Franklins Solicitors named finalist in two categories at NBEA Awards 2026

Franklins Solicitors has been named as a finalist in two categories at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2026, recognising both the firm’s professional services and its contribution to the local community.

The Milton Keynes and Northampton-based law firm has been shortlisted for Professional Services, as well as Community Project or Person of the Year for the Franklins £50 Challenge.

The double recognition reflects two important areas of focus for Franklins – providing an excellent service and building long-term relationships with its clients, while making a positive contribution to the communities in which its teams live and work.

Established in 1982, Franklins provides legal services to individuals, families and businesses across Milton Keynes, Northampton and the surrounding areas. Our ‘Law for Life’ approach is centred around supporting clients through the different stages of their personal and professional lives.

Alongside our legal services, we have a longstanding commitment to supporting local charities and community organisations.

The Franklins £50 Challenge is one of our flagship community initiatives. The annual three-month fundraising campaign gives participating teams £50 in seed funding and challenges them to turn it into as much money as possible for local charities.

The 2026 Challenge saw 56 teams supporting 12 charities, collectively raising over £50,000. Following the completion of its eighth year, the initiative has now raised nearly £250,000 for charities since it began.

Simon Long, Managing Partner at Franklins Solicitors, said:

“To be shortlisted in two categories at this year’s NBEA Awards is something we are incredibly proud of.

The Professional Services nomination is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our teams across Franklins and the service they provide to our clients every day.

Equally, being recognised for the Franklins £50 Challenge means a great deal to us. Its success is only possible because of the businesses, organisations, charities and individuals who get behind it each year and make it such a fantastic community effort.

“We’re delighted to see both areas of our work recognised and would like to wish all of this year’s finalists the very best of luck.”

The winners will be announced at the NBEA Awards and Gala Dinner on Friday 27th November 2026.

Franklins wishes all of the other finalists good luck. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of businesses and organisations from across the region at the awards.

Franklins Solicitors LLP has launched My Franklins, a new client app designed to make it easier and more convenient for clients to stay connected with their legal matters.

My Franklins brings the firm’s existing client portal directly to clients’ phones and devices, giving them secure access to information about their legal matters whenever and wherever it suits them.

The launch is part of Franklins’ continued focus on improving the client experience and using technology to make accessing legal services simpler and more convenient.

With a new clean, fresh and modern design, My Franklins gives clients one secure place to access key information relating to their matter. Depending on the type of legal service they are using, clients can track progress and milestones, access documents, see outstanding tasks, complete digital forms, verify their identity and make secure online payments.

Having the portal available as an app also makes it quicker and easier for clients to check their matter when it suits them, whether they are at home, at work or on the move.

The app supports Franklins’ Law for Life approach, which is centred around providing legal support that fits around clients and the different stages of their lives. By bringing current and future matters together in one place, My Franklins gives clients a simple way to access their information and keep up to date at a time and place that works for them.

Simon Bannister, Head of IT at Franklins Solicitors, who has spearheaded the project, said:

“We wanted to build on what our client portal already offered and make the experience even easier and more convenient for our clients.

People are used to being able to access important information from their phones at a time and place that suits them, and we wanted our clients to have that same flexibility when dealing with their legal matters.

We focused on how technology can improve the client experience and make working with Franklins as clear and convenient as possible. A lot of work has gone into making My Franklins intuitive and straightforward to use, giving clients greater visibility of their matter, the actions they need to take and what happens next, helping them stay informed through the process.”

My Franklins will initially be used across a wide range of Franklins’ legal services, including property, family law and Wills and estate planning,

The launch forms part of Franklins’ wider investment in technology and innovation, with a focus on using digital solutions to complement the personal service and legal expertise provided by its teams.

Clients using My Franklins will continue to have the support of their Franklins legal team throughout their matter, with the app providing an additional and convenient way to access information and complete key steps.

My Franklins is available to download now.

Franklins launches Employment Contract Health Check to help businesses prepare for employment law changes.

Franklins Solicitors has launched a new Employment Contract Health Check to help businesses ensure their employment contracts meet current legal requirements and identify any areas that may need attention.

