Faces of Brighton: People, purpose and progress at Mayo Wynne Baxter
26th April 2026
Author EditorPosted on Categories Business
Dean Orgill, chief executive, Mayo Wynne Baxter
It is often the people in a place – more than the place itself – that shape how it evolves and what it becomes.
As Sussex Business Times commemorates its 500th issue, it is an opportunity to reflect on the people who have shaped business life across our region – and on Mayo Wynne Baxter’s long-standing connection to Brighton and the wider Sussex community.
We have been a part of Sussex for more than 150 years. In that time, Brighton has grown into one of the most dynamic and diverse business centres in the South East.
Through that change, one thread has remained constant – people sit at the centre of everything.
Brighton – A place shaped by movement
When I think about the ‘faces of Brighton,’ I think about a city that is always in motion. People building careers, starting businesses, changing direction, returning, beginning again.
There is a sense of possibility here – almost palpable – hard to define, but easy to recognise.
We see this in our own business. Some colleagues have been with us for many years, shaping who we are through experience and relationships.
Alongside them are those who have joined more recently, bringing fresh perspectives and energy. That balance keeps us grounded while we continue evolving.
Growth and what sits beneath it
This past year has seen steady progress for the firm, with revenue increasing by 7% to more than £13.5 million. That figure matters, but what sits behind it matters more – the decisions that shape how we grow, who we hire, and where we invest our energy.
A good example of that is the appointment of our employment partner Nicole Humphreys. She brings significant experience and a practical approach to complex workplace matters, strengthening a team that supports both businesses and individuals through change.
Alongside external appointments, some of the most meaningful moments are ones that happen internally. Our promotions last year reflected a wide range of journeys. Some colleagues returned to the profession after time away, others brought experience from entirely different sectors, and many grew into leadership over time. These moments quietly shape culture.
We also see this reflected in specialist recognition. The accreditation of private client partners Matt Parr, Tracy Rowden, and Rebecca Louis as Lifetime Lawyers stands out.
Their work with older and vulnerable clients requires technical knowledge, along with patience, judgement, and care. It is a reminder of the responsibility that sits within many areas of our profession.
Where community becomes part of the work
Some of the most rewarding work we do now sits outside traditional client relationships.
Through our partnership with the Dare to Dream initiative, colleagues work with students at Hove Park School to help build confidence and broaden their sense of what is possible.
These conversations serve as a reminder of how early perceptions of opportunity are formed – and how important it is that they are not limited.
We are also proud of our support for Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex, having raised more than £10,000 to date. This partnership is driven by colleagues who want to contribute to something tangible in the communities we live in.
A business shaped by responsibility
As a certified B Corporation and part of the Ampa Group, we are part of a wider movement that encourages businesses to think carefully about their impact.
For us, that means being deliberate about how we treat people, how we operate in our communities, and how we plan for the future.
That is also reflected in how we are structured across the region. With offices in Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, East Grinstead, Lewes, Seaford, Storrington, London, and Royal Tunbridge Wells, our footprint is deliberately local. Each office reflects the character of its community.
What has changed and what endures
The legal sector has changed significantly in recent decades. There are those within our community who started their careers in the mid-1980s – arriving in Sussex at a time before the internet. Even the ability for solicitors to advertise felt like a step into new territory – the excitement of a first Yellow Pages advert marked a very different era of communication.
Since then, the pace of change has accelerated. Technology, client expectations, and working patterns have evolved.
The firms that endured are those that have combined the best of their heritage with a willingness to adapt – retaining a strong professional service ethos while embracing new tools, including AI.
Yet for all that transformation, what remains steadfast is the nature of the work itself. At its heart, it is about understanding people and helping them through moments that matter.
Looking ahead
The next chapter of Mayo Wynne Baxter will be shaped by a new generation of ‘faces of Brighton’ – those entering the profession, building their careers, and bringing new thinking into established ways of working. Their energy, combined with experience, will define what comes next.
As Sussex Business Times marks this milestone, it is worth returning to something that has always felt true in our own journey – businesses change but meaning comes from people.
And in a region as varied and alive as Sussex, that will always endure.