IoL Chairman, Daniel Davies, and Vice-Chairman, Gary Grant, made the announcement at the Annual Gala Dinner and Awards evening on Thursday 17th November during the National Training Conference in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Daniel said:

"Susanna has been a force for good on the Board of the IoL since she joined in 2007 following the merge with SLP and she is a truly exceptional licensing practitioner throughout her career.  We have been extremely fortunate to have her as a Director and I am delighted that she will continue her work with us as Patron."

Gary said:

“Susanna has been a titan in licensing for decades. She has played a major role in the success and growth of the Institute over the years. We are deeply in her debt. She has had an extraordinary career in law and licensing. Over and above her legal achievements, Susanna has stood out as an individual and leader who has given so much back to the industry and profession she has graced. It is therefore with both gratitude and pride that the Institute welcomes Susanna Fitzgerald KC as our third Patron.”

Susanna said:

"I am completely delighted and very proud to become a Patron of the Institute. It has been an honour to have played a small part in the Institute’s transformation from a select group to the large, influential and extremely impressive organisation that it is today.  This has been entirely due to the dedication and hard work of its staff, the leadership of its Chairmen, the other members of the Board, and the excellent teachers over the years.  I very much look forward to continuing to support it as it goes from strength to strength."