Brett Welch (1.86-91) has built a distinguished legal career spanning advocacy, public service and senior leadership at the heart of government. After leaving Malvern College, he read History at the University of Manchester before converting to law at City University, London, and completing his Bar Finals. He was called to the Bar in 1996 and began his career as a self-employed barrister, undertaking a wide range of work from criminal and immigration cases to civil litigation. The early years provided invaluable courtroom experience for Brett, with frequent advocacy and exposure to the full breadth of the legal system.
In 2000, Brett joined the Civil Service as an employed barrister, beginning a 24-year career across a variety of high-profile legal roles. He started in law enforcement with HM Customs and Excise, working on complex cases involving VAT fraud, money laundering and serious organised crime, before helping to establish the Assets Recovery Agency, where he led its litigation team. Moving into central government, he served as Deputy Director in the Department for Education during a period of significant reform, contributing to the development of Academies and Free Schools and advising on a wide range of education policy and regulation.
Brett later joined HM Treasury in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, leading work on financial regulation, international sanctions and terrorist asset freezing. His role placed him at the centre of major global events, including the response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the Arab Spring. In 2018, he became the most senior legal adviser to the Department for Transport, overseeing a team of 160 and advising on major national issues such as Heathrow expansion, rail franchising, Covid-19 and the UK’s exit from the European Union. He subsequently led the Government Legal Department’s Litigation Group, leading 650 staff and overseeing the full spectrum of government litigation.
Today, Brett serves as Chief Legal Officer at the Metropolitan Police Service, the most senior police lawyer in the country, advising the Commissioner and senior leadership while leading a team of 180 and helping shape organisational culture during a period of significant change. Reflecting on his career, he has been drawn throughout by the opportunity to work on issues of real public importance, motivated by a strong sense of doing what is right and delivering positive impact for society. He credits Malvern with giving him the confidence to seize opportunities and succeed, through the broad range of opportunities it offered – from music scholarships and bands and orchestras where he played his much-loved trumpet, to sport and academic achievement. His time at the College fostered both discipline and curiosity, foundations that have underpinned a career defined by variety, purpose and public service.