Beyond Backgrounds
Beyond Backgrounds is our internal social mobility network. The network’s mission is to foster an inclusive and supportive workplace culture for individuals from less privileged and more diverse social backgrounds in all that we do, from how we recruit to how we promote. We want to ensure that, irrespective of social background, each and every individual at Bird & Bird feels valued and included, and that they can flourish and develop at Bird & Bird, as their authentic self.
Beyond Backgrounds network is centred around three key pillars:
- Recruitment & Outreach: improving access to the profession for those from less privileged and more diverse social backgrounds.
- Retention & Progression: ensuring that individuals from less privileged and more diverse social backgrounds want to stay at the firm and are able to progress and occupy leadership positions at the firm.
- Shining a spotlight: raising awareness and increasing engagement in relation to all matters social mobility-related.
Our network chair and sponsor
I’m really excited about the launch of the Beyond Backgrounds network. The network gives us the opportunity to shine a light on the important subject of social mobility, to create a community of individuals passionate about this issue, and to drive forward the firm’s efforts to recruit and retain individuals from less privileged and more diverse backgrounds.
Lereesa Easterbrook Senior Associate
I’m proud to support the Beyond Backgrounds network. We want to be attractive and accessible to individuals from all backgrounds and tackle any barriers to entry, while also focusing on retaining and progressing talent into leadership positions. We aim to raise awareness on pertinent issues around social mobility by engaging people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Gavin Punia Partner