Obituary: Andrew Gregg

Highly respected solicitor Andrew Gregg, who was twice president of the Bristol Law Society and its one-time publicity representative, frequently appearing on the radio and television, has died. He was 80.

Gregg, who was articled to Raper & Fovargue in Battle, Sussex, in 1965 and admitted as a solicitor in 1970, joined Osborne Clarke in Bristol in 1974, after spells at Herringtons in Hastings, Sussex, and Geoffrey Borg Wotton & Young in Ramsgate, Kent.

He became a partner the following year and set up and established Osborne Clarke’s criminal defence team, growing and developing it until it became the leading criminal defence firm in the south west.

He left Osborne Clarke after almost 20 years as a partner to establish his own practice, Andrew Gregg & Co, operating out of the firm’s current offices on Queen Square. His firm later merged with another just a few doors along to become Gregg Galbraith Quinn, eventually being renamed Gregg Latchams Quinn, then GLQ and GL Law and now, following further mergers, part of national firm Shakespeare Martineau.

Gregg, who retired as senior partner in 2014, was also a notary public and a past president of the Notaries Society. He was also awarded an honorary degree of doctor of awws from UWE Bristol. 

He had a long-standing interest in aviation, at one time holding a private pilot’s licence, and for many years was deputy chairman of the Bristol Aero Collection Trust (BACT), the charity which runs the Aerospace Bristol museum, retiring from the board in 2023.

BACT chairman Sir Iain Gray said: 'Andrew made a huge contribution to both the establishment of Aerospace Bristol, but importantly its operation through the first five years. He brought both his professional knowledge and network, but also enthusiasm and passion towards the history of aerospace in Bristol.'

'He was the deputy chair for many years, but always managed to keep this bridge between the governance of the museum and the interests and ambition of its members and volunteers. He will be missed.' He was also a trustee of the charity, Fly2Help, established by Phil O’Dell, Rolls-Royce chief test pilot, which organises days of respite for families going through difficult life experiences, providing a chance to take to the skies in a light aircraft and make incredible memories together. It also showcases all the opportunities available to young people considering their future career choices in the aviation or aerospace industries.

Gregg was also a trustee and actively involved in the work of Young Bristol, which provides high-quality, community-based youth services and innovative programmes for young people aged 8 - 25 during their critical out-of-school hours.

Gregg was born in 1943 and educated at the Dragon School, Oxford, and at Kings College, Canterbury, before attending the University of Aix-Marseille in France, where he read humanities, and at one time wanted to become a farmer.

His childhood desire to be a farmer was realised in part when he persuaded the Farmers’ Club in London to allow him to become a member on the basis that he owned a field close to his house.

He was also a car enthusiast, for a time owning a 1930s Lagonda and taking it abroad on tours and trips with other members of the Lagonda Club.

Gregg, who lived in Abbots Leigh, north Somerset, leaves a wife, Carol to whom he was devoted, a son, Edward, and a daughter, Elizabeth.