Member Article

WBD appointed by Bristol City Council as part of Capital Strategic Partnership to support the city's post COVID-19 recovery

Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has been appointed by Bristol City Council as a key adviser for the delivery of its One City Plan and to support with new infrastructure, housing and regeneration projects across the city.

Launched in January 2019, the One City Plan sets out Bristol’s ambitions for 2050, and how city partners will work together to make Bristol a better place for all to live. WBD was selected as one of the main subcontractors and sole legal advisor in the Council’s new, long-term Capital Strategic Partnership, which aims to accelerate the development of many infrastructure and building schemes across Bristol and create new jobs in the city. WBD will be supporting the work of the appointed consortia led by Arcadis with Arup and Mott MacDonald.

WBD joined the consortia on the back of its strong expertise and track record advising on large and pioneering projects in infrastructure, housing, construction and clean energy, many of them based in the South West and has supported the Council on a number of regeneration projects in the city. The firm will be providing strategic legal advice on planning, environmental, real estate and construction matters as well as supporting the partnership with social value investment in the city.

Recognised in the Top 30 most innovative law firms in Europe by the Financial Times, WBD will also work with the Council to support and boost innovation using the firm’s platforms including project management tool WBD Advance and start-up offering WBD Accelerate for fast growing businesses.

Jonathan Bower, partner and head of responsible business at WBD’s Bristol office, commented: “After 23 years in the city, Bristol has become central to the WBD story and we’re thrilled to have been appointed as part of this Capital Strategic Partnership programme to support people, business and drive social value initiatives across the city. It’s great to see the public and private sector collaborating in this way and we look forward to continuing working with the Council and all its partners to help with the delivery of its ambitious plans, rebuild, and support Bristol’s vision as a dynamic, innovative and nimble city and the place of choice to live, work and do business.”

“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, WBD is committed to playing its part in the economic recovery of Bristol and the South West by using our international and national reach and expertise to benefit the region. This appointment reaffirms our commitment to this city, and signals our intent to play our part in its future.”

Councillor Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Performance said: “Bristol is a growing, attractive city for investment, but we know this comes with challenges. As we navigate the city through the crisis, it is vital we work together and collaboratively to make sure our city’s values are at the heart of the recovery. We look forward to working together in this partnership with WBD to deliver a better Bristol for all residents, businesses and visitors.”

Bristol is WBD’s second largest UK office where more than 230 professionals are based. The firm’s clients in the region include Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, North Somerset Council, OVO Energy, Bristol Airport and international company Spandex, headquartered in Aztec West.

The firm is heavily involved in a comprehensive responsible business programme in Bristol, supporting a number of charities, community projects and initiatives including Farseshare South West, Bristol East Foodbank, Oasis Brightstowe Academy, Bristol Sport Community Foundation, Quartet Community Foundation’s Coronavirus Response Fund, St Peter’s Hospice - for which the firm raised £80,000 in 2017-2019 - and Somerset & Avon Rape & Sexual Abuse Service, the firm’s current chosen office charity.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Womble Bond Dickinson LLP .