Sarah-Jane Butler

Sarah-Jane is an award-winning lawyer and serial entrepreneur. Along with fellow directors, she launched Farringford Legal in September 2021, in response to spotting a gap in the market for a new breed of law firm – one focused on delivering exceptional personalised service to SMEs which was not widely available at prices aligned with the budgets of small business owners. 

Sarah-Jane began her legal career in debt and equity markets at Linklaters and has since expanded her expertise to include employment and commercial law. Earlier in her career, she also worked with Freshfields LLP, Goldman Sachs, and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP (formerly Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP).

In 2011, Sarah-Jane founded Working Life Solutions, a business that, for a decade, supported professional women in organisational roles. Managing her own SME gave her firsthand insight into the challenges of growth within the tightly interconnected SME ecosystem. She identified a lack of robust support for female founders and observed that many services targeting SMEs were either overpriced or of substandard quality.

A passionate advocate for female entrepreneurs, Sarah-Jane campaigns for greater support to help their businesses thrive. She has received numerous accolades, including SME Businesswoman of the Year, is a WeAreTheCity Rising Star Champion, and has been nominated for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year. She is also a graduate of the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme and remains an active member of its alumni network.

Farringford Legal specialises in providing affordable, agile and commercially focused legal services to entrepreneurs and those running SMEs. It supports high-growth sectors such as technology and e-commerce, addressing a range of business-critical issues including commercial law, corporate transactions, employment & HR, intellectual property (IP), and data protection.

All Farringford Legal lawyers are highly experienced, all coming from Magic Circle firms. It stands out by integrating legal expertise with complementary business advice. The firm collaborates with HR, tax, and data protection consultants and includes a trademark attorney on its team.

By focusing on SMEs, the firm aligns its offerings to meet the unique challenges of growing businesses, providing not only legal guidance but also strategic insights for sustainable growth.

Why do you support the work of the Entrepreneurs Network?

One of my personal ambitions is to make a meaningful impact on the entrepreneurial community by lending my voice and actions to campaigns that help SME businesses thrive in the UK.

I admire how The Entrepreneurs Network has created an effective bridge between the business community and central government. It ensures entrepreneurs have a platform to be heard and influence policy that fosters sustainable growth—a mission I strongly support.

As a champion for female founders, I am particularly passionate about working with the Female Founders Forum. Their efforts to close the funding gap by encouraging investors to back female entrepreneurs align closely with my advocacy goals.

What research should more people read?

I recommend exploring research on artificial intelligence (AI), though the rapid pace of technological advancements makes it challenging to stay up to date. Many of our clients in the tech industry seek legal advice for innovative AI initiatives to ensure they future-proof their technologies or supply chains.

Tech Nation’s UK Tech in the Age of AI report is a must-read. Its findings are fascinating, showcasing the UK’s leadership in Europe’s AI sector, while also highlighting areas of opportunity and potential threats. I’m encouraged by the ongoing investment in AI start-ups – it’s vital that business leaders remain forward-thinking, as AI is here to stay.

Why is the UK an attractive place to grow a business?

The UK’s entrepreneurial spirit and talent pool are key. The country has a long-standing tradition of fostering exceptional individuals with the creativity and drive to innovate. Additionally, the abundance of organisations dedicated to supporting business growth makes the UK an ideal environment for entrepreneurs. With such a strong ecosystem in place, why look anywhere else?