Celebrating IWD25 at BTO – “Teamwork makes the Dreamwork”

BTO is a very inclusive, progressive, forward-thinking firm that supports opportunities for all.

The firm has a long history of female partners making up a large percentage of the partner group and holding senior management roles as well as many others all of whom contribute immense value to our firm and make it the place it is today. As we approach International Women’s Day 2025, we would like to celebrate our female leaders as well as recognising the achievements of the wider team.

In April 2024, Caroline Carr was appointed Chair of BTO, whilst retaining a client facing role as Employment Law Partner, marking the start of a positive new era for the firm. She works alongside Lesley Gordon (Head of Family Law), Grant Hunter (Managing Partner) and David Walker (Chief Operating Officer) on our new Management Board.

Caroline joined BTO as a trainee solicitor and has held many senior roles over the years. She is a true inspiration, working hard and showing others that if you believe you can achieve. She is a very kind, brave and supportive member of the team. A natural leader who is always happy to cheer for others and create opportunities for all. Caroline is responsible for creating a positive culture at BTO where every member of the firm, across all levels, feels valued and appreciated.

She encourages everyone to fulfil their potential and promotes BTO as both a great place to work and great to work with.

Caroline and Lesley both retain demanding client facing roles, managing very successful teams, in addition to their leadership responsibilities.

Lesley is one of the leading solicitors in her sector. Together with the support of her family law team, we are proud to be an official corporate partner of Fertility Network UK, providing bespoke legal advice and guidance to modern families including the LGBTQ+ community navigating their way to parenthood.

Lesley said:

“I am particularly looking forward to celebrating International Women’s day on Saturday at a fund raising event hosted by Tanya Suki in support of local charity The House of Hope. The founder of House of Hope, Lisa Fleming, is an inspiration, having created this first bespoke breast cancer support and wellbeing centre in Scotland following her own diagnosis with incurable cancer in 2017.”

BTO are committed to creating equality for all

We invited Caroline to share a few words about her experience at BTO so far.

Caroline said:

“It gives me great pleasure to be the Chair of BTO. I enjoy being an ambassador for the firm and ensuring we all uphold our values – positive; supportive; brave and insightful – in all that we do for our people and our clients and contacts. I particularly enjoy nurturing our talent and inspiring colleagues to reach their full potential. My journey of trainee solicitor to Head of the Employment Law team, to Chair of BTO is a remarkable one – others believed in me and inspired me to become leader of the firm and I enjoy inspiring and encouraging others in BTO.”

Continuing with the theme of inspirational female leaders and inclusion / equality for all, we invited partner Vikki Watt who trained at BTO and now heads our Regulatory & Criminal Defence team for her views.

Vikki Watt commented:

“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the women who have shaped the Profession with their innovation and determination. I have always been proud to work in a firm where attitude and aptitude are the most valuable currencies for individual success and I am pleased to see that the Profession as a whole is continuing to make strides to fully reflect that ethos.”

Laura Salmond, who heads our Employment Law team and is head of our Charity Committee, was also asked to share a few words about her experience at BTO.

Laura said:

“I am proud to be in a leadership role at BTO, where I have the privilege of driving change and making an impact. I am equally grateful for the opportunity to lead our charity and social events Committee, where we continue to uplift our community and champion causes close to our hearts.

Finally, Marianne McAvenna, our firm’s Business Development & Marketing Director, added:

“I joined BTO as the firm’s first Marketing Assistant and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to advance in my career and actively contribute to the expansion and evolution of the firm. I have witnessed positive changes in BTO over the years and enjoyed watching other female colleagues be supported as they have progressed in their specialist areas, from finance, to administration, to trainees who have risen through the ranks to partner. International Women’s Day is a great occasion to celebrate all women and their achievements.”

At BTO, our people are our greatest asset. Nothing would be possible without the ongoing encouragement and support from the wider team. So, on this IWD25, BTO want to thank everyone in our firm for working so well together and encourage all our valued colleagues to continue collaborating, communicating, and motivating each other. Together we can achieve more. Teamwork makes the dream work.

Happy International Women’s Day!