NEWS NOVEMBER 2019
Shepard and Wedderburn team
Shepherd and Wedderburn named star performer Kirstie Maclennan
Social mobility ranking for Brodies BRODIES LLP, has achieved a top 30 ranking in the latest Social Mobility Employer Index. Moving up 25 places to 28 from 53 last year, Brodies is the only independent Scottish law firm to be included in this year’s Index, which recognises UK employers which have taken the most action to improve social mobility in the workplace. The Index is the creation of the Social Mobility Foundation. It assesses employers on everything from the work they do with young people and apprenticeships through to their recruitment and selection processes. It also looks at how colleagues from less advantaged backgrounds progress within their organisations. Brodies was recognised for its outreach work with schools and leading the way as it moves to start targeting cold spots across Scotland - where young people wouldn’t ordinarily have access to quality work experience opportunities. Kirstie Maclennan, director of human resources at Brodies said: “We understand and appreciate the value that a diverse workforce can deliver for our clients and our firm. There is much more to do, and we recognise that we, and the wider legal profession, have a responsibility to improve access to the jobs we create.”
OPITO approval for COSL COSL Drilling Europe AS has become the 30th company to achieve OPITO Competence Management System (CMS) approval. The Norwegian contractor, which demonstrated and implemented a best practice CMS covering operations on one of its North Sea assets, achieved the accreditation in under four months.
SHEPHERD and Wedderburn was named Diversity Star Performer in the 250-1,000 employees category at The Herald & GenAnalytics Diversity Awards 2019. Now in their fourth year, the awards recognise companies, organisations and individuals, that demonstrate a strong commitment and track record of achievement in ensuring that everyone in society has the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions, aspirations and potential. The firm’s diversity and inclusion projects are led by its five focus groups which comprise colleagues from across the business. Yvonne Brady, Shepherd and Wedderburn’s hgead of diversity, development and inclusion, said: “This award is testament to the hard work of all our colleagues towards achieving a fully inclusive working environment. However, we know there is much more to do and are enthusiastic about meeting that challenge.”
Inspire seeks firewalkers LOCAL charity Inspire is seeking daring individuals and teams to sign up and walk across burning embers to help raise funds for people with learning disabilities and additional support needs in the North-east of Scotland. Inspire, based on Aberdeen’s Beach Boulevard, will host its’ annual fundraising firewalk event at the Queen’s Links on Tuesday, November 5, as part of the city council’s fireworks display. Andrew Reid, development manager at Inspire, said: “We’ve already got almost 40 people registered to take part this year. It’s an exciting challenge and all sponsorship raised goes towards our innovative range of services which make a real difference to the lives of the people we support in local communities.” As part of the firewalk, participants will take part in a preevent training session before tackling the fire lane and will then be able to watch the fireworks from the terrace of nearby Cafe Ahoy as well as enjoying a post event BBQ. 21.