women solicitors

Christina Blacklaws’ guest blog about her portfolio career part 1

March 18, 2020 By // by Rachel Brushfield

This is a 2-part blog for Energise – The Talent Liberation Company by Christina Blacklaws. This is part 1.

Biog

Christina studied Jurisprudence at Oxford and qualified as a solicitor in 1991. She now runs her own consultancy business advising domestic and international law firms and legal businesses, speaking globally and holding a number of non-executive directorships. She holds a range of public appointments including chairing both the LawTech Delivery Panel for the Ministry of Justice and Innovate UK’s Next Generation Services Advisory Board and sits on the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Support Advisory Group. She is an advisory board member for Elevate, 20-First and Thompson Reuter’s Women in Leadership in Law programme.

Christina is the Simon Professional and Industrial Fellow at the Alliance Manchester Business School. Christina was President of the Law Society of England and Wales until July 2019 and continues to represent the Women Lawyers Division on Council and the UK on the International Bar Association Council.

She is passionate about diversity and inclusion, technology and access to justice and uses every opportunity to advocate and progress positive change in these areas. Christina is a multi-award-winning published author, lecturer and frequent media commentator.

The rest of this guest blog is in Christina’s own words.

What are the components of your portfolio career e.g. study, paid freelance work, part time job, volunteering etc.?

I have a wide variety of roles, many voluntary, including a lot of engagement with universities, speaking at events, my Law Society and government roles.

My paid roles include 4 non-executive directorships with 3 law firms and one LawTech business. In addition, I undertake paid speaking events globally and provide ad hoc advice and training to law firms and legal businesses around the world.

How did your portfolio career come about?

When I finished as President of the Law Society in July 2019, I decided I wanted to maintain my independence and the wonderful variety of different things I had become involved in, during my presidency, so a portfolio career seemed an obvious choice!

When people ask you ‘what do you do?’ – what do you reply?

Lots of different things! I am a NED, chair, speaker, campaigner and thinker.

To what extent did your portfolio career happen by chance/luck and to what extent was it planned?

It’s rare, in my experience, to know when your job will finish from the moment you start it (the presidency of the Law Society is for 1 year), and this was the case with the Law Society. It gave me plenty of opportunity and time to think about what I wanted to do next, so I did plan the shape of my current career.

Having said that, I am fortunate in that interesting and unsought opportunities come my way on a regular basis so there is also a good degree of ‘happenstance’.

Watch out for part 2 of Christina Blacklaws’ guest blog about her portfolio career, including 5 tips for aspiring portfolio careerists.

More

Christina’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinablacklaws/

Our book for the Law Society ‘Career management for lawyers. Practical strategies to plan your next chapter’ is available now in the on-line book shop: https://bookshop.lawsociety.org.uk/p/career-management-for-lawyers-practi-paperback/

Interested in a portfolio career for yourself?

E mail us to arrange your free 20-minute consultation about whether a portfolio career is right for you: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/

Funke Abimbola’s Portfolio Career – the sequel part 2

February 13, 2017 By // by Rachel Brushfield

This is a 2 part guest blog for Energise by Funke Abimbola about her portfolio career. This is part 2.

Funke Abimbola is a multi-award winning Lawyer/TEDx Speaker/TV contributor/Diversity Leader/Patron/Board member and proud mother. She is currently General Counsel and Head of Financial Compliance at Roche UK.

To read part 1 of this guest blog, please click on this link.

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/funke-abimbolas-portfolio-career-sequel-part-1/

How did any change come about?

I made a conscious decision to say “yes” to as many opportunities as possible in 2016, especially where I was taken outside my comfort zone. Although I was unbelievably busy in 2016, the year led to unparalleled opportunities not only for me but for countless others within my sphere of influence.

What is the significance of this change for you?

By saying “yes” to everything, I am in a much better place to recognise my boundaries and to know what I need to prioritise during 2017. Importantly, I now know what to say “no” to going forwards without feeling guilty in saying “no”! Last year was another year of development and key learnings for me and my team.

What next for you in 2017?

I started 2017 with another promotion – from 1^st January, my role at Roche expanded to include heading up our financial compliance function. As General Counsel & Head of Financial Compliance, I continue to lead on legal and corporate compliance for the Roche UK pharmaceutical business, sitting on several senior leadership teams and providing legal support in the UK, Ireland, Malta and Gibraltar. In addition, I have also gained responsibility for all financial compliance matters for the UK pharmaceutical business including overseeing and leading on internal financial audits, internal financial testing (ICFR) and other financial controls that maintain the integrity of the organisation’s financial systems. This is a first within our organisation so a key priority for me is to embed my expanded team and to ensure that we all continue to develop together.

