International law firm Simmons & Simmons has today been ranked 57th in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2020 (SMEI), an improvement of 12 places on our 2019 ranking. The SMEI is the leading authority on employer best practice in the social mobility arena, demonstrating our commitment to social mobility in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Index was created by the Social Mobility Foundation in 2017 and ranks UK employers on the action they take to ensure they are actively progressing talent from all backgrounds. It highlights the employers who are doing the most to evolve how they find, recruit, and advance talented employees from different social class backgrounds.
Employers are assessed across seven key areas, including; their work with young people, talent attraction, recruitment and selection, data collection, progression, and advocacy. This year saw participation from 119 employers from 17 sectors, who collectively employ almost one million people in the UK.
Simmons & Simmons has been ranked in the SMEI for the work the firm has done to promote social mobility, ensuring that those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are given every opportunity to succeed. Highlights include:
- Two alumni from our award-winning Young Talent Programme have chosen to start their career at Simmons & Simmons;
- Working in partnership with SEO London and Aspiring Solicitors to increase the diversity of students on our vacation schemes;
- Launching our BreakThrough graduate recruitment diversity panel series, providing diverse role models for around 200 students from over 45 universities across the UK who are interested in a career in law.
Colin Passmore, senior partner, said “I am pleased that Simmons & Simmons have been recognised as a Top 75 Employer in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2020. We are committed to increasing social mobility at the firm through our efforts in recruitment, development and progression. We recognise that there is still a lot of work to be done in this area, and we strive to continue fostering an inclusive workplace environment in which all of our people can succeed.”
Sarah Atkinson, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, said: “I am delighted that Simmons & Simmons committed to entering the Index this year despite the challenges they have faced in the wake of the pandemic. Now more than ever, we need to see business play their part in the levelling up agenda.”