Committee 2011-2012
The Holdsworth Office (top floor of the Law School) is open daily between 1-2pm.
James Frost (Chair)
This year I have the pleasure of taking over from the long line of successful committees as Chairman for 2011-12.
The Holdsworth Club is one of the most historic and prestigious societies at the University of Birmingham. In this, its 83rd year, it promises to continue its long held reputation of providing not only a diverse range of incredible social events, but also a huge array of meaningful opportunities for individual career development.
The society has and will always hold a special place in my heart, having given me some incredible memories and opportunities over the last 2 years. I can wholeheartedly say that it has reflected the best part of my time at university and I am committed to ensuring that every new law student can say the same.
University is all about making the most of everything on offer, trying new things and meeting new people, and being a part of the Holdsworth Club is the easiest way for any law student to guarantee that their years here are not only an incredible experience, but that they act as a genuine foundation for their career to blossom. There are so many opportunities to be a part of, so it is hugely important to get stuck in early on and find out what brings you the most enjoyment.
I am incredibly proud of my involvement with the Holdsworth Club over the last couple of years, and it is a society which continues to go from strength to strength. This year promises to be no exception, with some amazing plans in development, so it is well worth getting excited and long may it continue
Andrew Swarbrick (Treasurer)
I joined Holdsworth in my first year and was on the committee in my 2nd year as sports officer. I can’t think of a better way to get the most out of your university experience. In first year Holdsworth is an incredible way to enjoy some great socials (which will be getting even better this year) and form a group of friends from your course who appreciate the stresses and strains associated with a law degree. In 2nd year Holdsworth becomes a place in which you can find support and help in relation to the different challenges facing you when the work begins to really pile up.
As Treasurer, I aim to make sure Holdsworth reaches its potential, using all the different sources of income to ensure all the events are even better than last year; I’m responsible for ensuring that we stay financially stable and therefore I have to take my role extremely seriously!
I would really encourage you to sign up straight away. It is a great way to make friends you will really appreciate as your degree grows ever more challenging and social events such as the trip and the Ball really are experiences unique to Holdsworth. I look forward to meeting you all next year!
Alex Lane (Careers)
My name is Alex Lane and this year I am the Careers Officer for the Holdsworth Club. The Careers Officer position is quite a challenging and varied role. Generally, my duties include arranging events with Solicitor’s Firms, LPC Providers as well as other organisations in the Legal Industry so that students can have access to the best possible careers advice possible. These events can vary from simple firm presentations to much more practical events like practicing you’re commercial awareness or interview skills so it’s very important that the events I organise are interesting and unique.
This year, I hope to develop and expand the position of the Careers Officer from not simply booking rooms and facilitating events but to also playing a much more active role in the personal and professional development of our members. That’s why this year I will hopefully be rolling out some new features like an event primarily for first years, a weekly online newsletter and an event showcasing non-legal careers. These will hopefully make sure that Careers Events of all types and aimed at all people will be on offer. I will also hopefully be able to answer any queries you may have as well as direct you to the best resources where you can get all the information you need to succeed.
For little about me; I enjoy watching Rugby League as well as playing Rugby for the Law School’s team. I love going out whether it’s to a bowling night, cinema or a few drinks in a good pub. I’m from Wigan near Manchester and so I love everything about Northern culture. Holdsworth is one of the best societies in the University and hopefully with my plans for the Careers side of the club, will continue to grow.
Poppy Wilkinson (Secretary)
Hello I’m Poppy and I will be your secretary this year! I have just finished my first year as a law student at Birmingham and I had an amazing year and I put that down to being a member of the Holdsworth club. The social events are a great way to meet other law students and Holdsworth is definitely your first call for anything careers related. Last year was an amazing year for Holdsworth but as a committee we have been working really hard to make sure this is the best year yet!
As secretary I will be in charge of a lot of the admin work and keeping on top of membership lists and keeping the communication between the committee and members as smooth and frequent as possible. If you have any questions or issues I will always be happy to help so feel free to send me e-mails or if you see me around the law school just ask me and I’ll do my best to help you or put you in touch with someone who can help.
You should definitely become a member of Holdsworth asap and start making the most of everything we have on offer for you!
Katherine East (Events)
Hello! I’m Katherine and I’m one of your social secretaries this year along with the lovely Ffion Archer.
