Ward Hadaway has announced that it will support Jess Baker as the Newcastle-based professional golfer continues to compete in the 2026 Ladies European Tour (LET).

Ward Hadaway, a UK Top 100 law firm with offices in both the North East and North West of England, such as Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Teesside, joins Baker’s existing sponsors, which include Newcastle-based investment company Develop North PLC, wealth and fund managers Tier One Capital and bespoke charter flight specialist NALJets.

On sponsoring Baker, a commercial litigation partner and Head of Sport at Ward Hadaway Phil Edmondson said: “Jess is a talented athlete and a strong ambassador for the North East, so we are pleased to support her as she continues to build her professional career. Competing at this level takes elite levels of commitment, resilience and professionalism. Jess brings those qualities to her sport and is also clear about the role she wants to play in encouraging the next generation. That makes this a natural partnership for Ward Hadaway. We work closely with organisations and individuals across sport, and we recognise the importance of backing talent from the region.”

Baker won the Women’s Amateur Championship in 2022 and has since gone on to build a ‘growing profile in the sport’ whilst also representing the North East on the international stage.

The new sponsorship deal will include ‘joint branding, digital and social media activity, personal appearances and golf clinics', which will support ‘both Ward Hadaway’s sport sector work and Jess’s ambition to encourage more young people into golf’.

On having the support of Ward Hadaway, Newcastle-born Baker said: “I'm absolutely delighted to have a company of the magnitude of Ward Hadaway getting behind me, especially with their growing reputation in the sports sector. This support really helps me to fulfil my dreams every day, and so I’m happy to shout about them and promote the work they do whenever I’m out on tour and as part of the joint partnership. Tour life certainly has its challenges, and I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I do without the financial support I’ve been able to secure.

“As a big football fan, there’s always Newcastle United chat with the people I meet on tour, and that helps to get the conversation started. I love the fact that the job I do allows me to celebrate where I’m from on a global scale. I’ve always benefitted from strong regional support, and I’m now in a position where I can return something back to the businesses that have backed me. As a youngster I was supported by Sport Newcastle and the Northumberland Ladies Golf Association, and I’ll never forget that. It’s why I’ll always try to give back to golf.

“Encouraging kids from a young age to take up the game is really a no-brainer. Golf gives you so many life skills. I’ve learnt the importance of hard work, perseverance and dedication as well as wider skills like communication, dealing with emotions and time management. I’m ready to pass on all of this experience and more – whether that’s to aspiring golfers or members of the business community seeking a different perspective.”

Ward Hadaway already has an established sports team that advises clients across the sector, while also running a ‘wider programme of support for community and professional sport.’

Alongside the support that Baker receives from Ward Hadaway, she was just last year announced as ‘Close House Golf Club’s attached Ladies Tour professional', with the club offering her support both on and off the course.

In their support of Baker, the owner of Close House Sir Graham Wylie said: “Jess is an excellent role model and the perfect ambassador for Close House and the North East.

“It’s wonderful to see her taking the Ladies European Tour in her stride and showcasing our region to the rest of the world. Jess is an inspiration to the young players coming through at Close House, and we’re excited to see where her career goes from here.”

The next event in the 2026 Ladies European Tour will be the KPMG Women’s Irish Open which will take place between 27 – 30 August.

The season will then continue until the final event, the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana, which will be contested between 26 – 29 November.