Two senior solicitors from ARAG Law have been appointed to the board of trustees at Bristol Law Centre.
The appointments expand the legal expenses insurer’s existing relationship with the charity, which delivers free legal advice and representation across social welfare matters in the South West of England.
Allison Lewis, head of employment at ARAG, and William Ellerton, head of complex litigation, have joined the board for an initial term of four years.
Lewis has been with ARAG since 2013 and became a partner in 2016. Her earlier experience includes employment law roles at Pollecoff Solicitors and Lyons Davidson. Ellerton joined ARAG as a partner in 2017, having previously worked at DAC Beachcroft, Bevans, and Eversheds, with a focus on financial services disputes and litigation.
Karen Bowers, chief executive of Bristol Law Centre, said the appointments build on the centre’s existing association with ARAG.
“I know that their expertise will be a huge benefit to the team and they have both shown great enthusiasm for the often challenging work that we do,” Bowers said.
David Haynes, CEO of ARAG, said the appointments represent an opportunity to strengthen the company's ongoing collaboration with the centre.
“Bristol Law Centre provides vital support to some of the most disadvantaged people in our community, who are unlikely to have any other recourse. It’s great that Will and Allison have stepped up to fill these roles and further extend the relationship that ARAG has built with the law centre,” Haynes said.
ARAG and Bristol Law Centre have collaborated on various initiatives, including fundraising and operational support, for more than two years.
The appointments come at a time when ARAG continues to demonstrate growth and long-term financial stability. In 2023, ARAG UK posted its 14th consecutive profitable year, with gross written premiums increasing by 8.6% to £66.1 million.
This performance was supported by a significant expansion in its commercial before-the-event (BTE) business, which saw more than a 26% rise in risks insured through its UK managing general agent.
The firm also strengthened its market position through international expansion. Last year, ARAG Group completed the acquisition of DAS UK, further enhancing its footprint in the UK legal expenses insurance market. The acquisition added to ARAG’s operational scale and product offerings across personal and commercial lines.
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