Senior regulatory lawyer Stephen Barnfield has joined Forbes Solicitors, as the firm expands its capacity amid growing demand in response to tightening health and safety laws.

Stephen joins Forbes Solicitors as a partner, following almost two decades at Hill Dickinson. He has previously advised public sector organisations, local authorities, high-profile individuals, multinationals and SMEs on a range of complex regulatory matters. This has included corporate manslaughter and professional disciplinary proceedings, as well as critical safety hazards and alleged breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

His experience spans matters and investigations involving regulators and government bodies, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Stephen’s appointment comes at a time when organisations and senior leaders face regulatory reforms, new legislation and heightened HSE campaigns and enforcements. Stephen comments: “New public venue safety measures, updates to building safety oversight and asbestos management, and the HSE’s renewed focus on occupational health are driving increased demand for specialist regulatory support.

“Forbes is investing in meeting this demand, strengthening a team already well-renowned for its in-depth regulatory experience and outstanding results in high-profile cases. The team’s pragmatic, people-first approach to managing health and safety risks sets it apart, and it’s a privilege to become part of this.”

Stephen is listed as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ for health and safety in the Legal 500 and ranked as a Star Associate in the Chambers and Partners Guide.

Kella Bowers, a Partner and Head of Insurance at Forbes Solicitors, concluded: “Stephen has extensive experience of handling sensitive, high-value health and safety matters, where clients have faced aggressive investigations, extreme scrutiny from regulators and intensive pressure from conflicting parties. He has a keen eye for detail, successfully utilising in-depth knowledge of technical and complex regulation to protect the legal, operational and reputational interests of clients.

“We are very pleased to welcome Stephen to the team. He’ll be working closely with our Head of Regulatory, Ridwaan Omar, to continue to support organisations managing increasingly stringent health and safety legislation.”

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