Stewarts is listed as a Top 75 employer for social mobility in the 2023 Employer Index, published by the Social Mobility Foundation.
Now in its seventh year, the Social Mobility Employer Index is the leading authority on employer-led social mobility. The Index is a rigorous assessment of the steps being taken by employers to ensure talent from all social backgrounds can get in and get on in organisations. Entrants for the index employ a total of more than one million people; the legal sector is the most represented industry among submitting firms.
By entering the index, we:
- took action to improve social mobility within our organisation;
- got advice to ensure we recruit and retain the UK’s best talent;
- played our part in building a more equitable society for everyone.
Sarah Atkinson, Social Mobility Foundation CEO, says: “Thank you so much for taking part in this year’s Social Mobility Employer Index and congratulations on making it into the top 75 employers. Your participation and ranking are evidence of your commitment to ensuring people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds get in, get on and belong in your organisation.”
Clare McCabe, HR Director at Stewarts, says: “We are extremely pleased to have been ranked in the top 75 of the Social Mobility Employer Index. We will continue to work towards our goal of being an inclusive firm, in which everyone feels they belong and where diversity is valued.”
The Social Mobility Foundation and Stewarts
In 2023, we hosted work experience students via the Social Mobility Foundation for the second year running. Each student had the opportunity to spend time with two mentors and their departments, carrying out legal tasks such as researching and preparing articles, document preparation and review and work shadowing duties.
The wider timetable included presentations relating to Stewarts, the legal system, and how to become a lawyer; and practical sessions focusing on diversity and inclusion, building your personal brand, presentation and debating skills, and writing a personal statement.
Through its Aspiring Professionals Programme, the Social Mobility Foundation supports students from Year 12, lower sixth or S5 through to their first graduate job. Completely free of charge for participants, the programme gives students the skills, guidance, confidence and networks to access and thrive in higher education and top careers.
Social mobility is a priority area in the overall Diversity & Inclusion programme at Stewarts. Several of our diversity champions focus on social mobility including partner Alison Goldney, who published her career story earlier in 2023.
You can find further information regarding our expertise, experience and team on our Diversity and Equality pages.
If you require assistance from our team, please contact us or alternatively request a call back from one of our lawyers by submitting this form.
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