Herbert Smith Freehills launches 3-year programme to build career pathways for Black talent in the UK

Herbert Smith Freehills is today launching a new programme designed to build structured career pathways for Black trainees and associates in London. 

Developed in collaboration with the firm's Black Employee Network, Diversity & Inclusion and Learning & Development team, the new programme has been created to enhance career opportunities and enable lawyers to control their career pathway through targeted skills development. It will be delivered through a partnership with the legal sector specialised inclusion consultancy and headhunting firm, extense.

The programme forms part of Herbert Smith Freehills' 10 Actions for Change – a global set of commitments aimed at improving the representation, and experience, of Black, First Nations, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues throughout the firm.  

Led by extense, delegates will learn practical skills based on insights from ‘The 1% Study’* outlining key contributing factors to help individuals meet their career goals. As part of the programme, a series of focused workshops for supervisors and mentoring partners will also be run.

Participants will also have access to a coach to help implement learnings from the programme and mentors will receive ongoing training to ensure they are offering the most appropriate support.

Paul Lewis, partner and lead sponsor of the new programme at Herbert Smith Freehills, says: "Creating an environment in which everyone has an opportunity to thrive in their career is core to life at HSF. By creating more opportunities, widening discussion and understanding about career aims and aspirations and cultivating a growth mindset, we are better able to support individuals develop their careers and ensure clients benefit from diverse ways of approaching the issues with which they are concerned."

Tadé Bola, co-chair of the firm's Black Employee Network, adds: "The data is clear—supporting Black Talent across the legal profession is essential because there are disparities and challenges faced by Black professionals. I am proud that the firm is implementing some of the evidence-based actions highlighted by the ‘The 1% Study’ in such a meaningful way. People are at the centre of life at HSF, and I am excited to see the positive impact this programme will have on both our Black Talent and our firm as a whole."

extense’s managing director, Julian Richard, says: "we are proud to support this landmark programme of equitable support to accelerate the retention and progression of Black talent at Herbert Smith Freehills. In ‘The 1% Study’, we encouraged firms to be bold with this necessary step change. It is great to see the firm rise to the challenge and yield the benefits from nurturing and proactively including Black talent."