Social mobility
At Blake Morgan, we are committed to widening access to the legal profession and ensuring that talented individuals can succeed regardless of their background. Our Social Mobility workstream focuses on removing barriers to entry and progression, creating meaningful opportunities and helping individuals reach their full potential.
We recognise that social mobility remains a significant challenge within the legal sector, particularly for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds or without established networks. Our approach is centred on creating a more equitable and inclusive environment, where career opportunities are accessible and achievable for all.
Through partnerships, outreach activity and internal initiatives, we aim to inspire ambition, support career development and provide practical pathways into the profession. This includes supporting colleagues throughout their careers with Blake Morgan, as well as engaging with schools, colleges and universities within our regions to raise the ambitions of young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
By taking a proactive and collaborative approach, we are working to ensure that the legal profession better reflects the diverse communities it serves.
Main areas of focus
Opening doors
Opening Doors is Blake Morgan’s Social Mobility network which is made up of colleagues throughout our office network who have a passion for social mobility and widening access to the legal profession. They work to improve social mobility across Blake Morgan by helping to create a workplace where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. The group champions greater access to opportunities, supports initiatives that widen participation in the legal profession, and works collaboratively across the firm to remove barriers to attraction, progression and inclusion. Through awareness raising, education, community partnerships and colleague engagement, the network helps ensure talent is recognised and nurtured wherever it is found.
Widen access to legal careers
We are committed to widening access to legal careers through initiatives such as work experience, apprenticeships and employability programmes. This includes developing structured opportunities that introduce individuals to the profession and support them to take their first steps into a legal career.
Build connections and networking opportunities
We help colleagues and (through our partnerships) individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to build connections through mentoring, and networking opportunities. These initiatives help to raise aspirations, provide guidance and create meaningful pathways into the profession.
Confidence and community
We focus on building confidence and supporting long-term success by providing mentoring programmes, training, resources and a supportive environment. Through community engagement and collaboration with external organisations, we also aim to create lasting impact both within the firm and across the wider community.
Key contacts
Gemma Spiceley | Partner | Social Mobility Inclusion Champion
Social Mobility Inclusion Champion, leading the development of the workstream and driving initiatives to widen access to the legal profession and support individuals from under-represented backgrounds.
As a state educated, first generation graduate, Gemma is a firm believer that it is what you do when you arrive and not how you get there that defines a career. Her aim is that through our Social Mobility initiatives, Blake Morgan can inspire that belief in the next generation of aspiring legal professionals.
As a workstream we are actively identifying opportunities where we can improve diversity in recruitment and promotion at all levels and where we can work in partnership with organisations such as GROW Mentoring to promote access. Blake Morgan has a reputation of doing what it says when it comes to EDI and social mobility is an area where what we do can have a real impact on people’s lives.
Tanya Barrett | Legal Director | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Jasmine Castle-McKenzie | Trainee Solicitor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Lilly Henry | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Lilly’s route into the workplace wasn’t a straightforward one. She didn’t finish school and had to work hard to get her qualifications up to scratch in the years following, needing opportunities where she could find them to bulk up her CV. Lilly had help from contacts at apprenticeship providers who would find courses and options available to her with the skillset she had. She then managed to secure work experience at Blake Morgan which is where her career really began. After completing her work experience, Lilly secured a fixed term contract at the firm. She would later move into a full-time role in the Learning and Development team where the firm has since funded her L&D apprenticeship.
Having the support of course providers in the years she needed to bulk up her CV, being given opportunities to gain certificates in a range of skills is what got Lilly’s foot in the door – hard work, persistence and being able to then complete an apprenticeship is what kept her there.
That’s why Social Mobility is important to Lilly and why she wanted to join the workstream. She wants to play a part in ensuring we have opportunities that keep the door open to people who would struggle to get into the workplace otherwise.
Louise Howells | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Elaine Law | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Sue Lindop | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Rebecca Munday | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Sarah Price | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Kieran Sale | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Emily Shaw | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Kath Shimmin | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Julia Smith | Senior Learning and Development Advisor | Social Mobility Inclusion member
Partnerships and resources
GROW Mentoring – supporting mentoring partnerships that provide guidance, insight and career support for aspiring legal professionals.
2B Enterprising – works with businesses and schools to create opportunities and develop the entrepreneurial skills of young people.
Shaping Portsmouth – has a mission to make Portsmouth a number one city to invest, live, work and learn. Through partnerships with local businesses such as Blake Morgan, it supports education and skills development to encourage residents of Portsmouth of all ages to explore their future and improve their employability.
Moxie – Working Wardrobe – provides free work wear across Wales for those going for interviews and starting a new job, so that career aspirations are not restricted by lack of access to quality clothing.
Social Mobility Pledge – Blake Morgan has made the pledge to (i) work to reach out to schools or colleges to provide quality careers advice, enrichment experience and mentoring; (ii) provide structured work experience and apprenticeship opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds or circumstances; and (iii) work to adopt open employee recruitment practices which promote a level playing field for people from disadvantaged backgrounds or circumstances.
