International Men’s Day – In Conversation with Sam Biggerstaff

This week, ABC Chambers Solutions is marking International Men’s Day by highlighting positive male role models across the legal sector. At a time when toxic masculinity is on the rise, it has never been more important to celebrate men who lead with kindness, emotional intelligence and connection.

Today, we are proud to feature Sam Biggerstaff, Senior Business Development & Recruitment Manager at ABC Chambers Solutions.

Sam is a highly regarded and experienced former clerk with more than 25 years in the Commercial field. Sam established his clerking career at 7 King’s Bench Walk before spending 19 successful years at Essex Court Chambers where he held a senior position. In 2014, he stepped away from clerking to build his own business and create a healthier work–life balance with his young family. At ABC, Sam now leads our senior-level recruitment and consultancy work, acting as a trusted advisor to Chambers and individuals across the Bar.

In his thoughtful article, Sam reflects on the societal pressures that have long discouraged men from expressing vulnerability or seeking support. Sam believes Chambers can play a crucial role in normalising conversations around men’s mental health by encouraging openness from senior leaders, incorporating wellbeing into everyday dialogue, offering practical support initiatives, and training staff to recognise signs of stress or burnout.

On a personal level, Sam shares how playing team sport – now walking football – has become an essential tool in managing his mental wellbeing. The camaraderie, focus and connection it brings offer a sense of belonging that benefits not only his physical health but his emotional resilience. He also reflects on the evolution of masculinity, emphasising that healthy masculinity is rooted in kindness, emotional honesty and authenticity rather than outdated expectations of stoicism.

Sam’s message to men and boys this International Men’s Day is: being a man isn’t about meeting expectations – 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭.

Our sincere thanks go to Sam for his candour, compassion and willingness to share his experiences. His openness strengthens conversations across the profession and provides an example of the kind of leadership our industry needs.

The theme for International Men’s Day 2025 is “celebrating men and boys,” focusing on uplifting positive male role models and supporting men’s wellbeing. We’ll be sharing a new piece each day for the rest of this week, spotlighting men in Chambers who are driving positive cultural change across the profession.