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Freshfields recognised among top 10 in Social Mobility Employer Index 2024
Freshfields has been awarded 10th place in the Top 75 of the Social Mobility Employer Index 2024, the leading authority on employer best practice, for our commitment to driving progress in social mobility in the UK, increasing 12 places from the 22nd position in last year’s rankings.
Now in its eighth year, the Index ranks UK employers based on their activity across the previous year (2023) to ensure that they are open to accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds, and showcasing progress towards improving social mobility. A total of 150 organisations entered in 2024, with law firms constituting 37% per cent of entrants.
Earlier this year, we announced a new social mobility focused recruitment target for the UK, as part of the firm’s wider commitments to inclusion and equality. This means that across the 2024 – 2026 recruitment cycles, the firm will aim to recruit at least 20% of trainees from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This target seeks to increase the social diversity of the current trainee population positioning the firm among the first few to publish specific target and the first to commit to 20% of the trainee population.
Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Helen Ouseley said: “We are delighted to have achieved a top 10 ranking in the Social Mobility Employer Index. This progress reflects our commitment to fostering a more inclusive workplace and to continuing to evolve our strategy. We remain dedicated to providing opportunities for talented individuals from all social backgrounds to thrive within our firm, which is underscored by our social mobility-focused recruitment target we launched earlier this year. My thanks to everyone across the firm, including our Social Mobility Network who are involved in driving our social mobility efforts forward.”
Annette Byron, partner sponsor for social mobility, added: “Being recognised in the top 10 reaffirms our commitment to breaking down barriers for those from underrepresented backgrounds. To nurture and retain diverse talent and ensure that our recruitment and progression pathways are accessible to all. This achievement reinforces our commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”
The recognition aligns with our ongoing efforts to drive social mobility change in the legal sector and beyond, with firm commitments including:
- Publishing firm data on socio-economic (social mobility) background for the first time within its 2022 UK pay gap report in line with research showing social mobility can affect access to the legal profession, people’s sense of belonging and rate of progression;
- Partnering with Rare Recruitment, Aspiring Solicitors, PRIME and the 93% Club to support high-potential candidates and to improve access to the legal profession.
- Delivering award-winning social mobility programmes including our Aspiring Professionals Programme and Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme (the latter now in its 12th year).
