Pinsent Masons is a Top 50 employer for social mobility

The Index is a joint initiative between the Social Mobility Foundation and Social Mobility Commission, in partnership with the City of London Corporation. It ranks Britain’s employers for the first time on the actions they are taking to ensure they are open to accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds and showcases progress towards improving social mobility in the workplace.

The aim of the Index is to encourage firms to share their initiatives and progress in becoming more inclusive employers and to reveal which sectors and companies are taking the issue of social mobility most seriously.

Research has consistently shown that people from more affluent backgrounds take a disproportionate number of the best jobs and that employers tend to disproportionately employ graduates who went to private schools and elite universities.

Pinsent Masons has been ranked 15th in the Index for the work it has taken to tackle this and enable those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to succeed.

Deborah McCormack, Head of Recruitment & Graduate Development, commented: "Pinsent Masons is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we already have a strong track record in relation to LGBT and gender diversity, winning recognition as a top LGBT and flexible, family friendly employer. We want to replicate the success we’ve had with those areas right across the full diversity spectrum.

"Seeking talent from the widest pool is a strategic objective. Actively looking for and supporting candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds is a key area of focus when we consider our talent pipeline. Having a rich & diverse workforce benefits everyone, underpinning a culture where people can learn from each other and truly realise potential. We are delighted to have been ranked within the top 50 this year. This gives our business a great platform to build on as we take our social mobility strategy forward."

Firms from 17 sectors, who collectively employ just under one million people, submitted entries about their practices and procedures in areas such as work with young people, recruitment, selection and progression. The final rankings were decided by a respected panel of experts.

David Johnston, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, said: “All the Top 50 firms in the Social Mobility Employer Index should be applauded for the progress they are making towards ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to get in and get on – regardless of their background. They should be congratulated both for having prioritised social mobility and for being prepared to have their processes and practices independently scrutiinised."