Rising legal star who fought for victims of rogue breast surgeon wins top prize at Young Professional of the Year Awards

Becca Horley, medical negligence associate at Fletchers Solicitors, clinched the coveted title at the sold-out awards ceremony at the ICC Birmingham in front of more than 500 guests from businesses across the Birmingham area.

Becca, who also triumphed in the legal category, advocates for individuals and their families who have suffered life-changing injuries through no fault of their own.

Her work involves providing bespoke legal advice on complex serious injury matters including brain injury, birth injury, ophthalmic injury, orthopaedic injury, psychiatric injury and fatal cases.

Becca has worked to seek justice, accountability, an apology and compensation for victims of Ian Paterson, the rogue breast surgeon who was jailed for 20 years for 17 counts of wounding with intent after subjecting more than 1,000 patients to unnecessary and damaging operations.

Becca also represents a group of former patients of Mian Munawar Shah, who were recalled by Walsall Manor Hospital after concerns regarding Mr Shah’s treatment, some of whom have suffered permanent and life-changing disabilities.

Becca has also acted on behalf of various clients who have suffered permanent blindness and severe visual impairments due to delays at West Midlands-based ophthalmology services.

Sophie Poduval-Morrell, manager of Future Faces at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Congratulations to our overall winner, Becca Horley who we know will wear the Greater BYPY [Birmingham Young Professional of the Year] 2025 crown with pride over the next 12 months. Huge congratulations to all of our category winners and to each and every one one of our finalists. To apply, be shortlisted and interviewed for these awards is bold, brave and courageous.

“This year, the alumni showed up in force to support and champion the future leaders of our region, and I could not be prouder to be a Brummie.”

The awards ceremony was compered by BBC Midlands Today, BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio WM and Sky Sports News reporter Amber Sandhu, with Arden University as headline sponsor.

In addition to her medical negligence work, Becca is also passionate about empowering young professionals to prioritise wellness so they bring the best version of themselves to work.

An article she authored on the impact of colourful fashion on confidence, encouraging self-expression and making a good first impression titled 'Dress to Progress’ - which she wrote for Shoosmiths - sparked discussions on authenticity and inclusivity and was featured on industry website Legal Cheek.

Becca was also earlier this year awarded the title of Solicitor of the Year 2025 at the Birmingham Law Society Awards and recognised as a ‘key lawyer’ for clinical negligence in the West Midlands in the Legal 500.

Full list of award winners at the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards 2025:

• Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year - Rebecca Horley, Fletchers. Sponsored by Forvis Mazars

• GBYPY - Built Environment and Engineering - Morgan Paine, mode transport planning. Sponsored by Lodders Solicitors LLP

• GBYPY - Charity and Social Impact - ZeZe Sohawon, Emotion Dysregulation in Autism. Sponsored by Arden University

• GBYPY - Creative Industries and Culture - Tallulah Travis, Gymshark. Sponsored by FleetMilne

• GBYPY - Digital, Tech & Innovation - Alastair Cowen, KPMG. Sponsored by Birmingham City University

• GBYPY - Events and Hospitality - Elise White, Aston University. Sponsored by Amtico

• GBYPY- Finance - Jay Dhaliwal, Chase de Vere. Sponsored by Canaccord Wealth

• GBYPY - Legal - Rebecca Horley, Fletchers. Sponsored by Ward Hadaway

• GBYPY - Marketing, Sales, and Communications - Ben Robertson, Paragon Banking Group. Sponsored by The Student Energy Group

• GBYPY - People and Wellbeing - Rachel Brindley, Gymshark. Sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors

• GBYPY - Start-ups and Entrepreneurship - Mehmood Rajoka, Verity Partners. Sponsored by University College Birmingham

• GBYPY - Sustainability and ESG - George-Catalin Mande, KPMG. Sponsored by WM International Ltd

• GBYPY - Training and Education - Laura MacLellan, Hello Sidekick Ltd. Sponsored by GuruYou

• Greater Birmingham Apprentice of the Year - Zoya Alam, Squire Patton Boggs. Sponsored by Birmingham Metropolitan College

• Future Faces President’s Award - Nicola Fleet-Milne, FleetMilne

• Future Faces Ambassador Award - Daniella Campbell, Forvis Mazars. Sponsored by Common Purpose