The new service comes as employers prepare for a significant period of change following the Employment Rights Act 2025, with measures being introduced in stages throughout 2026 and 2027.

For £99 plus VAT, businesses can have one standard-form employment contract reviewed by Franklins’ Employment Team. They will receive a written summary highlighting any gaps identified, together with practical recommendations for areas that should be addressed.

The Health Check will be carried out by Trainee Solicitor Rebecca Hutson as part of the Employment Team, headed by Associate Partner and employment lawyer Sara Marshall.

Rebecca said:

“Employment law is going through a considerable period of change and understandably much of the attention is on the new rights and responsibilities being introduced.  However, it is also a good opportunity for employers to go back to basics and make sure the contracts they are already using are up to date and contain what they should.

The aim of the Health Check is to give businesses a straightforward way of doing that. We will review their standard contract, identify any gaps and give them clear, practical recommendations about anything they may need to address.”

One forthcoming change is a new requirement for employers to provide workers with a written statement informing them of their right to join a trade union. The duty is due to take effect from 30th October 2026, with the statement to be provided alongside the written statement of employment particulars and at other prescribed times.

Sara Marshall, Head of Employment at Franklins Solicitors, said:

“There is a lot for employers to keep on top of at the moment, but preparing for employment law reform doesn’t necessarily mean waiting for each individual change to arrive.

Reviewing existing contracts, policies and HR practices now can help businesses understand where they currently stand and what they may need to update as the new requirements come into force.

The Health Check is designed to provide an accessible starting point, particularly for businesses that may not have reviewed their standard employment contracts for some time.”

The £99 plus VAT Health Check covers one standard-form employment contract. Businesses using different contracts for different roles, or requiring a more bespoke review, can request a separate quote.

The Employment Team at Franklins Solicitors advises employers on a range of workplace matters including employment contracts and policies, day-to-day HR issues, settlement agreements and Employment Tribunal claims.

Businesses interested in booking an Employment Contract Health Check or finding out more can contact Franklins Solicitors on 01908 660966 or email employmentmk@franklins-sols.co.uk 

Please note: The Health Check is a general compliance review. It does not constitute advice on any specific dispute or claim unless we are separately instructed to do so.

Franklins Solicitors is sponsoring a free cyber security and business resilience event bringing together experts from across the technology, cyber security, insurance and legal sectors.

From Risk to Resilience, hosted by Digital Origin, will take place on 21st October 2026 at Northampton Saints Stadium, Franklin’s Gardens, and is aimed at business owners, directors, IT leaders and those responsible for risk management and business continuity.

The event will look beyond the technical aspects of cyber security to explore how businesses can prepare for an attack, respond when something goes wrong and build greater resilience across their organisation.

Franklins’ Managing Partner, Simon Long, will join the expert panel for “Surviving a Cyber Attack: Response, Recovery & Business Continuity”, bringing a legal, commercial and business leadership perspective to the discussion.

Simon is an experienced Corporate and Commercial Solicitor with more than 30 years’ experience advising businesses, from owner-managed companies through to large corporate organisations. Alongside leading Franklins, he is the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP), with responsibility for legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, staff training and reporting obligations to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

This combination gives Simon first-hand experience of the wider considerations business leaders face when managing risk and responding to unexpected events.

Simon said:

“Cyber security might traditionally have been seen as something for the IT team to deal with, but the impact of an attack can reach every part of a business.

“For business leaders, it raises much wider questions around risk, compliance, communication, business continuity and the responsibilities you have to your clients, employees and other stakeholders.

“I’m looking forward to joining the panel and exploring some of those issues from a legal and business perspective, as well as hearing from specialists who deal with cyber security and incident response every day.”

The event will feature a range of practical sessions designed to help businesses understand both the risks they face and the steps they can take to prepare.

One of the headline sessions will come from cyber security expert Ben Owen, star of the international TV series Hunted, who will deliver a live ethical hacking demonstration showing how criminals can use methods including phishing, password attacks, social engineering and publicly available information to target organisations.

