Shows
Fishers on the CaseWhy Being a Lawyer Was the Perfect Foundation for My Writing Business - Fishers on the Case - EP 14 Kirsty FranceWhat happens when you trade the courtroom for the copy desk? In this episode of Fishers on the Case, CEO Amanda Payne sits down with Kirsty France, founder of Kirsty France Writes, to explore her fascinating transition from a 10-year career as a solicitor to becoming a professional copywriter and fiction author.
Kirsty reveals how her legal background specifically her time in personal injury and defendant litigation gave her a unique "Guide" authority, allowing her to translate complex technical jargon into compelling stories for businesses. We dive into the importance of networking, overcoming writer's block by "writing...
2026-05-2922 min
Fishers on the CaseHow Local Businesses Grow in Ashby - Fishers on the Case - EP 13 Jack McPhillipsIn this episode of Fishers on the Case, Amanda Payne sits down with Jack McBillips from Digital Office to talk about local business, family-run companies, and how Ashby has changed over the years.
Jack shares his journey from studying business and marketing to joining the family business, starting from the ground up, and helping Digital Office grow into a modern provider of print, IT, cloud and telecoms solutions.
Amanda and Jack also discuss the growth of Ashby, the importance of face-to-face relationships, working in a family business, and why local businesses continue to play such...
2026-05-1524 min
Fishers on the CaseWhy Does It Take So Long to Buy and Sell a House? - Fishers on the Case - EP 12 Martyn BaumIn this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne is joined by Martyn Baum, estate agent and long-standing friend of Fishers, to discuss the realities of buying and selling property. Martyn shares how he fell into estate agency through work experience, his journey from trainee estate agent to running his own business, and why property is ultimately about people, relationships and trust. Amanda and Martyn also explore why property transactions now take much longer than they used to, what causes delays in conveyancing, why communication between estate agents and solicitors matters, and what could be done to...
2026-05-0138 min
Fishers on the CaseWhat Is It Like to be a sole trader? – Fishers on the Case – EP 11In this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne is joined by Sophie Allen from Serrano Media to discuss what it is really like setting up and running a small business as a sole trader. Sophie shares her journey from working in retail to building a career in graphic design, gaining hands-on experience in print and marketing before launching her own business. They discuss the realities of being a sole trader, including wearing multiple hats, managing finances and learning new skills along the way. The conversation also explores the power of networking, building meaningful relationships through events...
2026-04-1716 min
Fishers on the CaseFinancial Planning, Careers and Local Business Collaboration in Ashby – Fishers on the Case – EP 10In this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne is joined by Sharon Butter, Senior Financial Adviser at Ashwood Law Wealth Management Ltd. Sharon discusses her career journey from studying business management and financial services to working in banking before moving into financial planning. The conversation explores how financial planning has evolved over time, the qualifications required within the industry, and how advisers work with pensions, investments, protection and long term financial planning. Amanda and Sharon also discuss the role local professional firms play within communities like Ashby, and why collaboration between legal and financial professionals can...
2026-04-0316 min
Fishers on the CaseWhy Is Networking Important When Building a Business? | Fishers on the Case | EP 9In this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne speaks with Simon from Utility Warehouse about how networking can help grow a business and build long lasting professional relationships. Simon shares his career journey from spending 38 years in the Royal Navy, including 20 years at sea, to running his own business helping people reduce their household bills. They discuss the value of networking groups, why face to face conversations still matter, and how events such as Ashby Connect can lead to genuine business opportunities. Simon also explains why helping people and building relationships is the most rewarding part...
2026-03-2021 min
Fishers on the CaseWhat Are Local Authority Searches? - Fishers on the Case - EP 8In this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne is joined by James Nelson from Infotrack to explain what local authority searches are, why they matter when buying a property, and why search times can vary across the UK. They discuss the difference between official and regulated searches, how delays can sometimes be managed, and how digital platforms and AI tools are helping modernise the conveyancing process. A must watch for anyone buying, selling or working in property.