I started out in first year as everyone does, overwhelmed and nervous. I decided, rather spontaneously and without really knowing anyone, that I would go on the Holdsworth Christmas trip at the end of my first term and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I got to know people in all 3 years which was so helpful for exam advice and buying books, and I also found people in my own year who were just like me, people who have gone on to be some of my best friends and, in one case, even my housemate. On top of that, anything extra-curricular you get involved in looks amazing on your CV as it shows you’re a well-rounded person that can organise themselves well in order to take part in activities that interest them whilst still maintaining good grades. There’s no point in showing a law firm your 1st class degree if you can’t prove you can communicate well and work effectively as part of a team. So my advice to any student is really just to get involved, put yourself out there and try everything because you honestly won’t get an opportunity like this ever again.
As social secretary it’s my job to make sure you’re having as much fun as possible after all the lectures and supervision work, so I’m setting out to get people involved and integrated through a range of events, from boozy mash ups to sober days, as well as the infamous trip and the prestigious Holdsworth ball. But alongside this I want to hear people’s opinions and ideas so that everyone gets the most possible out of Holdsworth, so if you ever have a comment or query please feel free to get in touch, both Ffion and I are incredibly approachable and talkative people so we’re always here for a chat.
I can’t wait to see you at an event!!
Katherine.
Ffion Archer (Events)
I’m Ffion Archer, and along with Katherine East, I will be Events Officer for the Holdsworth club this year. I’m really looking forward to the role, and am excited to continue the fantastic events that Holdsworth has to offer. For me my favourite event this year was definitely the Law Ball. It’s nice to dress up and have a really classy night out for a change.
The freshers events like the meal and LAID also really helped me feel at home at University,and were a great way to meet more of the second and third years. My advice to newfreshers would definitely be to get involved, even if you feel you don’t know many peoplegoing to an event. I’ve met so many new people through Holdsworth events and it definitely makes the transition to University a lot easier, and a lot more enjoyable!
My aim for the year is to continue fantastic Holdsworth events, including social events where we can mingle with firms, the classics such as L.A.I.D, Law v Medics and Freshers v 2nd and 3rd Years, and of course, plan an amazing Christmas trip! I also plan to make sure everyone gets involved this year by organising a range of events to suit everyone’s idea of a great night out. Katherine and I are very approachable so if you feel there’s a different event that needs planning, please tell us!
Have fun this year, get involved, work hard as well and I’ll hopefully see you at one of the events soon!
Hannah Short (Fresher’s Rep)
Hello, I’m Hannah and I’m your Freshers Representative for this year. As part of my role i’m here to make sure you integrate well so please don’t hesitate to contact me about any problems or queries you may have. I understand that, your first year can be daunting and a little confusing at times, so feel free to drop me an e-mail and i’ll be happy to help!
The Holdsworth Club is an essential part of every law students life, providing an invaluable support system that will help you get the most out of your degree. Being a part of the Holdsworth club really made my fresher year truly unforgettable, from the infamous L.A.I.D bar crawl in the first term to the Law Ball, the fabulous events put on by the committee made my freshers year extra special! I’ve been working had to ensure that your first term is going to be like no other and I cannot encourage you enough to get involved, you do not want to miss out!!
It’s not all messy nights out though, Holdsworth offers loads of great opportunities in terms of careers, sport and drama. There’s something for everyone and the chance to mix with older students and get advice is really invaluable.
With so much going on it’s easy to get distracted and it’s important to remember why we’re here. If you keep on top of your work there will be so much more time to enjoy everything that this university has to offer and revision time will be so much easier (trust me!).
Get ready for an amazing year!
Farhana Nurani (Post-Grad Rep)
My name is Farhana and I will be the Postgraduate Representative for the 2011-2012 academic year connecting you to the Holdsworth committee! I am in in my last year of Post Graduate programme and enjoy meeting different people, having lively dinner parties, and traveling. I have been working hard over the summer to create social and academic events that are going to rock your law socks off!! The events that have been planned are geared to challenge and entertain and hopefully leave you with lasting memories. Joining the Holdsworth club has given me the opportunity to network with prestigious law firms and to broaden my social circle and encouraged me to participate actively within the programme! From Holdsworth career events and drama club to sport and social events there is something that will make a positive impression on you and I would encourage you to participate. Your time here will fly by and Holdsworth gives you the opportunity to make the most of it!!
