Your Voice

The latest Your Voice feature, giving LBV members a platform for their views on the current business landscape in Leicester and Leicestershire.

Founded more than 40 years ago, Nelsons has grown from a small start-up of three partners, to a leading East Midlands firm with offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. Partner and solicitor, Laura Kearsley, joined in 2012 and has built a strong reputation in all aspects of employment law, with particular experience in developing HR support services for businesses.

How would you describe what your business does?

Nelsons provides expert support and advice to businesses, individuals, and families with their legal and investment needs. One of the core values of Nelsons is to empower clients, giving them a voice and helping them to navigate legal issues and make informed decisions.

What are the biggest opportunities for your business?

Nelsons takes a forward-thinking approach to its growth strategy, actively seeking and creating opportunities to build the business. In 2023, the firm became part of Lawfront and in October and November completed two acquisitions which included the Leicester-based firm Pattersons Commercial Law, strengthening the services being offered at the Leicester office.

What are the biggest challenges for your business?

Within the legal sector as a whole, there remains a general uncertainty, particularly around European law post-Brexit. The future is quite unclear pending the General Election this year too, for example in employment, there are major changes on the horizon and any potential legal changes can make it hard for businesses to plan ahead. Therefore it is vital we remain on the pulse to offer support and guidance wherever the demand strikes.

What would you identify as the key strengths of Leicester and Leicestershire?

There is a vibrant and supportive business community in Leicester that is hard to find elsewhere; there are ample opportunities to make connections and it is a genuinely friendly place to network. There is a great entrepreneurial spirit here and many unsung heroes helping to drive investment that not only supports the city and county but contributes to the wider region’s growth too.

What are the top three ways in which Leicester and Leicestershire can develop to support the business community?

1. By encouraging more to join the charge; championing, welcoming, collaborating and mentoring others will build the community to its highest potential
2. By doing everything we can for our three universities, working alongside courses and students and helping to retain those graduates and boost our skilled workforce of the future
3. By pushing the enterprise agenda, providing support for ideas to set up businesses and acting as a hub for SMEs

Why is LBV important to you and your business?

Nelsons has been a longstanding supporter of LBV, acting as a regular host for networking events. It’s always a pleasure to welcome members into our offices so they can get a feel for what we do here. LBV provides great opportunities for networking in quite different and unusual ways, with a strong focus on championing Leicester and informing people about the city.