Forsters named as a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2025
Forsters is delighted to have been recognised as a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility in the Social Mobility Employer Index.
This was our debut application for the Index, which is compiled by the Social Mobility Foundation and is a rigorous benchmarking and assessment tool measuring the steps employers are taking to ensure their workplace is open to talent from all social backgrounds.
140 organisations entered the Index this year and were assessed in eight areas: work with young people, attraction and university outreach, recruitment, routes into the employer, data collection, pay, progression and retention, culture and internal advocacy and external advocacy.
Our social mobility strategy is a key part of our overarching Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, aiming to break down barriers and widen access to the legal profession for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Highlights from the reporting year include:
- Announcing our first cohort of solicitor apprentices and expanding the number of apprentice roles within our business services teams
- Launching our ‘Count Me In’ D&I data collection initiative, including three socioeconomic data points
- Working in partnership with the Sutton Trust to increase our programmes’ accessibility by providing online work experience to students in underserved regions on the Pathways to Law programme
- Collaborating with the Social Mobility Foundation to run work experience placements for undergraduate university students actively pursuing a career in law
- Strengthening our connection with state schools within our local community, attending careers fairs and running career workshops
- Supporting young people to develop literacy skills through our Reading Scheme in collaboration with a local primary school
- Use of Rare’s contextual recruitment system
- Rolling out Rare’s Hemisphere anti-bias training firmwide
- Launching our Early Careers Social Mobility Bursary for future joiners and candidates in our application process who need support with expenses associated with applications and assessments
Our ranking reflects the progress we’ve made in developing our social mobility programme and gives us a clear direction to what comes next. We’re committed to building an inclusive, purpose-driven firm where everyone can thrive, and look forward to actioning the feedback given by the Social Mobility Foundation.
Read more about our social mobility work in our recently launched 24-25 Responsible Business review.
“This recognition is testament to Forsters’ commitment to improving access to the legal sector for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We actively encourage and embrace people’s differences so that every individual can flourish and succeed.” – Sara Branch, Partner and Social Mobility Network Co-lead
“We are delighted to have been recognised as a top 75 employer in the Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Index – especially given that this was our first year applying. The feedback we’ve received will be invaluable in continuing our efforts to push for greater social mobility.” – Miri Stickland, Head of Knowledge and Social Mobility Network Co-lead
