Creating a great place to work

Combining North East heritage with a modern edge, Hay & Kilner is a fast-growing and multi award-winning law firm putting its people, clients and values at the core of everything it does.

The full service legal firm started life as a post- war practice founded by Rowland Hay and Wilf Kilner in 1946.

Fast forward almost 80 years and Hay & Kilner, based at The Lumen, part of Newcastle’s flagship future city development, continues to go from strength to strength, with a growing team of more than 130 offering a range of commercial and private client services.

Experts in respective fields, its team prides itself on a personable approach, creating a great place to work and always going the extra mile for clients.
Hay & Kilner aims high as a firm, which is reflected in the culture and attitude of its team.

The firm has created an environment where everyone, no matter who they are or what they do, feels supported in their roles and can be the best versions of themselves.

Caring leaders have fostered an environment where everyone has a purpose, can contribute new ideas and has access to resources they need to thrive within the organisation.

Jonathan Waters, managing partner, says: “We are incredibly proud of our longstanding legacy as one of the region’s most reputable law firms.

“Our focus on our people and client service is something that resonates across our entire business, alongside our core values of being engaging, relatable, dynamic, passionate and supportive.

“We are also proud of our impressive retention rates, which means we are doing something right.

“I can personally vouch for that, having been with the firm for more than 26 years.

“I started my career as a trainee solicitor and progressed through the business, and I genuinely wouldn’t have wanted to have been anywhere else.

“It’s wonderful so many of our colleagues say the same too.”

Investment in talent and creating a ‘family feel’

Flexible working, an open and honest culture and strong team spirit are the most valuable offerings provided by the firm, according to team feedback, as well as its competitive remuneration packages.

The firm also prides itself on a down to earth and supportive approach to clients and colleagues, a commitment to promoting equality and diversity, and policies that fully support working parents and carers.

Jonathan adds: “Our people truly are our biggest strength and most valuable asset, and we are fully invested in providing an open, inclusive and engaging working environment.

“One of the best things about Hay & Kilner, and what personally attracted me to the firm all those years ago, was its family feel.

“I’m proud it still feels the same today, and new recruits often comment on it.”

Loyalty and longevity key to success

The firm is also proud that many of its team who started their careers with Hay & Kilner have continued with the business.

Retention remains high, with its longest serving colleague having been with the firm for more than 48 years, and two colleagues having celebrated their 25th and 20th anniversaries this year.

Giving back to the local community and creating a sustainable working environment

Doing good business isn’t just about financial success.

Hay & Kilner is proud of its North East roots and commitment to giving back to the local community.

From support for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, the firm’s charity of the year, to mentoring schemes, sponsorships and time off for volunteering, giving back is something the whole team enjoys.

Sustainability is firmly on the agenda too.

In addition to its offices being built to BREEAM Excellence standards, the team is going even further, partnering with environmental charity Urban Green Newcastle to plant 750 trees in parks around Newcastle to improve green spaces as part of the city’s net-zero aspirations.

And 2025 promises to be another exciting year for the firm, as it continues its commitment to growth, supporting its people and clients in the way it knows best.

Central to this will be its ongoing commitment to being a place where people enjoy working, one that embraces new processes and technology to support client services, and invests in the right talent to maintain its longstanding legacy as one of the region’s most reputable law firms.

Hay & Kilner
For more information about Hay & Kilner and the services it provides, call 0191 232 8345 or visit:

www.hay-kilner.co.uk
Hay & Kilner
@hay_kilner