In terms of my external, voluntary diversity work, 2017 has started on a very promising note. I was listed in the law section of Debretts 500 (together with Supreme Court President, Lord Neuberger, Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, and others) as being one of the most influential people in Britain because of the impact of my diversity work within the legal profession. In January, I took part in my first panel discussion event as Patron of UCLU’s Leadership and Management Society. The discussion was called “How to embrace your diversity and lead’ and I was joined on the panel by a number of colleagues and friends in senior leadership roles. Collectively, we shared our wisdom and experience with the students and other attendees. The event was a huge success and I continue to receive inspirational messages from those who attended, thanking us for our contributions and the impact we made.

I have been interviewed for a book being published by Harper Collins in Spring 2018. Called ‘Slay in your lane’, the book will be a guide to life for black British women. It was a real honour to be approached as one of the black women being interviewed for this ground-breaking publication. Others being interviewed include actress Thandie Newton, GQ publisher Vanessa Kingori MBE and Karen Blackett OBE, Chairwoman of MediaCom.

International Women’s Month (March) is always really busy for me and this year is no different. I have a range of engagements in my diary including delivering a keynote speech at my alma mater, Newcastle Law School, as part of the Inspirational Women in Law project and the 2017 Freedom of the City celebrations marking 50 years since Martin Luther King was given an honourary degree by Newcastle University. I am also partnering with Speakers4Schools and INTO University and will be speaking to a group of school students about my career journey, providing mentoring and work experience opportunities to them. I will be interviewing a high profile speaker to mark International Women’s Day itself in my capacity as an advisory board member of Women in Law London, a large network supporting the progression of women lawyers in the UK. I am speaking at the Solid Woman conference at the British Council as part of an initiative to empower and upskill women from a minority ethnic background. Another highlight in March will be speaking to a large group of school children from a BAME background at the House of Commons, providing guidance and advice about their future career options.

In May, I will be part of a panel of senior leaders at WeAreTheCity’s first ever leadership conference in May called WeAreFutureLeaders. Founded in 2008 by Vanessa Vallely, WeAreTheCity is a free, centralised hub for professional women who want to progress in their careers, enhance their skills and build their networks. WeAreTheCity has 42,000 members, 80% of whom are professional women. WeAreFutureLeaders will be held at Simmons and Simmons, a leading international law firm. The aim of the conference is to equip its female attendees with the skills they need to progress to leadership positions. I am looking forward to being part of the panel, including providing speed mentoring to attendees.

Later on this year, I will be judging the Inclusive Network Awards and This Is Me Awesome 100 nominations, recognising inspiring individuals who have given back and made their mark in our community. I am also one of the judges for the third We are the City Rising Star awards, a unique awards programme that recognises the pipeline of female talent across a range of industries.

Throughout 2017, I will continue to appear on BBC 1 as part of the world news review team, providing expert commentary on topical news items. In addition, I am being considered for another TEDx talk taking place this summer.

Yet to be scheduled is an important meeting at number 10 Downing Street. Suffice to say that the Prime Minister and I are struggling to align our diaries at present but we will get there!

Anything else you would like to add?

Whilst 2016 was, undoubtedly, a year of tremendous successes for me, it is also important to add that I made my fair share of mistakes last year too. Learning from mistakes is an essential part of being a leader and there were some key learnings for me throughout the year. I feel empowered to improve even more during 2017 and remain committed to increasing my influence and impact in the process.

The final thing to mention is that my teenaged son signed up to UN Women’s HeforShe campaign in 2016. He had noticed that the girls in his class were very capable but lacked confidence and did not always put their hands up in lessons, even when they knew the answer. He has committed to empowering the girls and supporting their confidence, quite remarkable for a teenager. I really hope that more male gender champions are encouraged and inspired to follow his example!

Funke’s LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/funkeabimbola

Follow Funke on Twitter @diversitychamp1

https://twitter.com/DiversityChamp1

Interested in a portfolio career? Download your free report Discover Portfolio Careers:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/who-has-portfolio-careers/

https://twitter.com/talentliberator

Nicola Manning’s portfolio career part 2 of 2

September 29, 2016 By // by Rachel Brushfield

nicola-manning

This is part 2 of a 2 part guest blog by Nicola Manning.

