Bristol 2015 Ltd, the company responsible for delivering a programme of events for Bristol's year as European Green Capital in 2015, has appointed Burges Salmon, as its official legal services partner. This is the first official sponsorship to be announced by the Company and follows the news that the government is pledging £7 million to support Bristol's year as the European Green Capital.
Burges Salmon's role includes providing legal advice on the wide range of commercial activities being undertaken by Bristol 2015 including procurement, commercial contracts, IP, real estate and planning, financing and operations.
Alan Barr, senior partner at Burges Salmon, said: 'We jumped at the chance to support Bristol in its year as European Green Capital. Receiving this award is an important accolade for the city and people of Bristol as well as the whole of the UK, being the first UK city to be chosen as a European Green Capital. Now that the government has confirmed its financial commitment for Bristol 2015, there is no excuse for other organisations not to join in through sponsorship.'
'Being part of this initiative means we can give something back to Bristol by helping the city get the most from the award and build on its environmental achievements to date. Bristol is in our DNA and we have close and long-standing connections with the city. Whilst over 80 per cent of our work now comes from outside the region, not only from across the entire UK but also from overseas through our extensive network of foreign law firms, our head office continues to be in Bristol.'
'We are one of the largest employers in central Bristol with over 650 employees and a turnover of almost £80 million, all of which contributes to the local economy.'
The firm shares many of the same values and aspirations as Bristol 2015. These include the following:
- Our focus on developing a reputation for best practice that is shared throughout the UK and around the world, helping to drive inward investment to Bristol.
- Our approach to community involvement and volunteering – last year 46 per cent of Burges Salmon staff took the opportunity to volunteer in the community (about three times the national average). Volunteering will play a central role in the Bristol 2015 programme.
- Holding strong environmental values – the firm has achieved ISO14001 certification, is a founding member of the Legal Sector Alliance and actively encourages staff to adopt environmentally responsible practices such as cycling to work.
Burges Salmon was also one of the first firms to specialise in Environmental Law and this year marks 25 years of providing legal advice to this sector. Today, the firm's low carbon energy related work accounts for approximately 15 per cent of its work overall.
Kris Donaldson, director of Bristol 2015 Ltd said: 'I am excited to welcome Burges Salmon as our first official sponsor for Bristol 2015. Their legal knowledge and expertise will make a real difference to the delivery of next year's programme of activities.'