Other sessions will explore AI-driven threats and ransomware, practical cyber resilience for SMEs and the role of cyber insurance before, during and after an incident. Speakers will include experts from N-able, Fortis Cyber and Lockton.

Attendees will also hear a real-world case study from Paul Abbott, former co-owner of Knights of Old, who will share his experience following the cyber attack that contributed to the company’s collapse. The event will conclude with a panel discussion and audience Q&A.

Event details:

From Risk to Resilience: A Cyber Security Event
Date: Wednesday 21st October 2026
Time: 11:30am – 4:45pm
Venue: Northampton Saints Stadium, Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, NN5 5BG
Cost: Free

Click here to register your space.

From Risk to Resilience: A Cyber Security Event | Digital Origin

The challenge also delivered a significant impact for local charities. The Lewis Foundation had the highest number of fundraising teams supporting its cause and those teams collectively raised almost £20,000 to help fund the charity’s work supporting adult cancer patients undergoing treatment in hospital.

Commenting on the challenge, Emily Griffiths from The Lewis Foundation said:

“The Challenge offers a unique way to raise funds and get the community involved rather than traditional fundraising. It costs £3.60 to provide a gift pack so with the amount raised, there’s going to be lots of people we can support through a really dark time.”

A Challenge That Brings Everyone Together

Andrea Smith, Equity Partner at Franklins Solicitors, said:

“Every year we are amazed by the enthusiasm, creativity and commitment shown by our teams. The £50 Challenge starts with a simple idea – taking £50 and turning it into something bigger, but what participants achieve goes far beyond fundraising alone.

The challenge brings people together, develops entrepreneurial skills and, most importantly, creates a lasting impact for local charities and the communities they support. We are incredibly proud of every team that took part and grateful to all of our charity partners, sponsors, supporters and volunteers who helped make this year’s challenge such a success.”

The £50 Challenge was launched by Franklins Solicitors in 2018 and continues to encourage businesses and community groups to develop entrepreneurial skills while making a meaningful difference to local causes.

Food pallets packed with essential items have been delivered to charities across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire this Easter, providing vital support to food banks facing increasing demand.

The deliveries, funded through the MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach campaigns, saw seven food pallets distributed to locations, across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire, including:

• Baby Basics MK
• Baby Basics Northampton
• Milton Keynes Foodbank
• Shenley Community Centre
• Hope Northampton
• McCarthy Dixon Foundation
• Restore Northampton

The initiative ensures that frontline charities have the resources they need to support individuals and families in need.

Established in partnership between Franklins Solicitors and His Church Charity, MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach raise funds to secure pallets of food and essential goods for redistribution to food banks and community groups across the region.

Richard Humphrey from His Church Charity said:

“We are grateful for all the retail and manufacturing partners who trust His Church to redistribute their surplus products to help vulnerable people through charities, like the amazing organisations we have supported through these campaigns this Easter. This campaign shows what’s possible when businesses and charities collaborate to make a difference in their communities.”

Andrea Smith of Franklins Solicitors added:

“We are proud to provide ongoing support to the MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach campaigns and to bring some cheer to our local communities this Easter. By donating through these campaigns, businesses can be confident their money goes further, reaching those who need it most through the incredible work of His Church Charity.”

The pallets have been gratefully received… comments have included the following:

Louisa Hobbs from MK Food Bank said:

“The wide variety of food items in the donation – from essential store cupboard staples to cooking ingredients and treats – helps us offer choice, comfort and dignity to the people we support. These donations keep our shelves stocked, enable families and individuals to plan meals they will enjoy and help people feel cared for during difficult times.”

Sabrina Oakey said on behalf of the McCarthy-Dixon Foundation:

“Being able to sit together and share a warm meal helps create a welcoming, family-like environment where everyone feels included and valued.”

With demand for food banks and community support continuing to rise, Franklins Solicitors and His Church Charity are calling on more local businesses to get involved. By making one-off or ongoing donations, organisations can help fund future deliveries and ensure continued support for those who need it most.

