Learn about our Committee Members
The Society is run on behalf of the members by an elected committee whose contact details are shown below.
Please feel free to contact them should you have any queries or suggestions.
Matthew Field
President
Matthew is a Director and Head of the Private Client Department at SMR Solicitors, specialising in Wills, Probate and Elderly Client Services
Matthew is a highly experienced solicitor and Director at SMR, where he leads the Private Client Department. With over 20 years of expertise in private client law, he provides tailored legal advice to individuals and families on a range of matters, including wills, estate planning, probate, trusts, and lasting powers of attorney.
Michael Cullen
Vice-President
I am a Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution Department, specialising in contentious probate. I joined Bennett Griffin LLP in September 2022 having qualified and practiced at a local firm in 2013. Since qualifying I have developed a practice in trust and probate disputes.
Naomi Neville
Past President
Head of Lifetime and Estate Planning on South Coast; National Market Lead for Business Wealth – Irwin Mitchell LLP
I lead the Lifetime and Estate Planning team on the south coast, and support clients from our Southampton and Chichester offices and further afield in the UK and internationally.
My aim is to build trusted relationships with all of my clients so that I can deliver a tailored service with commercial and emotional intelligence at its core. I am recognised in leading legal guides and am a recommended lawyer in Spear’s 500 for Trusts, Structuring and Offshore advice.
I assist my clients with estate and tax planning, tax efficient will structuring, lifetime giving and on the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney (for personal and business use). I also have expertise in setting up and advising upon trusts and Family Investment Companies, and regularly advise on the application of business and agricultural property reliefs to urban and rural businesses.
I particularly enjoy finding creative solutions for business owners, farmers, entrepreneurs, directors, landowners, and those who have inherited wealth.
Stephen Brown
Honorary Treasurer
Stephen is Head of the Commercial Property at SMR Solicitors.
Specialisms:
- Residential Conveyancing
- Commercial Property
- Development Work
- Auction Purchases & Sales
- Enfranchisement and Statutory Lease Extensions
- Equity Release
Margaret Windram
Honorary Secretary
After a Law Degree at Durham University, Margaret studied for the Law Society finals at the College of Law at Guildford.
After qualifying as a solicitor with a firm in Bournemouth, Margaret moved to Thomas Eggar LLP, now Irwin Mitchell, where she is an Associate in the specialist Contentious Trust and Probate Team.
Margaret deals exclusively with contentious trust and probate and Court of Protection matters, including professional negligence claims relating to these areas of work, and Deprivation of Liberty (DOLS) and other related issues.
Margaret is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).
Outside of work Margaret is kept very busy as the mother of two young children and enjoys walking, swimming and genealogy.
Irwin Mitchell
Friary Lane
Chichester
PO19 1UF
Direct line: 01243 813201
Fax: 01243 813389
Email: margaret.windram@irwinmitchell.com
Louise Maynard
Committee Member
Louise is a highly experienced employment lawyer with over 26 years’ post-qualification experience, known for explaining complex issues in clear, practical terms.
Laura Colville
Committee Member
Laura is a Senior Associate Solicitor specialising in Trusts, Tax and Estate work. Laura is in the Estate planning team and advises clients in relation to the structuring of their personal affairs in order to achieve their objectives in terms of enjoyment of their assets in later years, considerations as to benefitting family and others post-death, and the mitigation of tax. Laura assists clients in the preparation of the Wills and Powers of Attorney, as well as Trust arrangements.
Irwin Mitchell
Friary Lane
Chichester
PO19 1UF
Email: Laura.Colville@IrwinMitchell.com
Aneta King
Committee Member
Aneta has extensive experience in working with adults and children who have suffered life-changing injuries including the brain, spinal cord, complex orthopaedic, and eye injuries resulting in blindness and psychological/psychiatric injuries. These injuries can result from road traffic accidents, accidents at work, slipping & tripping in public places, falls, and farming accidents. Aneta also has a special interest in cases involving Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS), having worked with world-leading experts in this field.
Contact Details
Office: 61a North Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1NB
Direct telephone: 01243 812418
Email address: aneta.king@georgeide.co.uk
Nicola Brown
Committee Member
Nicola co-founded Pure Employment Law Solicitors in 2010. She qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and gained experience in employment law at two of the South East’s leading law firms. In 2006 she received a Distinction in her Masters degree in Law and Employment Relations. She has expertise in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, dismissal, breach of contract, pay and benefits and family-friendly rights.
Email: nicola.brown@pureemploymentlaw.co.uk
01243 836840
Rachel Strange
Committee Member
Rachel has specialised in personal injury claims for over a decade, predominantly in the South Coast. She has developed a thorough and proactive approach to managing her cases and she has a strong local reputation for achieving great results for her clients.
Kelly Brown
Committee Member
I am a Senior Associate within the Private Client Department. I joined Bennett Griffin in October 2023 with over 13 years’ experience of dealing with all aspects of Private Client Law including Estate Administration, Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection.
During my training contract I discovered my love for Private Client and from then on that was my focus. I have worked in Private Client since I qualified and I cannot see myself doing anything else. My work will always allow me to help my clients and I enjoy giving them the time and support they deserve whether that is for a Will, Lasting Power of Attorney, management of affairs or dealing with an estate. I am organised and meticulous and I have an eye for attention to detail. I am a firm believer that a job should be done properly even if it takes you a little longer to do than originally anticipated.
Qualifications
- Qualified as a Solicitor 2010
- Legal Practice Course 2007
- LLB Law 2006
Areas of Expertise
- Administration of Estates
- Wills
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Court of Protection
Memberships
- The Law Society
- Association of Lifetime Lawyers
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Sarah Pennicott
Committee Member
Sarah Pennicott is an accomplished Associate Solicitor and the Head of the Family Law team at Bennett Griffin LLP. With over two decades of experience in family law, Sarah has built a reputation for her expertise in handling complex cases, including matrimonial finance, Children Act proceedings, and matters involving military pensions. Her compassionate yet pragmatic approach ensures that clients receive tailored advice and support during challenging times.
Emily Wentworth
Committee Member
I’m an Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell advising my clients on all aspects of their UK estate planning needs. I provide advice on wills, trusts, powers of attorney and all aspects of UK estate administration.