Barbara Mills KC Makes History as Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales for 2025

Our very own Joint Head of Chambers, Barbara Mills KC, has made history as Chair of The Bar Council of England and Wales for 2025. Her groundbreaking appointment marks several historic firsts. Barbara becomes the first black woman and the first person of colour to hold the role, as well as leading the first all-female officer team in the Bar Council’s 130-year history, working alongside Vice-Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC and Treasurer Lucinda Orr. Barbara also becomes the first Family Law barrister in 35 years to chair the Bar since Sir Robert Johnson.

In her inaugural address, Barbara outlined her personal priorities for the year. She pledged “to raise the profile of family law and to help the Government in its mission to halve violence against women and girls.” She also emphasised the importance of embedding wellbeing as “a skill and a core part of effective practice management” and committed to making “further strides in our pursuit of equality, diversity and inclusion”.

In her closing words, Barbara drew on an African proverb from her Ghanaian upbringing: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” before inviting the Bar to “walk with [her] so we can go far together.”

Charles Hale KC, Joint Head of 4PB, commented:

“I am delighted both for Barbara and for the Bar, that Barbara has now become Chair of the Bar of England and Wales. I know I speak on behalf of all of my Chambers, her family and friends, when I say that we are incredibly proud of what she has achieved and what she will now go on to achieve! There will be young black girls who will see what Barbara has achieved, and they will be inspired to achieve themselves. That in itself is a legacy, even before the year in office is done.”