2026-03-0625 min
Fishers on the CaseBank Robbers, Managing People and Networking - Fishers on the Case - EP 7In this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne is joined by Sarah Beggin from Approach.
Sarah shares her fascinating career journey, from starting in banking in 1990, progressing to branch manager and sales coach, going through a bank robbery on her final day, and eventually setting up her own business specialising in networking, business development and telephone confidence training.
They discuss managing people, job sharing challenges, moving from corporate life into entrepreneurship, the power of networking, and why confidence on the phone is becoming a lost skill.
Amanda and Sarah also...
2026-02-2023 min
Fishers on the CaseWhat are the 2026 Changes to Employment Law - Fishers on the Case - EP 6Welcome to Fishers on the Case, hosted by Amanda Payne, CEO of Fishers Solicitors.
In this episode, Amanda is joined by Karen Robinson from KR4HR, an HR consultant and senior leadership coach with nearly 20 years of HR experience. Karen shares her career story, how she fell into HR, why she decided to set up her own limited company, and what life is like running a business from home (with two German shepherds keeping her busy).
They then dive into one of the biggest topics for employers right now, the possible changes to employment law...
2026-02-0620 min
Fishers on the CaseWhat is planning and Architectural Design? - Fishers on the Case - EP 5 Mark SmalleyIn this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne is joined by Mark Smalley, Managing Director of David Granger Architectural Design.
Mark shares his career journey of being an architectural design and eventually leading a well established practice. Amanda and Mark explore what architectural design actually involves, from early feasibility and planning through to building regulations, land registry plans and site inspections.
The conversation also dives into real world issues homeowners and buyers face, including planning conditions on new build properties, boundary disputes, land registry inaccuracies and why early legal advice is so...
2026-01-2325 min
Fishers on the CaseWhat's it like working at Fishers Solicitors? - Fishers on the Case - EP 4 May HarrimanIn this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne sits down with May Harriman to talk about what it is really like working at Fishers Solicitors.
May shares her career journey, what her role involves day to day and how her experience at the firm has shaped her professionally. Amanda and May also discuss the culture at Fishers, the opportunities available and what makes working at the firm different from expectations people may have of a legal career.
An honest conversation for anyone curious about life inside a law firm or considering a...
2026-01-0914 min
Fishers on the CaseWhat is an Independent Financial Advisor? - Fishers on the Case - EP 3 Hannah CowellIn this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne speaks with Hannah Cowell to answer a question: What is an Independent Financial Advisor?
Hannah breaks down what an IFA actually does, how independent advice works and how she supports clients with money decisions, planning and financial confidence. Amanda and Hannah also talk about Hannah’s life and career, including how she entered the industry and what shaped her path to becoming an IFA.
2025-12-1916 min
Fishers on the CaseHow a Legal Partner Started a New Life After the War in Ukraine - Fishers on the Case - EP 2 Viktoriia SmyrnovaIn this episode of Fishers on the Case, host Amanda Payne speaks with Viktoriia Smyrnova about her remarkable journey from Ukraine to the UK and how the war forced her to rebuild her life and career.
Viktoriia shares how she left her home, the challenges she faced during the transition and how she found a new path. Amanda and Viktoriia talk about resilience, starting again in a new country and the strength it takes to build a future after such life-changing events. A powerful and inspiring conversation that gives a real look at how conflict can...
2025-12-0519 min
Fishers on the CaseWhy is it so Hard to buy a House? - Fishers on the Case - EP 1 Dan BennettWelcome to the first episode of Fishers on the Case, hosted by Amanda Payne from Fishers Solicitors.
In this episode, Amanda is joined by Dan Bennett, the owner of Digby and Finch Estate Agents. Dan shares the story of his career journey, starting with his early life working with horses, moving into his first role as an estate agent, and eventually setting up his own successful agency.
Together, Amanda and Dan look into what is really happening in the housing market right now. They talk about why buying a home feels slow and stressful for...
2025-11-2128 min