Hello, my name is Ian Spender, I am a Director in the Lifetime Planning Team at JCP Solicitors. I first joined JCP following the merger with my firm, Howe and Spender, in August 2025.
I have been practising law for more than 30 years, specialising in Lifetime Planning including Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney and Trusts. While my primary focus is on Lifetime Planning, my background in residential and commercial property work provides a complementary skill set that enhances the support I offer clients in managing their personal and business affairs.
I qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and have spent my career at Howe and Spender, starting there on a work experience placement in the summer holidays. It has been a privilege to progress through the practice and ultimately serve as Managing Partner, a role I held until the merger with JCP Solicitors. The history of Howe and Spender is something I am proud of - founded in 1995 through a merger between John Spender & Co (established by my father in 1975) and Howe Walsh and Ambrose (a practice with over 100 years of history). You can read more about the history of Howe and Spender here. This legacy of service and strong local ties is something I carry forward into my role with JCP Solicitors.
I have had the privilege of supporting generations of families and businesses in Port Talbot and the surrounding area, often working with clients through some of life’s most important milestones. The merger with JCP Solicitors is an exciting new chapter. It allows me to continue serving my existing clients while offering them access to a wider range of legal services in Port Talbot. It also strengthens our presence in Station Road, creating opportunities for local people to begin or grow their legal careers without having to leave the town.
I am proud to be a full accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formally Solicitors for the Elderly) - and I have served in the past as the President of the Neath Port Talbot Law Society.
Away from the office, I am passionate about rugby, having played at both club and representative levels across South Wales, including Aberavon RFC and Neath RFC. I also enjoy contributing to the local community, in particular I am a lifetime supporter of the Port Talbot RNLI. Looking forward, the merger with JCP Solicitors will allow me more time doing what I love most, spending time with my family, travelling and watching the rugby!