Business Hour
Ian Liddle of Farleys Solicitors chats to Gail Bailey about his inspirational career journey and the importance of charitable fundraising
Born in Sunderland and one of five children, Ian Liddle admits he didn’t have an easy start in life: “My dad was in the Merchant Navy and rarely home, so my mum brought us up on her own. We lived on a council estate where money was tight,” Ian says.
Losing his mother suddenly when he was just 13, was a difficult time and whilst initially Ian’s elder three sisters cared for him and his younger brother, this wasn’t sustainable, and the boys went away to school: “My dad managed to get myself and my brother a place at Ackworth School and this really was a turning point,” Ian explains.
“Life had been far from easy, and I had very few aspirations about my future, but suddenly I was sitting next to peers who were aiming high! With my friends wanting to be pilots or go into medicine, I suddenly had the realisation that as I was doing as well academically as they were, why couldn’t I aspire to achieve more? I thought my path was already laid out in front of me, but I started to see a different life ahead and I worked hard to get there.”
Ian had decided he’d like to go into the legal profession but on leaving school he sadly didn’t have anywhere to live, so opted for a career that would ensure he had a home: “I thought my only choices were the armed forces or the police,” he says. After successfully being offered a role in the police, the parents of a friend who knew he didn’t really want to be a police officer, offered him their spare room whilst he explored other options – and this is what brought him to Blackburn: “I had an interview with Farleys to work as an office junior – and I have been here ever since!”
Ian’s interview wasn’t as you would expect and consisted of being asked if he was any good at football and was invited to play in a game that evening. He obviously impressed them with his skills on the pitch as he was offered the position and was then supported through university, before returning as a trainee solicitor eager to develop the commercial arm of the business.
“Farleys didn’t have a commercial department when I started, and this was the area of law that interested me most. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity and I gradually built our client base, along with our reputation, and it’s now the largest department in the practice – not all down to me of course but I’d like to think I started it!”
Now a Managing Partner in the business, Ian has always felt a responsibility to give back and charity work has been a big part of his professional life: “I appreciate that life could have been very different for me, and I want other children to have the same opportunities they may not otherwise have. I grew up in an area where people didn’t have much, and I have seen the impact that deprivation and neglect can have on the life chances of children. Helping those from low income and deprived backgrounds is really important to me and drives me to want to keep raising funds to make a difference.
“Ability can be there but not having stability, support or a good role model can be life limiting,” Ian says.
“My mindset changed during my time at Ackworth School. I had my own lucky break and I want to help other children realise their own potential.”
Ian’s own fundraising began with a bike ride from Paris to Blackburn to raise money for Cash4Kids where he then became a trustee for eight years and who he still holds regular events to raise money for. An annual St Patrick’s Day celebration, established 18 years ago, is a corporate fundraising event hosted by Farleys that has supported Cash4Kids helping young people and their families.
Blackburn Youth Zone is another charity that has benefited from Ian and Farleys fundraising: “Myself and Paul Westhead (who was President of Blackburn Rugby Club at the time) were invited to a beer festival to raise money for Bolton Lads and Girls Club and on the way home we decided we could do something similar right here in Blackburn.”
Held at the rugby club in 2014 and sponsored by Farleys, the beer festival still continues and has been instrumental in raising significant sums for Blackburn Youth Zone.
Farleys now has its own Charitable Foundation, established six years ago that makes regular contributions to local children’s charities: “Farleys has recently become part of The Lawfront Group Ltd, which will help to accelerate our own growth plans and strengthen the offer we can give to our clients. We employ over 160 people over seven offices, and with our success we can continue our commitment to being immersed in the community and wanting to give back by growing our charitable presence.
“It is hugely important to me personally that we continue to grow our charity work as we continue to grow as a business,” Ian adds. “No child should be limited due to a difficult start in life – I’m testament to that – and it’s my driver to ensure other children get the chance to raise their own aspirations and make the right choices too.”
