Gorvins Solicitors prides itself on the top-quality legal services we offer to our clients. We can only achieve that with the very best people guiding clients through every stage of their legal matter.
In our Meet the team series, we shine a light on the people behind the work. This time, we meet Claire Beaumont, Partner and Head of Commercial Property.
What’s your role at Gorvins?
I’m a Partner and Head of the Commercial Property team. I’ve been at Gorvins for just over 10 years and became sole head of the team after initially stepping into the role as co-head. Alongside running the team, I’m also an equity partner.
When I took on the role, the team was around six people. Today, we’ve grown to 14 strong, which is a testament to the long-term success of the department and the quality of the people we have in the team.
My career journey
I studied at university in Manchester before heading to London for law school and completing my training contract at a firm called Underwoods. From there, I gradually worked my way north again, spending time in Hertfordshire before returning home to Manchester.
I joined Weightmans during the early 2000s property boom, which was an exciting time to be a junior lawyer. The market was buoyant, the work was fast-paced and there was a real buzz around the sector. After that, I moved to Leightons just before the 2008 crash.
While the crash brought its challenges, it was also a formative period. I stayed at Laytons for over 10 years, riding out difficult market conditions and building strong professional relationships. When the market slowed, people still made time to meet and support each other, which helped create connections that have stood the test of time.
I was promoted to partner at Laytons and stayed for several years before being headhunted to join Gorvins. Although I didn’t know the firm particularly well at the time, meeting the team and understanding the culture made it clear it was the right move. Being based in Stockport made the decision even easier.
I joined Gorvins as a partner in the commercial property team, working alongside Martin Hoare as head of department. After initially becoming co-head, I then took on the role fully. It was a big step at the time, but one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.
Life beyond the day job
Alongside my role at Gorvins, I’ve volunteered with Women in Property for around 15 years. It was one of the first committees I ever joined and something I’ve stayed committed to because of the people and the support it provides to both myself and others.
Around six years ago, I also took on a non-executive director role with Jigsaw Homes Group. Sitting on a social housing landlord board gives me a very different perspective on property and development, particularly around how organisations operate and how tenants are supported. It’s a viewpoint that adds real value to my day-to-day work.
Why Gorvins?
The people. Gorvins is down to earth, collaborative and genuinely supportive to their clients and their team. There are no egos and no politics. People roll their sleeves up and help each other to meet clients’ aims.
That culture really came through during COVID. As an independent firm, there’s no safety net. Everyone has to pull together and get things right. Seeing how the firm responded during that period reinforced why Gorvins is such a good fit for me.
At the firm, our overarching purpose is to deliver legal solutions that create lasting value for our clients. The team dynamic at the practice is central to our ability to do that, day in, day out.
What I’m looking forward to this year
MIPIM is going to be a big highlight this year. I’m attending as part of the Place delegation and spending more time in the conference sessions, which is a new experience for me. Previously, MIPIM was very much about networking, but I’m looking forward to the learning side and bringing useful insights back to the team.
UKREiiF is another key date in the diary. I’ll be attending with Paul and Amanda, and we’re also bringing along two of our newly qualified solicitors so they can experience it first-hand. It’s important they get early exposure to the wider property sector and see how everything connects.
More broadly, the focus this year is on continuing to develop the team and building on the progress we’ve made, with some exciting opportunities ahead. In 2025 the deals we worked on in the commercial property team hit the £250m mark. In 2026, we’re looking at how we can eclipse that number.
One piece of advice for clients
Speak to us early. Come to us when the idea is still forming, before decisions are locked in. We often see clients spend significant time and money heading down the wrong path before taking legal advice.
An early conversation doesn’t have to be formal. We’re always happy to have an informal chat and help things stack up from the start.
What I enjoy outside of work
Pilates, walking and spending time with my family. I really enjoy watching my children play sport, particularly cricket, and holidays are essential. I also enjoy eating out, which probably explains the Pilates.
I grew up in Stockport and my family have always been local, so working where I live has always felt like a natural fit. It’s one of the things that strikes a chord with me about the way Gorvins work. We are, first and foremost, a Stockport business. That doesn’t mean our work is geographically restricted to Stockport as we have clients rights across the country, but it does mean that we champion Stockport, its people, its communities and its businesses in everything we do.