Here is the link to part 1 in case you missed it.

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/nicola-mannings-portfolio-career/

How has your portfolio career changed over time?

I’ve only been working part time at McMillan Williams since last year so it’s early days as far as my portfolio career is concerned, but I’ve certainly benefited from part time working to enable me to devote time to the Guild of Entrepreneurs in its own start-up phase which has been a fantastic opportunity.

When people ask you ‘what do you do?’ – what do you reply?

It depends I suppose, on how they have met me and which career emphasis feels more appropriate at that juncture – and how much time they have to hear the “full works concert” I guess!

To what extent did your portfolio career happen by chance/luck and to what extent was it planned?

Not planned (by me) at all but I believe strongly in destiny and I would simply say that I rose to meet my destiny (not always the straightest or most comfortable path) as various life events were placed in my path for me either to seize or to turn away from and it’s turned out all right!

What do you most love about having a portfolio career?

Variety! I am and always have been hugely active and a multi-tasker, so it is just playing to my strengths I guess!

What are the challenges of having a portfolio career?

Having enough hours in the day to do everything sometimes. I’m often replying to emails at 5am or midnight! But it usually works out OK.

Who or what helps you to manage your portfolio career?

No-one but me but I’m pretty well organised with my time after having brought up 5 children and ran compliance across what was latterly 17 separate office locations.

How do you approach marketing your portfolio career?

It’s more about marketing me as the brand I think, and I find that people will approach me if they feel that there is something I can do to add value to their own project or initiative.

What if any, is the personal brand used for your portfolio career?

See above.

What skills/experience/qualities does someone need to have a portfolio career?

Experience in running and managing businesses (especially being part of the senior management team at MW during its massive expansion and change programme from 2008-2014) and my life experiences good and bad, have helped shape my own career hugely.

What advice would you give to someone considering a portfolio career?

Use every opportunity to make a difference somewhere! Not always easy/possible when you are stuck in an employment situation and possibly not able to reach your true potential as a result. You will know when the time is right for you.

What benefits do portfolio careers bring specifically to women and mothers, rather than to men?

Flexibility outside the restraints of 9-5 (if you’re lucky) office work but it ought to work just as efficiently for men too!

What are your top 5 tips to successfully manage a portfolio career?

Try not to compartmentalise your different roles too much or you may miss things that have the potential to join up activities and projects, with others.

Keep your energy and enthusiasm alive for all that you are doing and if you lose that in any area, you probably need to find a different project or role.

Likewise, don’t focus too much on one project or role to the detriment of the others.

Aim for a “bigger picture” involvement rather than overtly focused on detail otherwise it’s probably too weighted and not suitable as part of a portfolio anyway.

Always look for opportunities wherever you go and whomever you meet.

More

View Nicola Manning’s LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamanning

Interested in a portfolio career?

Want to create your own portfolio career? Click on this link:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/

Download your free report ‘Discover portfolio careers’:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/who-has-portfolio-careers/

Download your free report ‘Pain free career change’:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/testimonials/

Unsure what your transferable skills are, download your free report ‘Skills’ from this web page:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/what-is-a-portfolio-career/

Read more guest bloggers accounts of their portfolio career:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/blog/

Woman solicitor interested in a portfolio career?

Visit our web site specifically for women solicitors LLClub:

http://www.llclub.org/

Nicola Manning’s portfolio career – part 1 of 2

September 29, 2016 By // by Rachel Brushfield

nicola-manning

This is part 1 of a 2 part guest blog by Nicola Manning about her portfolio career. This is part 1.

What are the components of your portfolio career e.g. study, paid freelance work, part time job, volunteering etc.)

I work two days per week as Chargé d’affaires (an ambassadorial and project specific role) for busy and successful law firm McMillan Williams Solicitors Limited (I was formerly its Chief Professional Officer and Head of Risk and Compliance for 12 years). Within my work for MWSL I also sit on the Law Society Council; the Society’s Legal Affairs and Policy Board, and its Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee so am actively involved in professional strategy and policy on a number of levels. I am currently in my second (of 4 year terms) term of office as a Council member.

I’ve been the appointed Court of Protection/Office for the Public Guardian Deputy to over 100 patients who are unable to manage their own affairs for the past 7 years. I am currently working with a care provider to look at rolling out a nationwide package of financial and estate planning in-house.

