Mishcon de Reya has been recognised as a Top 75 employer in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2023, achieving a final standing of 52 out of the 143 employers that participated.
The Index was launched in 2017 by the Social Mobility Foundation and is considered to be the authority on employer-led social mobility.
Employers in the top 75 are recognised as showing a "sustained commitment to accessing and progressing talent from all socio-economic backgrounds."
The Index provides feedback on the steps employers are taking to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds, including in areas such as an organisation's recruitment processes, engagement with educational institutions and data collection.
143 employers took part in the 2023 survey, from across 25 sectors.
Mishcon de Reya’s commitment to unlocking opportunity and driving a level playing field for all who wish to enter the legal sector is set out in the firm's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and Impact aims.
The firm works closely with organisations such as Rare Recruitment, Sutton Trust, Social Mobility Business Partnership and UpTree to improve access to opportunities for students, potential apprentices and graduates.
Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation, said:
"Taking action on social mobility is the right thing to do – it’s also the smart thing to do. By accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds, your organisation will benefit from better decision-making, higher productivity and engagement, and more innovative thinking. A focus on social mobility can help with wider EDI goals – and can engage people who have not previously felt part of the conversation.”
Edward Hughes-Power, Partner and Social Mobility Committee Lead at Mishcon de Reya, added:
“We are very proud to be ranked within the Top 75 Employers in this year's Social Mobility Employer Index. Social Mobility is a key area of focus in our EDI Strategy and we want everyone to achieve their potential, regardless of socio-economic background. It's vital that we continue to prioritise the removal of barriers that personal background, social identity and socio-economic circumstances create, and ensure that we recruit, retain and develop talent in a way that enables everyone to have the same opportunities for success.
We will continue to develop our Social Mobility strategy and implement the helpful recommendations put forward by the Social Mobility Foundation."
View the full Index here.