To find out more or to set up a donation, visit:

MK Food Reach: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MK-Food-Reach

Northants Food Reach: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/NH-Foodreach

Statement regarding Hunter’s Solicitors LLP

We are aware of the recent intervention by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) into Hunter’s Solicitors LLP and a number of trading names associated with that firm.

Clarification Regarding Franklins Solicitors LLP

Franklins Solicitors LLP (Milton Keynes and Northampton) is completely separate and independent from Hunter’s Solicitors LLP and its trading names.

Our firm has no connection or affiliation with Hunter’s Solicitors LLP or the firm that traded as Franklins Solicitors in Abingdon.

Our Continued Operations

Franklins Solicitors LLP remains fully authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 570602) and continues to operate as normal from our offices in Milton Keynes and Northampton.

If any clients or referrers have questions, please contact our team who will be happy to assist.

Franklins Solicitors is proud to announce the success of our Pallets of Hope campaign, which has helped bring vital support and festive cheer to families facing hardship across Milton Keynes, Northampton and the surrounding areas this Christmas.

Through the generosity of employees, supporters and local businesses, the campaign has funded 20 pallets of food, clothing, gifts and essential household items, with a combined retail value of approximately £40,000.

Supporting Local Communities Through Partnership

Working in partnership with His Church Charity, the pallets were distributed to food banks, schools and community centres supporting those most in need.

Beneficiary organisations included:

• Baby Basics
• Foodkind Northampton
• MK Foodbank
• Restore Northampton
• Shenley Community Centre
• The Northampton Hope Centre
• The Shelter MK
• The McCarthy Dixon Foundation
• Water Eaton Foodbank
• Woodford Halse School Foodbank
• YMCA

Community Fundraising Efforts

Fundraising activities included a Christmas Quiz hosted at Franklins’ Ashton House offices, the Milton Keynes tuck shop initiative, and ongoing donations through MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach.

Special thanks are also extended to Lynn from A Fitter Life, who went above and beyond in raising additional funds to support the campaign, further strengthening the community’s ability to give.

Words from Franklins Solicitors

Andrea Smith of Franklins Solicitors, who spearheaded the campaign, said:

“While Christmas is a time when need is more visible, the reality is that many families in our communities struggle all year round. That’s why we are proud not only to lead the Pallets of Hope campaign, but also to provide ongoing support to MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach.

By donating through these organisations, businesses can be confident their money goes further, reaching those who need it most through the incredible work of His Church Charity.”

Partner Perspective

Richard Humphrey from His Church Charity highlighted the impact of the partnership approach:

“We are grateful for all the retail and manufacturing partners who trust His Church to redistribute their surplus products to help vulnerable people through first class front-line charities, like the 11 amazing organisations we have supported through Pallets of Hope. This campaign powerfully demonstrates what’s possible when businesses and charities collaborate to make a difference in their communities.”

Voices from Supported Charities

Local charities receiving support also praised the initiative.

A spokesperson from The Northampton Hope Centre said:

“The Pallets of Hope campaign has made a real difference to the people we support. Access to food, clothing and household essentials at this time of year helps relieve immediate pressure and allows us to focus on longer-term support.”

Meanwhile, Hannah Forbes from Baby Basics Milton Keynes added:

“The donated items will directly support families with young children who are already under significant financial strain. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved for their generosity and compassion.”

Hollie-Jasmine, Fundraising and Partnerships Officer at YMCA Milton Keynes commented:

“We were amazed to get a massive pallet of food from Franklins Solicitors through their Fitter Life Pallets of Hope Campaign yesterday. This food will stock our young people’s kitchens this Christmas. Thank you so much for your generous donation.”

Continuing Community Support

Franklins Solicitors would like to thank everyone who donated, fundraised or took part in the campaign, helping to make Christmas brighter for hundreds of local families and supporting sustainable, community-led solutions to hardship.

To find out more about MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach and set up a donation, visit:

MK Food Reach: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MK-Food-Reach

Northants Food Reach: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/NH-Foodreach

Franklins Solicitors LLP is excited to announce the 12 charities that will be supported in the Franklins £50 Challenge 2026, taking place from 23rd February to 29th May 2026.

