A Record 71% Of Promotions in 2020 Are Women

A national law firm has promoted 84 colleagues to associate and senior associate roles, with a record number of women recognised in 2020 for their achievements.

Irwin Mitchell has begun the new decade by promoting 51 colleagues to associate and a further 33 to senior associate status across the firm’s legal, financial and group services teams.

The firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion was further reinforced with a record 71% of the promotions comprised of female employees.

Irwin Mitchell is already one of the top law firms in the UK for gender diversity, with 65% of its lawyers being female, the highest proportion in the UK.

The promotions include 68 colleagues on the legal side of the business, while the 11 non-lawyers come from within the HR, Finance and Marketing departments. A further five work in the asset management and financial planning team or Ascent a debt recovery business in the Irwin Mitchell group.

The figures are made up of people from 11 of the firm’s regional offices, together with staff who work from home, highlighting the growth and popularity of flexible working options.

Expert Opinion

“The announcement of our associate and senior associate promotions is always a major milestone for the business and the individuals concerned.

Associate promotions recognise the leaders in the firm and flag their expertise to colleagues and clients alike, so are not made lightly. These new roles reward achievement, while recognising the leaders of tomorrow and those best placed to support colleagues in their own development.

With 60 female colleagues recognised for their efforts this year our commitment to gender diversity remains clear, as does the strength in depth on display across all our departments.

Our people are vital to the success of the business and promotion naturally brings a step up in terms of responsibility and as such, is a significant career step all involved can be proud of.

I congratulate all those involved and look forward to seeing their continued progress throughout 2020 and beyond.” Andrew Tucker - CEO

The promotions:

In Business Legal Services the promotions are: Anamika Pandey, Andrew Tinker, Ben Gale (Corporate), Vanessa Horn, Vicki Rounding (Real Estate) Sarah Burke, Siobhan Mulrey (Employment) Corinne Day, Stephanie Reeves and Natasha Guthrie (Litigation).

The Group Services promotions include: Rob Reed (Operations), Colin Reaney, Diane Calise (Finance), Lynne Carrick-Leary, Kate Rawlings (Group Sales and Marketing), Maria Rovira-Martin, Brooke Atherton, Wyatt Matthews, Sophie Mawdsley (HR), Chris Ford and Manesh Sharda (IT).

The Personal Injury promotions are: Jodie Davis, Kathryn Bell, Madeleine Smith, Paula Walkden, Kate Mason, Steven Farmer, Nathan Cameron, Sally Sargesson (Costs) Nick Woods, Nicola Handley, Emma Bell, Edward Joy, Emma Crowther (Workplace Injury), Toni Knott, Michaela Morris, Peter Lorence, Chris Noblett, Stephanie Edwards, Ruth Johnson Anna Pask (Serious Injury), Tania Harrison, Thomas Gough, Sarah Sharples, Samuel Hill, Ross McWilliams, Chris Hurlston, Gurpreet Lalli, Helen Royles-Jones, Elizabeth Paterson Nicola Ashton, Shahin Master, Emma Wagstaff, Alexandra Winch, Eleanor Giblin (Medical Negligence), Victoria Ward, Louisa Chadwick and Will Forsdike (Court of Protection).

Caroline Barrett, Helen Smith, Katy Cowans, James Betts, Saoirse de Bont were all promoted in the Public Law team. 

In Private Wealth the following were promoted: Helen Revill, Melanie Stanney, Gemma Fenton, Emma Hubbard, Hollie Orgee (Family Law), Louise Ward (Private Wealth),Hayley Bruce, Sarah Martin, Louise Oliver (Residential Property), Nicola Turner, Chris Ellison Thomas Pape Tanya Wadeson, Amy Comins (Tax, Trust & Estates) Hannah Worricker, Heather Roberts (Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes).

Bronwen Lancaster, Philip Goldthorp, Ayshea Furlong, Josh Pape in the asset management team were promoted along with Amanda Goral at Ascent.