Belinda joined Graysons in 1991 and went on to secure scores of compensation awards for clients who had suffered personal injury, including industrial disease awards for miners and their families.

She also worked closely with the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Group (DAST) charity and between them, they secured over £10m in benefits and compensation for victims of asbestos exposure.

Belinda has participated in and supported a variety of fund-raising events for the charity as well as being a regular attendee at events.

Her Graysons colleague, Jon West, will now be taking over responsibility for the firm’s long-established industrial disease work as well as continuing his partner role within the personal injury department.

Belinda joined the firm straight after finishing law school and became a salaried partner in 1999 and an equity partner in 2004.  She headed up Graysons’ training arm as well as carrying out her personal injury and industrial disease work.

She said:

“It has been a real privilege to work for Graysons over the years and to have the opportunity to help many people. I’m looking forward to handing over the reins to Jon West – a colleague I have the highest regard for.”

The UK has the world’s highest rates of mesothelioma – the cancer caused by asbestos exposure – with around 2,700 people each year being diagnosed, often decades after first coming into contact with asbestos.

Peter Clark, managing partner at Graysons, said:

“There’s no doubt Belinda has done some outstanding work over the years and made a real difference to the lives of countless people affected by personal injury, including those affected by asbestos exposure.  She has made an enormous contribution to our firm and will be missed by staff and clients.  We wish her the very best for a long and happy retirement and thank her for her years of loyal service.”