I also work with legal risk and compliance and PII companies on a consultancy basis ad hoc, to assist practices to get prepared for Lexcel accreditation and also to give advice about enhancing their diversity and CSR practices to maximise business development opportunities.

I am the CEO and majority shareholder of a trading company in Ghana, West Africa, trading in our own leading brands of sanitary towels and nappies which are imported from China to Africa. Within that role, I am also involved in a charitable project with Breast Care International in Ghana, to whom my company donates funds, and we are working with BCI to raise further funds to provide for all secondary school pupils (male and female) to be educated to raise awareness and bust (pardon the pun) cultural myths about breast cancer to break the country’s cycle of fear and ignorance across an entire generation.

I am actively looking to expand our trading to other African territories and also looking at some environmental based projects in Africa and in UK.

I am a Founder member and Court Assistant at the Guild of Entrepreneurs, one of the City of London’s newest Guilds and an aspirant Livery company. The Guild Court is equivalent to its Board of Directors and I am actively involved in its Education and Outreach, and Membership committees. This is a volunteer role.

I am currently working on several potential new business projects through my interaction with the Guild. I love joining things and people up!

I am a dual- qualified Usui Rei-ki and Karuna ® Rei-ki practitioner and a Master Teacher in both, qualified to attune others and to run courses to bring this wonderful healing energy to the attention of interested others. I am also a qualified Munay-Ki practitioner and teacher (this is another form of energy healing) and I work with crystals for healing purposes as well.

I am a licensed psychometric analyst (Success Dynamics, Level 1)

How did your portfolio career come about?

After 12 years at the compliance and management coalface within MW, and having been forced to make a decision in 2011 (on the sudden death of my ex partner abroad and a threat from a third party to take illegal control of my company) to go back and fight to keep it, once I had it back in 2012, I then decided over the next 12 months, to devote more time to running it and exploring other business opportunities arising, rather than working solely for one employer and running myself ragged trying to run a company abroad, still work full time as a lawyer and also bring up a young child on my own.

Part 2 of Nicola Manning’s guest blog about her portfolio career coming soon.

More

View Nicola Manning’s LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamanning

Interested in a portfolio career?

Want to create your own portfolio career? Click on this link:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/

Download your free report ‘Discover portfolio careers’:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/who-has-portfolio-careers/

Download your free report ‘Pain free career change’:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/testimonials/

Unsure what your transferable skills are, download your free report ‘Skills’ from this web page:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/what-is-a-portfolio-career/

Read more guest bloggers accounts of their portfolio career:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/blog/

Woman solicitor interested in a portfolio career?

Visit our web site specifically for women solicitors Energise LLClub:

http://www.llclub.org/

Guest blog: Rachael Williams

May 8, 2016 By // by DigitalJenIPC

This is a guest blog by our client Rachael Williams. Rachael is currently Senior Legal Counsel (secondment) at The Financial Ombudsman Service. Her career has included private practice with magic circle firm Eversheds, regional law firms, the Bar, adjudication and lecturer/tutor. I met Rachael who attended The Law Society Returners course in 2014 when I did a session on career tips and trends in the legal profession.

Seeking a successful career breakthrough?

The learning curve I have experienced since October 2014 has been remarkable and I wish to share it with you. In fact, it has been less like a curve, and rather more like a bumpy line with a general overall direction and feel of ‘going up’, combined with the inevitable slump associated with the downs. I signed up to the Law Society Returner to Work course at Eynsham Hall in 2014. This was the start of the brave new world of venturing out, and confidence building – of CV redesigning and contact making – of interviews and new jobs, experimentation, disappointment and success.

I continue to remark to others that the sheer wealth of talent over that 2014 weekend was stunning, and if all present simply had combined their talents and made one large organisation then it would have been unstoppable. For those reading and thinking of unlocking your potential I highly recommend a few things:

5 tips for a successful return

1) Take that step – what do you have to lose?

2) Listen to the recommended courses of action and do them even if you are not sure that they suit you – they probably will

3) Unlock your potential with your personal talent liberator – the investment in Eynsham Hall is a start – going on to engage a career coach is a great additional step as the return on your investment can be many thousand fold

4) Once you have decided to do one or all of the above, then decisively carve out time for yourself – create that space to push back the endless jobs or other commitments that have stopped you up to now

5) In that newly carved space, write, read, research, experiment

I did get a job and yet I had undersold myself. It was a good job which was busy, but not what I had been trained to do. However, I could see the positives. I was mixing with younger people from whom we can learn a great deal; I was re-learning PC know-how; I was focusing on time-management & life with targets; I was engaged in team building and making contacts; I was re-educating myself on how to achieve the life-work balance. I made space to plan the next career step and literally earned while I learned.

