Yorkshire Law Society Welcomes Peter Kay As New President

Peter Kay as new president

Peter Kay, Senior Director of Ware & Kay Solicitors Ltd, with offices in York, Wetherby & Malton, took office as the President of the Yorkshire Law Society last night during a reception at York's Merchant Taylors' Hall.  This is the Society's 230th year and Peter is the 6th family member to lead and represent the region's legal profession.

The Yorkshire Law Society is the second oldest local law society in the country and membership is currently open to practicing solicitors, legal executives, paralegals and university law lecturers together with some County Court Judges.  The Society is there not only to promote the interests of its members but also those of the clients of solicitors in the Yorkshire Law Society area.

In his inaugural speech following the Law Society Annual General Meeting, Peter Kay said "It is a great honour to accept such a prestigious role within an organisation that has represented the local legal profession for over 200 years.  My aspiration for the year ahead is to raise the approval rating of solicitors and their firms in the Society's area by emphasising the importance of solicitors in enabling society to function in everyday life.  It is only through good advice and care for the client's interests that people and businesses can achieve their legitimate aspirations, wealth, security and quality of life.  I am very much looking forward to representing local practitioners and raising issues of local concern on their behalf at national level."

Peter is very pleased to confirm that his chosen charity of the year is to be "York against Cancer", a charity that his family has close connections with.  York against Cancer is a small independent local charity and the money raised is spent to help and support cancer patients and their families.

Peter was born in York and educated at Bootham School, York.  He qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and practised in London for 4 years in a specialist commercial shipping practice.  He travelled extensively during this period on business.  He then spent a year travelling before returning to York in 1984.  In 1985 he became a partner in the solicitors firm (now) Ware & Kay Solicitors Ltd.  He now specialises in corporate and commercial work but his experience also includes banking work on the panel of 2 commercial lenders, commercial property leasing, commercial and residential property management; and employment law.   Peter is also trustee of a number of private trusts including on-going trusts actively involved in commercial property, residential property development, arable farming and intensive livestock rearing.

Peter has been involved in the business community for many years and this included: Member of the Private Sector Members Group of the former Yorkshire Tourist Board; Director of York City Centre Partnership Limited; Director of the York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce from 2001 to 2009; President of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce 2006 to 2008; Welcome to Yorkshire Tourism Ambassador; Chair of York Economic Partnership 2008 to 2012; Director of York Business Week C.I.C.