The 21st Annual Sole Practitioners Group (‘SPG’) Conference was hosted in Prague, led by the then
Chairman and the Principle Solicitor of Avery Emerson, Sukhjit Ahluwalia. This year’s annual conference with the theme of the Practice of Excellence. It was almost 18 months to the day from SPGs last Conference in Birmingham 2015.
The conference was set in the centre of scenic Prague, in the grand Marriott Hotel. Prague being a tourist city, especially this time of the year with the Famous Christmas Markets was especially busy.The town was jostling with visitors as the SPG members arrived early on Friday the 25th November to catch the SPG Tram Tour around the Old town with a glass of mulled wine.
A scrumptious banquet was then awaiting our members at the Hotel, which allowed many of the SPG 
members to reacquaint themselves, especially when so many had not seen each other since the last conference held 18 months previously. Michael Gordon & Penny Raby led the evening with a session on Effective Networking.
Saturday commenced a the welcome speech by Sukhjit Ahluwalia, who introduced Michelle Peters who launched straight into Business Growth. Followed by Alberto Costa talking about Brexit. Peter Wright took up the reins and educated everybody on what to watch out for on Cyber security.
Robert Burns, the Law Society President informed the SPG members on the challenges in our profession and the work that he is engaged in to assist the profession with special emphasis on the Sole Practitioner.
A special Fringe meeting was held in the Main Hall lead by Jane Malcolm from the SRA with a regulatory update.
Sunday’s schedule was short, but equally filled with lots of opportunity to for SPG members to put across lots of questions and to obtain tips to enhance their business.
Jane Malcolm from the SRA discussed the current changes in the regulatory arena. Kathryn Stone Chief Ombudsmen updated SPG members on the role of the Ombudsmen.
Dr Kate Baker spoke on how to achieve excellence in Practice through Lexcel. To end a very busy weekend Richard Fallon entertained us all while giving golden nugget tips on how to grow your business.
Closing speeches where given by the new Chair Oluwakemi Mosaku who was excited and honoured to be leading the group moving forward.
This year the conference Gala dinner had a theme of Masquerade ball and all the guests made lots of effort to dress for the occasion. The ball was in the famous Prague Municipal Building in the Smetana Hall. The Hall is a Concert hall decorated with exquisite paintings on the walls and ceilings and set the scene for the surprise Panto!
This year’s Charity was Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity. The Raffle prizes were sponsored by
Leap this year.
Feedback from the conference was glowing, with guests commenting on topics from the excellent speakers and the networking opportunities to the entertainment and amazing setting.
If you are a Sole Practioner, or considering becoming a Sole Practitioner please go on the SPG website as provided below. Membership is free and many informative and fun other events are held through out the year, both on a local and national scale.
