26/02/2025

Nick Whitworth is a Property Partner based in our Ashley Road office. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1995, he joined Maddocks Clarke and has headed up our Altrincham office since Beswicks’ acquisition in 2021.

As an A-level student, Nick was destined to become a scientist until he changed direction, following in his father’s footsteps to pursue a career in law. He also has an unusual hobby that takes place in his garage! Read our Q&A to find out more.

What or who inspired you to choose a career in law?

It was my dad, Brian Whitworth. I was good at sciences at school and had a place at one or two decent universities to study physics, but my dad loved his job as a solicitor and his enthusiasm rubbed off on me.

My dad really enjoyed interaction with people. He got a great buzz out of it and would usually come home with a smile on his face.

This inspired me to switch to a law degree at university and the rest is history!

What’s the best bit about your job?

Probably reaching the end of a job. You feel a real sense of satisfaction when you see how happy clients are. I am often helping them with something significant in their lives, so seeing them smile at the end and knowing you’ve helped them to move forward in a meaningful way is immensely rewarding.

If you weren’t a solicitor, what would you be?

I’d probably have been a research scientist. I did find science very interesting, especially the idea of discovering something new. In the end I went to Kent University to study law, which is where I met my wife, so I certainly can’t say I have any regrets!

What motto would you say you live and work by?

I would say treat other people how you would want to be treated yourself. So often the things that we see and hear in the news are dispiriting, so it makes it all the more important that we show kindness in the way we interact with each other, whether that’s with strangers or people we know.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Sydney. My wife and I lived in Sydney for a year before we were married. My training contract was in London, so I was getting the tube to work every day. Swapping the tube for the Sydney Harbour Ferry was a definite improvement!

We came back to the UK when our money ran out and had our family. We’ve never been back since. It remains a fantastic city though, and I’d love to go back one day, maybe in my twilight years….

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love walking and am (for my sins) a Manchester City season ticket holder. As part of my burgeoning mid-life crisis, I have also recently got into DJing.

I’ve always loved all kinds of music but in the last couple of years have really discovered electronic dance music. For the last ten years or so I have been taking my three daughters to various music festivals and dance music has gradually seeped in.

A year or two ago I was lucky enough to receive some decks as a present and am now often to be found in my garage playing on them for hours at a time. I’ve played live at a few parties, but am not planning a career change any time soon, so Fat Boy Slim need not be too concerned!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My dad was a great believer in living for the ‘here and now’ rather than planning, recording, collecting for and worrying too much about the future.

I think this has stuck with me. I can’t for the life of me understand why people record gigs, sporting events and so on on their phones instead of actually watching and experiencing them – I think I’m in the minority though!

In essence, I suppose, ‘live in the moment’ as much as possible.