Legal star scoops top prize at Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards 2025
A rising legal star who sought justice for victims of rogue surgeon Ian Paterson has been crowned Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2025.
Becca Horley (pictured), medical negligence associate at Fletchers Solicitors, clinched the coveted title at the sold-out awards ceremony, held at the ICC Birmingham in front of over 500 guests.
Becca, who also triumphed in the Legal category, advocates for individuals and their families who have suffered life-changing injuries through no fault of their own.
Her work involves providing bespoke legal advice on complex serious injury matters including brain injury, birth injury, ophthalmic injury, orthopaedic injury, psychiatric injury and fatal cases.
Becca represents victims of Ian Paterson, the rogue breast surgeon who was jailed for 20 years for 17 counts of wounding with intent after subjecting more than 1,000 patients to unnecessary and damaging operations.
Becca sought justice, accountability, an apology and compensation on behalf of her clients.
She also represents a group of former patients of Mian Munawar Shah, who were recalled by Walsall Manor Hospital following concerns regarding Mr Shah’s treatment, some of whom have sustained permanent and life changing disabilities.
She has also acted on behalf of various clients who have suffered permanent blindness and severe visual impairments due to delays at West Midlands based ophthalmology services.
Becca empowers young professionals to prioritise wellness, so they bring the best version of themselves to work.
Passionate about the impact of colourful fashion on confidence, she authored ‘Dress to Progress’ for Shoosmiths, encouraging self-expression and making a good first impression.
Her article sparked discussions on authenticity and inclusivity and was featured on industry website Legal Cheek.
Becca has also been awarded the title of Solicitor of the Year 2025 at the Birmingham Law Society Awards and recognised as a ‘key lawyer’ for clinical negligence in the West Midlands in the Legal 500.
Sophie Poduval-Morrell, manager of Future Faces, said: “Congratulations to our overall winner, Becca Horley who we know will wear the Greater BYPY 2025 crown with pride over the next 12 months. Huge congratulations to all of our category winners and to each and every one one of our finalists. To apply, be short listed and interviewed for these awards is bold, brave and courageous.
“This year, the alumni showed up in force to support and champion the future leaders of our region, and I could not be prouder to be a Brummie.”
The awards ceremony was compered by BBC Midlands Today, BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio WM and Sky Sports News reporter Amber Sandhu, with Arden University as headline sponsor.
Pictured (L-R): Zoya Alam, George-Catalin Mande, Elise White, Ben Robertson, Alastair Cowen, Rebecca Horley, Jay Dhaliwal, Daniella Campbell, Morgan Paine, ZeZe Sohawon, Laura MacLellan, Mehmood Rajoka
The full list of winners is as follows:
Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year- Rebecca Horley, Fletchers. Sponsored by Forvis Mazars
GBYPY - Built Environment and Engineering- Morgan Paine, mode transport planning. Sponsored by Lodders Solicitors LLP
GBYPY - Charity and Social Impact- ZeZe Sohawon, Emotion Dysregulation in Autism. Sponsored by Arden University
GBYPY - Creative Industries and Culture- Tallulah Travis, Gymshark. Sponsored by FleetMilne
GBYPY - Digital, Tech & Innovation- Alastair Cowen, KPMG. Sponsored by Birmingham City University
GBYPY - Events and Hospitality- Elise White, Aston University. Sponsored by Amtico
GBYPY- Finance- Jay Dhaliwal, Chase de Vere. Sponsored by Canaccord Wealth
GBYPY - Legal- Rebecca Horley, Fletchers. Sponsored by Ward Hadaway
GBYPY - Marketing, Sales, and Communications- Ben Robertson, Paragon Banking Group. Sponsored by The Student Energy Group
GBYPY - People and Wellbeing- Rachel Brindley, Gymshark. Sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors
GBYPY - Start-ups and Entrepreneurship- Mehmood Rajoka, Verity Partners. Sponsored by University College Birmingham
GBYPY - Sustainability and ESG- George-Catalin Mande, KPMG. Sponsored by WM International Ltd
GBYPY - Training and Education- Laura MacLellan, Hello Sidekick Ltd. Sponsored by GuruYou
Greater Birmingham Apprentice of the Year- Zoya Alam, Squire Patton Boggs. Sponsored by Birmingham Metropolitan College
Future Faces President’s Award- Nicola Fleet-Milne, FleetMilne
Future Faces Ambassador Award- Daniella Campbell, Forvis Mazars. Sponsored by Common Purpos
View all of the awards photos HERE.
Photo credit: Shaun Fellows, Shine Pix Photography
