Ex government advisor joins regional law firm

An entomologist who worked as a speech writer for former Conservative Party leader Michael Howard has joined a regional legal practice in an expansion of its employment law team.

A solicitor for the past 16 years, Aidan Loy spent a number of years at the heart of government, working in the Cabinet Office and the Department of Employment for heavyweight politicians including Lord Fowler and Patrick McLoughlin, now Secretary of State for Transport.

He also spent some time based at the British Embassy in Paris after being seconded to the French government.

Born in Felling, Aidan earlier studied zoology at Durham University then tropical entomology at Imperial College London, prior to working in pest control in Zambia and later for Rentokil in the UK.

He explained: “I’d always harboured thoughts of studying law so after the Civil Service I took a sabbatical for
two years then trained with a firm in Sheffield where I set up an employment law department

Aidan went on to establish his own legal practice specialising in employment law based in London and Sheffield before joining BHP Law as an Associate.

“I wanted to come back to the North East and join a firm with strong regional roots, a medium sized firm that retains close contact with clients yet is ambitious and growing,” he added.

Aidan has joined fellow Associate Paul Hargreaves in the firm’s employment department based in Newcastle but operating originally across BHP’s other offices including Durham, Darlington, Stockton, York and Halifax.

BHP Law’s managing partner, John Pratt, said: “Aidan has had a fascinating career including working at the heart of employment policy making and being involved in the communication of policy to the public and businesses during the 1990s.

“Since then he has run his own company as well so his experience of how employment law impacts
on businesses as well as individuals is vast and will be a real asset to the firm.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →