A commitment to promoting diversity and unlocking the potential within Bristol’s communities has earned a partner in the city office of international law firm Osborne Clarke a major accolade.
Employment lawyer Julian Hemming received the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity from a Stepping Up, the organisation aiming to develop talent while ensuring a fair representation of Black, Asian, ethnic minority, disabled people and women in positions of leadership. 
It has supported more than 300 diverse leaders who have graduated or are due to graduate, with 170 of them securing new roles or setting up their own businesses.
Julian has supported Stepping Up as a mentor since its inception in 2018 as one of 100-plus individuals from across all sectors who have given their time to support participants from Bristol as well as Gloucester, Gloucestershire and Bath.
He said: “I am humbled to be recognised for my contribution to diversity in the community with this award.
“It has been a pleasure to be involved and witness the impact of Stepping Up over the past years as we strive to tackle inequality in the South West.
“At Osborne Clarke, diversity and inclusion are integral to our business strategy. We understand the importance of promoting equality and are committed to developing a culture where all our people feel respected, treated fairly and are able to give their best.”
Julian, who joined Osborne Clarke as a partner in 1997 and has served on the firm’s executive board, was presented with the award by Stepping Up programme director Christine Bamford at the firm’s Temple Back office.
Christine added: “Julian has been an inclusion ally and ambassador for the Stepping Up diversity leadership programme – transforming the lives of so many.
“His commitment to mentoring embraced empathy and empowerment, which inspired his mentees to ‘step up’. We truly could not have launched Stepping Up without Julian’s personal support.”
Earlier this year Osborne Clarke, which employs more than 700 people in Bristol, was recognised as a diversity champion employer in Bristol City Council’s Stepping Up Excellence Awards.
As well as the support the firm provides externally, it is also has a number of internal learning and development programmes for employees.
Most recently it launched the OC Career Speaker Series, a unique and ambitious personal development and career growth initiative in areas such as building personal brand, empowering beliefs and growing presence.
Alongside the firm-wide sessions, a successful pilot programme was targeted at gender, ethnicity and business services teams that provided additional coaching and support.
The firm also has an established lawyer development programme to support its fee earners at key legal career milestones; one-to-one coaching focused on developing potential, transitioning to new roles and returning to work following parental or sabbatical leave; and a mentoring programme that pairs colleagues together to help develop ability, skills and confidence.
Pictured: Julian Hemming with Stepping Up programme director Christine Bamford, left, and Osborne Clarke inclusion and CSR administrator Jennifer Gilbert
