their own potential.” Note to editors: Rachel is available for interview and can be contacted on 01904 866139 or through Chris Jones Media on 07774 772820/ 07738 005133. Further Reading When is the value of your home disregarded for nursing home fees? The Walford, R v Worcestershire County Council (2014) decision resulted in a daughter successfully having her mother’s home value disregarded in calculating residential care home fees. The court ruled that the property could not be considered in the means assessment because it was her “home,” taking into account both physical and emotional attachment. Our promise to you when writing your Will excerpt in 2 sentences from below: There has been much written about the adequacy of Will writing services around the UK in the last 12 months. As a firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority you can be confident that we will prepare a Will for you which is both in accordance with your wishes and legally sound. Our promise to you: We will at all times act in your best interests We will provide a proper standard of service We will, at all times, behave in a way which maintains your trust Appointing us as your executors: In some instances, our clients wish to appoint us to act as their executors and trustees – this is usually in circumstances where there is no obvious family member to take on that role or the person making the Will would prefer to appoint someone independent. If you decide to instruct us to act for you in this role we will always: Explain the options available to you Ensure that you understand that executors do not have to be professionals; that there may be a family member or a beneficiary under the Will; and that non-professional executors can choose to instruct a solicitor to act for them if this proves necessary and will be indemnified out of the estate for the solicitors’ fee Document the advice given concerning the appointment of executors and your decisions Ultimately, the decision is yours as to the content of your Will and who you chose to be your executors. We will always discuss the options available to you so that you can make an informed decision. There has been much discussion about the adequacy of Will writing services recently. As a regulated firm of solicitors, we ensure your Will is both legally sound and aligned with your wishes, and we offer options for appointing executors to suit your needs. A helping hand with Probate Dealing with the death of a loved one is challenging enough without the added stress of legal formalities. While executors or next of kin can apply for the Grant of Administration themselves, using a solicitor can smooth the process, reduce family disputes, and provide clear guidance on practical steps. View all insights Ready for clear, reliable legal advice? Contact us for straightforward advice that makes things easier, saves you money, and gives you peace of mind. Contact us