Then, with my career coach, Rachel Brushfield, founder of Energise LLClub, I had a new CV prepared so that when the opportunity came along I was ready. I made myself visible and ensured that people in my workplace knew that I was better qualified than my job-title suggested. I applied for internal promotions and volunteered for additional duties on purpose just to get my face, name and CV around the building and in front of the people who made decisions.

It worked. The opportunity I had hoped for arose – maternity cover in the legal department. Recently I started in a senior role doing what I was trained to do with a salary to match.

In summary; make time to think about your career, seek the input of a career transition expert, prepare, prepare, prepare and believe in yourself. Good luck.

Thanks to Rachael Williams for making the time to write a guest blog for us.

Rachael’s testimonial following her career coaching with us:

“Rachel Brushfield is a calm and perceptive person who introduces you to your own talent and abilities and then helps you to utilise them to an effective end. And then, when success arrives, Rachel continues to guide and promote you in her own distinct way. She is marvellous and has been a return on my investment a thousand fold.”

Rachael Williams.

What next?

Why not book your no-obligation 20 minute telephone consultation with Rachel Brushfield to explore how she can help support you in your career? Click on this link now:

http://www.llclub.org/contact-us/

Guest blog part 1: Miranda Brawn

May 8, 2016 By // by DigitalJenIPC

This is a two part guest blog by Miranda Brawn. This is part 1.

Miranda Brawn is a multi-award winning legal business and diversity leader who is hailed as a trailblazer. A few awards include being named Top 30 most inspirational women by Brummel magazine, featured on the City AM’s Women in the City & Speakers 100 Powerlists, BE Mogul Winner and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She is also a Future Tech Girl Role Model and on the Fem Tech Leader Global List for influential women within Technology. She has been nominated for a number of awards in 2016.

With a background as an investment banker and a barrister, Miranda has spent her career at some of the most prestigious global institutions such as Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase Bank. Miranda’s primary role is to manage the company’s legal risk across Europe for the derivatives, regulatory and securities financing business within an investment bank. Her previous roles have included sales trader and head of legal documentation.

With over 15 years’ experience in philanthropy, community and diversity work, Miranda wanted to go the extra mile and founded the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation. This provides future BAME leaders (including females) with opportunities and incentives via scholarships, diversity lectures, work experience and mentoring. This includes a partnership with The Prince’s Trust to help future BAME leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds. The aim is to increase race (and gender diversity) in Britain and beyond. Sponsors from the legal world include Hogan Lovells for the scholarship and the University of Law for the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Annual Lecture which takes place on 15th October 2016.

Miranda has co-founded the “General Counsel Diversity Leadership Forum” and “Color In Tech” to help increase race and gender diversity in both the legal and technology sectors. She is on the committee board for City Women Network to increase gender diversity within the Corporate sector.

She is also part of the Thomson Reuters Legal In-House Advisory Network and Business Law Consultation Advisory Board. Professional Ambassador for Aspiring Solicitors from since March 2015. Miranda is on the board as Vice Chair of the Black Cultural Archives, Patron of the Black British Academics and board advisor for other organisations.”

Miranda is on the board as Vice Chair of the Black Cultural Archives, Patron of the Black British Academics and board advisor for other organisations. Her portfolio career also consists of being a life & business strategist, investor, entertainment consultant, writer for various publications such as OTC Space & Chambers Diversity and an international LAMDA qualified public speaker. She is a Brand Ambassador for various brands which include The Fold London and Piaget. In addition, she is a presenter which includes providing commentary on television & radio for BBC, London Live & Sky etc. while being quoted in the likes of The Guardian and the Financial Times.

The rest of this guest blog is in Miranda’s own words.

What are the components of your portfolio career e.g. study, paid freelance work, part time job, volunteering etc?

The components of my portfolio career consist of a full time job within an in-house legal department for an investment bank, paid freelance work and voluntary work within various sectors such as education, culture, diversity, personal branding, online and offline PR, business and technology (i.e. FinTech & RegTech). I am also an international public speaker for industry events, seminars, workshops, conferences and educational institutions etc. having spoken in Europe, US and the Caribbean.

