Fishers on the Case

In 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 an important role in the community.

In 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 improve the process for buyers and sellers.

In 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 like Ashby Connect, and how strong client relationships define success.

In 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 support clients across different areas of life and business.

In 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 of his work.

In 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.

In 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 explore conveyancing, selling a house, and why engaging with your solicitor early could reduce delays and fall throughs.An honest, practical and energetic conversation about career changes, community and building confidence in business.

Welcome 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 in 2026. Karen explains what is being discussed, including:Potential day one employment rights and what that could mean for employersFair dismissal changes and how probation periods might workPossible updates to statutory sick payChanges linked to trade union recognitionWhy businesses should be proactive now, not reactive laterKaren also shares practical advice on what employers can tighten up today, from recruitment and interview processes to probation reviews, contracts, policies and training line managers for difficult conversations.If you employ people, manage a team, or run a business, this episode is packed with grounded insight and clear next steps.

In 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 important when developing or purchasing land.A practical and informative episode for anyone buying, building, developing or simply wanting to understand how planning and property design really works.

In 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 career in law.