International law firm Gowling WLG's human resources (HR) team have been successful in three categories in the People in Law Awards 2021. The awards were held virtually on Thursday 10 June 2021 and recognised the very best people achievements across the legal industry.
The team was successful and won the Excellence in Equality & Inclusion category as well as the Rising Star Award category, which went to HR apprentice Sophia Cox.
In winning the Excellence in Equality & Inclusion category a big thank you goes to diversity and inclusion director, Lorna Gavin, Interim Head of Diversity and Inclusion David Peason, diversity and inclusion manager Emma Dennis, and the Embrace network co-chairs principal associate, Nisha Shukla and business development executive, Taja Beckford-Daley as the Black Lives Matter Action Plan was a key part of the award. The judges said, "The judges were impressed by Gowling WLG's very structured, broad engagement – which gave all of their people a voice. They understood the importance of meaningful interaction, with action plans driven out of that interaction, to create significant change across the firm".
Sophia Cox's success in the Rising Star Award category recognised her contribution to Early Talent and the virtual vacation scheme. The presenters focused on the breadth and depth of her contribution for an apprentice in the team. The judges said "Judges were impressed by the fact that Sophia Cox, through sheer determination, persistence, innovation and a consistently personal touch, has had a direct impact disproportionate to her level of experience and seniority, on engagement and diversity in the Early Talent arena. Sophia embodies the spirit of the Rising star category and is a great advertisement for the power of apprenticeship".
The team was also highly commended for their graduate recruitment campaign which is huge credit to head of resourcing, Chloe Lloyd and senior personal assistant, Lucy Ponsford as well Sophia Cox. The judges said, "The judges were impressed by the authenticity and personalisation of the approach adopted by Gowling WLG on an obviously tight budget".