International law firm Osborne Clarke’s Bristol office has been championed as a diversity champion employer following its support for a scheme set up in the city to unlock potential and develop talent from under-represented communities.
Stepping Up aims to ensure a fair representation of Black, Asian, ethnic minority, disabled people and women in positions of leadership across the city. 
Now in its fourth year, it has supported 300 diverse leaders who have graduated or are due to graduate – with 170 securing new roles or setting up businesses.
The Stepping Up Excellence Awards showcase businesses in the city that have consistently backed the much-needed programme.
Osborne Clarke was acknowledged for playing a vital role in supporting Stepping Up since its inception.
Programme Director and architect of Stepping Up, Christine Bamford, said: “Osborne Clarke has supported Stepping Up’s Diversity Leadership programme since the very start, back in 2018.
“Truly, Stepping Up would not have happened without Osborne Clarke’s initial support of venues and mentors.”
The award was presented to Osborne Clarke partner Julian Hemming, a mentor on the programme, by Deputy Mayor of Bristol Cllr Asher Craig.
Julian said: “Stepping Up is an outstanding local programme that’s making great strides in Bristol. 
“It’s been a pleasure for myself and the rest of our team to take part, but also to see the impact Stepping Up has made over the last three years.
“Diversity and inclusion are essential elements of our business strategy. Promoting equality and developing a culture where all our people feel respected, treated fairly and are able to give their best makes sense for so many reasons from driving engagement to improving retention, and it leads to a better overall working culture as well.”
Cllr Craig, who is also cabinet member for children services, education and equalities, said that Stepping Up was one of the council’s key interventions in tackling inequality in Bristol and Osborne Clarke had shown real continuous commitment toward the programme.
“The firm’s contribution is invaluable to past and future cohort members who have taken up local and national leadership positions,” she added.
A hundred corporate mentors from across all sectors have offered their time to support a Stepping Up or Horumar Somali Woman participant.
Organisations from Bath, Gloucester and Gloucestershire have now joined the programme, creating a South West ecosystem of diverse leaders making a difference to the culture and economic growth or the region.
Pictured, from left: Julian Hemming, Cllr Asher Craig, Christine Bamford, and Osborne Clarke diversity and wellbeing manager Su Akgun. Photo by Harsha Parmar