Sarah Lodge (I.C.S.A Rep)
As your ICSA Rep I am responsible for providing advice and organising careers events for aspiring barristers. I am your link to the Inns of Court and BPTC providers, and will hopefully be lining up some great events this year to help you along on the road to becoming a barrister. These should hopefully include trips to London to visit the Inns of Court, presentations at the university by representatives from the BPTC providers and opportunities to meet alumni. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding advice on matters such as mini pupillage applications, as I am always ready to help! My advice to all of you would be to get involved with as many events as possible. Don’t let your first year pass you by!
This year, I participated in a number of activities to help me to build the skills which chambers will look for in pupillage applications, such as mooting and debating. I also applied for mini pupillages and did some volunteering. I would recommend that you all try to take part in things like this, as it is really going to help you when the time comes to put together your applications!
When not doing Law-related things, I love salsa dancing, contact juggling and drama (including Law Drama, which I would highly recommend.) I also have a passion for fancy dress, and dressed up as a giant phone to be the “Call to the Bar” for my ICSA campaign.
Ha ha ha…No? Just me? Ok.
So, work hard and play hard, and I’ll see you soon!
Corinna Thompson (Mistress of the Moot)
I’m Corinna and I’ll be the Mistress of the Moots for this year. My job is to organise the mooting competitions held within the law school and give general advice on mooting. A moot trial on a legal issue which you argue in front of a judge, as if you are representing a client which you have a week to prepare for. It can be daunting and scary, but everyone who has participated has said they’re really glad they did it and it has helped them loads, not to mention the CV benefits etc. My position is a new committee position for the Holdsworth Club this year, so it’s exciting to see what will happen and what more we can get out of mooting and what mooting can give to the Holdsworth experience. I was one of the events officers on the committee last year, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to be part of it all over again! I’ll also be working with Sarah (ICSA) to improve the opportunities for students aiming to go down the barrister route. My advice like everyone else, is to get involved. Holdsworth is there for every part of your uni experience, so get involved in the sports teams, get stuck into the careers events and go to the socials and you’re guaranteed to get the most out of your uni year. If you have any questions feel free to get in touch and I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!
Jono Wylie (Publicity Officer)
While the rest of you get glared at for it, I get congratulated for being so creative. My job is a good one.
Being the law school’s token artistic student, I like to seek out anything that doesn’t include actually reading cases and throw myself into it. I play guitar, write, lead worship at the Christian Union and sell personalised portraits from photos for birthday presents etc. You might see posters up around the law school advertising J.W. Portraiture. I love to be creative. Hence the law degree. Hmmm, that doesn’t follow… I will be the one making sure everything the Holdsworth Club produces looks good, be it posters, a yearbook, tickets to events; basically anything that comes out of a printer. I’m also going to be at some of your events taking mugshots of the goings on. Since I don’t drink, my mind will be firing on all cylinders as intoxication ensues trying to single out the drunkest among you for the most embarrassing photos. And we have a Facebook page. You have been warned…
In all seriousness, becoming part of the Holdsworth Club is a great choice that I whole heartedly recommend. I’m looking forward to experiencing its inner workings now that I’m on the committee.
I’m very approachable and always welcome a distraction from work, so if you ever have any questions, just come up and have a chat.
Anish Patel (Sports Officer)
Here at the Holdsworth club we have 5 fantastic sports teams. My role is to facilitate the running of those teams so that the mighty Holdsworth Club is well represented and competitive, but what is most important is that you guys are involved and getting the most out of your time at Bham Law School.
I enjoy most things sporty and if Law doesn’t work out I guess I’ll fall back on being an F1 driver or pro Golfer. In my first year here at Bham, I signed up to the Holdsworth Club as soon as possible and became an enthusiastic but somewhat less talented member of the 6 a-side and 11 a-side football teams. The Highlight of the sporting year was definitely the Allen & Overy Manchester Sports Tournament so get involved and you will soon experience the magic. I also play Aussie Rules for the University and recently spent the summer in Australia honing my skills.
Here at Holdsworth Sport we had a very successful 2010/2011 campaign and for the year ahead we are hoping for bigger and better things. I invite you to be a part of it. Please be in touch if you have an queries.