UWE Futures, the talent programme offering work experience and mentoring to UWE Bristol global majority students, is entering its second year by expanding to include more legal firms along with a leading organisation in Bristol’s creative sector.
Founding law firms Osborne Clarke, Burges Salmon, Clarke Willmott and Simmons & Simmons have been joined by RPC and Foot Anstey on the scheme, which aims to improve diversity in industries in Bristol and create a new talent pipeline. 
Meanwhile TV and film production company Plimsoll Productions, the world’s largest independent producer of natural history programmes, has also signed up to the initiative, with UWE Bristol joining as a participating organisation offering paid work experience opportunities in the university’s HR and finance departments.
In UWE Futures’ first year, UWE Bristol final-year global majority undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds were able to take part in work experience and mentoring programmes
This year, it has expanded to provide nearly 30 placements across eight businesses, offering one-week paid work experience. Students will be placed in business teams such as HR, marketing, finance and risk.
Participants will also have the opportunity to secure an extended internship or be offered a guaranteed interview for suitable roles.
UWE Bristol College of Business and Law deputy head Sarah Grabham said: “After the success of last year’s pilot, we are really pleased that more organisations in Bristol have joined the UWE Futures programme, meaning more of our students have the opportunity to put their academic studies into practice and gain invaluable work experience.
“We have also extended our support to the scheme by joining it as a participating organisation offering paid internships within the university.
“UWE Futures plays a key role across the university in supporting our global majority students through their academic journey to achieve their ambitions and realise their career aspirations.”
Osborne Clarke partner and chief operating officer Tim Simmonds, who is an independent member of the university’s board of governors, said it was fantastic to build on the success of the pilot UWE Futures programme to broaden opportunities for talented students looking to pursue careers in professional services.
“Last year, we were delighted to welcome UWE Futures programme alumnus Fabia for an extended internship in our responsible business and change and transformation teams,” he added.
“This achievement highlights the real impact this initiative can have for all participants.”
Burges Salmon chief people officer Alice Bretherton said the firm was thrilled to once again be a part of UWE Futures, building on its successful collaboration with UWE and other law firms in Bristol.
“The feedback we had from our 2024 student cohort – Jeyar, Jeevan and Hani – as well as from our people who also hugely benefitted from the nine-month long mentoring programme, has been extremely positive,” she said.
“We’re thrilled to have further expanded the scheme this year and to be welcoming five students this week into our business teams.
“Diversity of all kinds brings immense benefits and UWE Futures is one of the many initiatives we’ve pioneered and championed as part of our strategy to reach an even wider talent pool, helping to dismantle barriers so underrepresented groups have the opportunities to get a foot in the door and gain valuable experience at top law firms across the city.”
Burges Salmon, RPC and Simmons & Simmons will provide skills development sessions for all participants and the week will culminate in a celebration event hosted by Osborne Clarke.
RPC partner and co-lead of its social mobility community James Wickes said the firm was proud to support initiatives such as UWE Futures, which aligned with its commitment to improving social mobility and increasing diversity within the legal profession.
“Programmes like this are vital in creating pathways for talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to enter the legal and professional services sectors,” he added.
“Through mentoring, paid work experience and ongoing support, UWE Futures is helping to break down barriers and build a more representative and inclusive Bristol legal community.
“We look forward to seeing the impact this programme has on the next generation of legal professionals and are honoured to be part of this important collaboration.”
Plimsoll Productions was founded in Bristol in 2013 and is now majority owned by ITV.
Its programmes have included Tiny World and Giant World for Apple+; Hostile Planet and Supernatural Planet for Disney; Night on Earth and Animal for Netflix and Channel 4’s Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker.
Plimsoll talent manager Lilymay Rice said: “We are thrilled to support the UWE Futures programme.
“At Plimsoll we are always looking for opportunities to welcome new talent into our organisation, and UWE Futures aligns with our determination to help make the television industry a more inclusive place.”
photo: UWE Futures interns at Osborne Clarke, left to right: Celina Tomas, Cecilia Kaas, Ilwad Abdi, Mark-Antony Sinclair-Elechi, Elijah Gassmaan, Jill Akitela Mzee, Grace Ngathe, Navjyot Khalsa