One industry event which I have just spoken at was the Thomson Reuters General Counsel Leadership Forum 2016 on the topic of career management to senior legal professionals. http://practicallawconferences.com/gc-leadership-forum/.

I am due to give a keynote talk at the Legal Ex (Business Behind The Law) National Legal Exhibition and Conference 2016 in Excel London which is supported by The Law Society next month. I will be the only speaker discussing career management and diversity in law. Tickets are available via http://www.legalex.co.uk/.

I will also be speaking at the Generation Success “Climbing The Law Ladder” Event held at the House of Commons with some of the UK’s leading legal lights such as Lord Holmes of Richmond, Daniel Winterfeldt, Head of International Capital Markets and Diversity & Inclusion Partner at CMS Cameron McKenna and Paul Smith who is Chairman at Eversheds LLP.

How did your portfolio career come about?

My portfolio career was established when I left my commercial role as a sales trader on the trading floor at an investment bank. I had decided to give back to society by undertaking charity and community work during my garden leave. The main roles were UK Global Poverty Ambassador in association with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a charity board director. I had founded my own legal consultancy company which has recently won an award. My public speaking career was also launched during this time allowing me to inspire others to enter into various industries such as law and finance which has now developed onto other subject matters which include diversity, business and technology etc. Once my garden leave had come to an end and I had commenced my full time corporate role, I made a decision to keep some of my other roles hence my portfolio career was born.

How has your portfolio career changed over time?

My portfolio career has grown over time and I have had the opportunity to get involved with some great initiatives while meeting some wonderful people.

I have co-founded the “General Counsel Diversity Leadership Forum” with Catherine McGregor who is the Publishing Director at Legal 500. The aim is to provide a best practice & networking forum for leaders in the legal field to help generate ideas and increase diversity action. There is a lot of talk and networking events about diversity however the action and statistics are not matching at the moment. I have also co-founded “Color In Tech” http://colorintech.org/ to help increase race and gender diversity in Technology.

With over 15 years’ experience in philanthropy, community and diversity work, I wanted to go the extra mile and founded the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation. http://mirandabrawn.com/diversity-leadership-foundation-scholarship/.This provides future BAME leaders (including females) with opportunities and incentives via scholarships, diversity lectures, work experience and mentoring. This includes a partnership with The Prince’s Trust to help future BAME leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds. The aim is to increase race (and gender diversity) in Britain and beyond.

The main diversity issues being discussed tend to lean towards gender and social mobility which I have also been actively pushing. However, as a diversity leader I wanted to launch an initiative which went beyond public speaking and articles to play my personal part in leading the race diversity initiatives within the UK workforce which includes the legal sector.

Sponsors from the legal world include Hogan Lovells for the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Scholarship and the University of Law for the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Annual Lecture which takes place on 15th October 2016 at their premises. The recipients will be awarded their scholarships at this lecture. Dame Jocelyn Barrow will be giving a keynote address at the event. Dame Jocelyn was instrumental in the creation of the Race Relations Act of 1968. In the 1960s, she pioneered the introduction of multi-cultural education, stressing the needs of the various ethnic groups in the UK and she is a Patron of the Black Cultural Archives. Hence, she is the perfect person to address the next generation of BAME leaders and share her wisdom at the first Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Lecture. Her keynote address will be followed by my lecture on diversity leadership, to help inspire the next generation to get actively involved in diversity issues right now within their educational institutions and not to wait until they enter the workplace. Further information can be located from these web links:

http://mirandabrawn.com/diversity-leadership-foundation-scholarship/

http://bcaheritage.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Miranda-Brawn-Diversity-Scholarship-application-form.pdf

http://bcaheritage.org.uk/black-cultural-archives-announces-the-miranda-brawn-diversity-leadership-scholarship/

I am also on the committee board for City Women Network to increase gender diversity in the Corporate sector. I am part of the Thomson Reuters Legal In-House Advisory Network and Business Law Consultation Advisory Board. In addition, I am on the board as Vice Chair of the Black Cultural Archives, Patron of the Black British Academics and board advisor for other organisations.

Part 2 of this 2 part guest blog series by Miranda Brawn coming soon.

What next?

More about Miranda Brawn:

Website www.mirandabrawn.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/brawnm

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandabrawn?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Facebook www.facebook.com/MirandaBrawnEsq

Interested in a portfolio career yourself?

Download your copy of our free report ‘Discover portfolio careers’:
Free report Discover Portfolio careers