Farnworth Rose has been growing steadily since we opened our doors in 2007, but the last financial year has been one of our most significant yet. We closed April 2026 with double digit growth for another consecutive year, and we are now proud to announce something we have been working towards for some time: the appointment of our first ever Associates.

Four people across the firm have been named as Associates following a formal application process, marking the first time in our history that we have formalised this level of recognition as part of a structured career pathway.

What does an Associate mean at Farnworth Rose?

Associate is a senior role for experienced, high performers. It recognises people who have demonstrated consistent excellence, a proactive approach to their role, and a clear ability to help lead the business forward. At Farnworth Rose, it reflects a genuine progression milestone, awarded through a competitive process and earned on merit.

Janet Lalor, Co-founder and Managing Partner, explains why now is the right moment.

"As we have grown into a multi-site practice and continued to follow our strategic plan, it has become increasingly important that the people who help lead that growth are properly recognised for doing so. We also wanted to make sure that recognition reaches across all kinds of roles and departments, not just fee earners."

The applications impressed the leadership team for reasons they had not fully anticipated.

"We knew they were good but each of the four applications showed us something we had not necessarily expected to see. Every one of them demonstrated a level of thinking about the business, its clients and its future that confirmed to us these are people actively finding new ways to improve what we do. That is exactly what we want an Associate to be."

Farnworth Rose Solicitors new Associates (l-r) Carole Hartley, Vicki Bamber, Dawn Turner, Sophie Holdsworth

Carole Hartley, Business Development Manager

Carole has become one of the most visible faces of Farnworth Rose in the community and her Associate recognition reflects both the scope and the impact of that contribution.

Jon Batchelor, Strategic Director, on why Carole stood out to the panel:

"Carole consistently goes above and beyond in getting us out there and known across the community and with partners. She uses her own initiative to spot opportunities and act on them. She’s built something genuinely valuable for the firm and she does it with real energy and commitment."

In her own application, Carole reflected on what she has built:

"My sustained contribution is reflected in the consistent growth of the firm's client base and the strengthening of its professional network. I believe my experiences have equipped me with the commercial awareness, relationship management skills and strategic perspective required of an Associate."

Janet adds:

"Carole has effectively built her role from scratch and made it her own. She has become the face of Farnworth Rose out in the community, and it is absolutely right that she is now officially recognised for that."

Dawn Turner, Residential Conveyancing Paralegal

Dawn embodies what we mean when we talk about the Farnworth Rose way. She is someone who holds high standards, pushes herself to grow and turns up consistently for her clients and colleagues alike.

Jon Batchelor on Dawn:

"Dawn is exactly what you want in an Associate. Consistent in her approach, consistent in her standards and always developing. That kind of self-driven progress is what this recognition is designed to reward."

Dawn, in her own words:

"I remain committed to my own continuous development and take pride in contributing positively to the team and the wider success of the firm. I aim to deliver a consistently high level of service whilst building strong working relationships with both colleagues and clients."

Janet adds:

"Dawn challenges herself to take on more and delivers every time she does. She is a brilliant example of what we want our people to look like at every level of the firm."

Vicki Bamber, Solicitor and Senior Litigator

Vicki leads our Litigation team and brings a standard of energy, commitment and professionalism that sets the tone for everyone around her.

Jon Batchelor on Vicki:

"Vicki has a magnificent can-do approach to everything she takes on. She has willingly taken on additional responsibilities, leads her team with real quality and fosters a genuine culture of continuous improvement. She is a brilliant role model, not just within Litigation but across the wider team."

Vicki, in her own words:

"I have taken on more responsibility and now lead a team. I combine a collaborative approach with practical problem solving and commercial awareness whilst contributing to the development of the department."

Janet adds:

"The energy and experience Vicki brings is infectious. She leads by example and the effect that has on the people around her is plain to see. We are very glad to recognise that formally."

Sophie Holdsworth, Operations Manager

Sophie's story at Farnworth Rose is, in many ways, the story of Farnworth Rose itself. She joined us as an apprentice 15 years ago and has grown with the firm ever since, progressing through roles and taking on increasing responsibility at every step.

Jon Batchelor on Sophie:

"Sophie's knowledge of this business is second to none. She joined as an apprentice, and to see her initiative, her drive and her ambition to keep growing is genuinely brilliant. She picks things up and runs with them. That is a rare quality."

Sophie, in her own words:

"Over the years I have been trusted with increasing levels of responsibility, progressing from the basics upwards. I have a solid grounding in the fundamentals and relish continued development and progression. I am keen to take the next step, adopting a more strategic mindset. I have a genuine passion and desire for the business to succeed for everyone involved in it."

Janet adds:

"Sophie has been part of this firm's journey from very early on, and she is not finished yet. Her ambition to keep growing and her deep understanding of how we work make her a natural Associate. We could not be more pleased for her."

Huge congratulations to Carole, Dawn, Vicki and Sophie. These appointments reflect not just what each of them has achieved individually, but the kind of firm Farnworth Rose is becoming: one that grows its own people, recognises their contribution and gives them a clear path forward.