Senior partner celebrated at the 2026 North East Business Awards

(Photo: Reach plc)

We were delighted to see Hugh Welch, senior partner and corporate lawyer, honoured at the 2026 North East Business Awards.

The award recognises people who, over the course of their careers, have helped build successful businesses, supported others and made a real difference in their communities. For Hugh, who also leads on the firm’s purpose initiatives, it reflects more than 40 years of being part of Muckle and the contribution he has made both to the firm and the wider North East.

Over 40 years of excellence

Since joining the firm in 1985, Hugh has played a vital part in the firm's development. Alongside a long and successful career as a corporate lawyer, working on some of the region’s biggest transactions, he has played an important role in shaping the kind of firm Muckle is today.

That includes his work around purpose and the role businesses can play in making a positive difference. It’s something Hugh has helped develop at Muckle over many years, gradually building it into an important part of how we think about the firm, our people and our place in the community.

The award marks another milestone in Hugh's career, as he celebrated his 40th year in our corporate team in 2025 and has been recognised throughout his career as one of the region’s leading corporate lawyers, including being named as an ‘Eminent Practitioner’ by Chambers & Partners. 

Muckle’s force for good

Hugh isn't just dedicated to his legal work; he is also passionate about making a meaningful impact in his community. Hugh’s interest in purpose goes well beyond his work at Muckle. Over the years, he has been a trustee for a number of charities, giving his time, experience and legal knowledge to organisations doing important work in their communities.

One of those is Teesside charity Clean Slate Solutions, where Hugh continues to serve as a trustee, supporting the charity as it develops its strategy and works to help more people in the region.

That same sense of purpose has been a constant thread through Hugh’s work at Muckle. He has helped shape how we think about the contribution we can make as a business, from supporting charities and community organisations through our Muckle Fund at the Community Foundation to using our skills and expertise to help others through volunteering and pro bono.

Leading with purpose

Hugh has also played a big part in our B Corp journey. He helped get the firm behind the idea and, over the years that followed, worked with colleagues across Muckle to bring the principles of B Corp into the way we operate.

That work led to Muckle becoming B Corp certified in 2023.

We’re now going through the recertification process, with Hugh continuing to help drive that work and encourage more businesses across the North East to think about what purpose means for them. We’ve also hosted events at Muckle to bring businesses together and share ideas about the B Corp movement and the role businesses can play in their communities.

Making an impact

Through the Outstanding Contribution award, Hugh is recognised as one of the true good guys of the North East Business Community. Someone who is values-driven, believes in using business as a force for good, and is actively encouraging other businesses to do the same.

A huge congratulations to Hugh for this incredible achievement.

Learn more about the firm’s purpose work in our B Corp review.