If you'd like a glimpse into our 2023 winners' award-winning work, click here.
EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
Winner: TLT
A well-researched, engaged and intellectually focused L&D initiative, driving key elements of the future strategy of the firm, with impressive measurements of success.
Highly Commended: Clyde & Co
BEST HEALTH & WELLBEING INITIATIVE (FOR FIRMS OF UP TO 750 EMPLOYEES)
Sponsored by: Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing
Winner: Fisher Jones Greenwood
The judges were impressed by the simplicity yet effectiveness of the Fisher Jones Greenwood WOW Performance campaign, stressing the importance of high quality conversations that focus on wellbeing.
Highly Commended: Kingsley Napley
BEST HEALTH & WELLBEING INITIATIVE (FOR FIRMS OF OVER 750 EMPLOYEES)
Sponsored by: Smart About Health
Winner: Trowers & Hamlins
The judges considered that this was a very important initiative focusing on partner health and wellbeing, which recognised the particular challenges that partners face and the need to start with the leadership of the firm. It highlights that if you get improved health and wellbeing right for your partners, that this will cascade down throughout the rest of the firm too.
BEST ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE
Sponsored by: The Sustainable Recruitment Alliance
Winner: Bates Wells
The judges considered that this was an incredibly impressive climate programme which brings together the operational strategic and legal/client-facing strands of Bates Wells' climate work. The business consciously changed its ownership structure to B Corp status to ensure these were firmly embedded in the business. The judges were particularly impressed by the firm's default sustainable pension fund for new starters – a significant change with substantial new starter take up and one of the most highly impactful means of tackling climate crisis.
BEST INTERNAL ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN
Winner: Trowers & Hamlins
The judges were impressed by the innovative way in which Trowers & Hamlins surveyed their staff in an engaging and far-reaching manner; they took the time to understand what people felt was important, they listened and they acted on it. Particularly impressive was the combination of their use of technology, how they achieved an enviable level of engagement across the firm, and they're clearly embedding their values in the performance criteria of their partners.
BEST SOCIAL MOBILITY INITIATIVE
Winner: Browne Jacobson
The Browne Jacobson FAIRE initiative was the most holistic, thorough and complete nomination, with clear starting and ending points, honestly addressing issues they faced as a firm and following through to a huge positive impact, demonstrated through overwhelming data.
BEST CSR INITIATIVE
Sponsored by: Innecto Reward Consulting
Winner: Ashurst
This is a very impressive, pioneering and multi-strand project by Ashurst, focused on modern slavery and rooted in the legacy of the original founders of the firm.
Highly Commended: a collaboration between CMS, DAC Beachcroft, Dentons, Herbert Smith Freehills, Linklaters, Morton Fraser, TLT, Winckworth Sherwood and Sainsbury's
EXCELLENCE IN DE&I
Winner: Goodwin
The judges were impressed that Goodwin took real-life, challenging situations which had occurred within the firm, to create bespoke training that was delivered to make a real difference. There was high engagement and very positive feedback across the firm. The Leadership Training programme will be critical in shaping the firm’s core principles.
Highly Commended: Collab Network (BDB Pitmans, Bird & Bird, Charles Russell Speechlys, Clyde & Co, Mills & Reeve, Pinsent Masons, RPC, Shoosmiths, Sharpe Pritchard and Taylor Wessing)
BEST EARLY TALENT RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN
Winner: CMS
The judges were impressed by CMS’ comprehensive series of engaging online events that made the firm more accessible and relatable to an audience who might not otherwise have access to the legal sector.
Highly Commended: Ashurst
MOST INNOVATIVE PEOPLE INITIATIVE
Sponsored by: The University of Law
Winner: Macfarlanes
The judges were impressed by the Macfarlanes Business Services Academy and the way it recognises the important contribution of business services professionals to the firm, enables them to reach their full potential and to have an even stronger contribution to the success of their firm.
BEST PEOPLE PROFESSIONAL
Sponsored by: Oakleaf Partnership
Winner: Thomas Hogan, Mishcon de Reya
The judges were impressed by Thomas’ proactivity, curiosity and enthusiasm; he clearly acts with initiative and positive creativity for the benefit of the Mishcon de Reya, and for graduates and apprentices in the firm and in the wider market.
RISING STAR
Winner: Curtis Greenidge, Travers Smith
The judges were impressed by the range of areas and topics on which Curtis was providing value and input in order to support evidence-based evaluation and decision making in critical HR areas. His management of the digital, in order to get to the key data, is HR gold dust, with real world impact.
Highly Commended: Emily Green, Trowers & Hamlins
BEST PEOPLE LEADER
Winner: Jonathan Agar, Birketts
The judges were particularly impressed by Jonathan Agar’s personal leadership style, his level of personal engagement and his very open communication style.
HR TEAM OF THE YEAR
Winner: Clyde & Co
The judges were impressed by the Clyde & Co team’s ability to deliver on the demands of a complex merger whilst also delivering business as usual. Such a project required an enormous contribution from the HR team and the judges recognised a number examples of best practice being applied.
Highly Commended: Burges Salmon
GRAND PRIX
Winner: Browne Jacobson