Charities Selected for the £50 Challenge 2026

The selected charities include returning favourites: The Northampton Hope Centre, Cynthia Spencer Hospice, The Lewis Foundation, The Air Ambulance Service, Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation and Rainbows Hospice.

New charity partners joining the challenge for 2026 are: Action 4 Youth, FoodCycle, Spinal Injuries Association, MK Snap, Milton Keynes Community Foundation and Medical Detection Dogs.

How the Franklins £50 Challenge Works

The annual challenge sees local businesses and organisations form teams. Each team selects one of the participating charities they wish to support. Franklins provides each team with £50, which they must use creatively to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity during the three month challenge. This year, the campaign raised nearly £60,000 and the firm hopes to surpass this total in 2026.

Words from Franklins Solicitors

Andrea Smith, Partner at Franklins Solicitors and champion of the initiative said:

“The £50 Challenge is a brilliant way for local businesses and organisations to get involved in fundraising while supporting the charities that matter most to them. We can’t wait to see the creativity and energy that next year’s teams bring to the campaign.”

Charity Partners Share Their Thoughts

Charities from previous years are looking forward to seeing the results.

Nina Gandy, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser Lead at Cynthia Spencer Hospice said:

“The challenge is a fun and inspiring way to engage local supporters. Watching the teams come up with creative ways to fundraise is always amazing. As a charity it is an honour to have been part of the challenge since the very beginning and we can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!”

Rebecca Starmer, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser at Rainbows Hospice said:

‘I love this campaign. Last year was the first year we’d taken part and we’re thrilled to have been chosen again. It means so much to the young people we support and it’s a great opportunity to raise awareness of the support services we offer.’

New charity partners are equally enthusiastic.

Sallie Stone-Bearne, Fundraiser for the Spinal Injuries Association said:

“Being chosen as a charity partner is an honour. We’re excited to see the innovative ideas teams come up with to raise funds for our cause.”

Charlotte Richardson, Corporate Partnerships Manager for Medical Detection Dogs said:

“We’re thrilled to have been chosen for the campaign – it’s a great platform to raise awareness of our work, develop relationships with local businesses and raise vital funds at the same time.”

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Challenge

The Franklins £50 Challenge, now in its ninth year, continues to support local charities while fostering collaboration and creativity. Businesses interested in forming a team can register their interest via www.franklins50.co.uk.

Charities invited to apply for Franklins £50 Challenge 2026

Franklins Solicitors is calling on local charities to apply to become beneficiaries of the Franklins £50 Challenge 2026.

The Franklins £50 Challenge is a well established fundraising campaign that brings together businesses and charities to raise vital funds and awareness across the region.

The 2026 Challenge will run from 23rd February to 29th May 2026 and will once again support twelve local charities. Charities have until Friday 3 October 2025 to submit their nominations.

The concept is simple. Franklins provides participating businesses with £50 of seed funding, which they are challenged to grow into as much money as possible for their chosen charity over a three month period. From bake sales to skydives, the creativity and enthusiasm of the teams have made the Challenge a community favourite.

About the Franklins £50 Challenge

Now in its eighth year, the Challenge has become a much anticipated fundraising campaign in the region, connecting businesses and charities to raise vital funds and awareness under the banner: Start Small, Grow Big. Make a Difference.

In 2025, a record breaking 57 teams raised over £59,000 for twelve charities across Milton Keynes, Northampton and the surrounding areas, making it the most successful year to date.

Words from Franklins Solicitors

Andrea Smith, Equity Partner at Franklins Solicitors, said:

“The Franklins £50 Challenge is proof that small beginnings can lead to extraordinary impact. We’re proud to have grown this initiative from supporting just three charities in its first year to twelve today. For 2026, we’re looking forward to partnering with charities that make a real difference to people at every stage of life. It’s a privilege to shine a light on the incredible work being done in our communities.”

How to Apply or Get Involved

Charities based in Milton Keynes, Northampton, or the surrounding areas are encouraged to apply here.

Businesses, organisations and individuals can also register to take part in the challenge as a team on www.franklins50.co.uk.