Muckle LLP: Community champions

Social mobility links an individual’s professional status with that of their background or circumstances.

For example, if someone from a working-class background has a professional job, they are said to have achieved a high level of upwards social mobility.

While this sounds great in theory, these opportunities are still very dependent on where you live, with research from the Sutton Trust painting a stark picture of the regional divide.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, while all of the top 20 constituencies found to have high levels of social mobility are in London, some of the lowest-performing constituencies are in the North East, with Newcastle’s West End being the lowest-ranked area in England.

So, what can we do about it?

Making an impact

For local commercial law firm Muckle LLP, improving opportunities for all is a priority.

As the first law firm in the North East and Cumbria to achieve B Corp certification for its commitment to using ‘business as a force for good’, the firm has long championed the importance of breaking down barriers to opportunity.

Hugh Welch, senior partner and head of the firm’s ESG work, thinks businesses have a vital part to play.

He says: “While individuals and the education system have an important role to play, businesses are in arguably one of the most powerful positions to make a difference.

“We recognise that as a profitable law firm, we’re in an extremely privileged position – but we’re also in a position to use that privilege to make a difference.

“For many years, our focus has been on four key areas: supporting young people, overcoming disadvantage, improving social mobility and supporting causes close to the hearts of our people.

“It is so important to us to not only improve social mobility in the legal sector, but to improve it for our whole region, regardless of sector.

“To do this, we adopt a multi-faceted approach, through a range of recruitment strategies, events, charitable grants and volunteering, to name but a few.”

From classroom to career

For a sector like law, which is still seen as an ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ kind of industry, improving social mobility is easier said than done.

Hugh says: “The majority of professional services, which include the legal sector, still seem to be slightly elitist and out of reach for young people who lack the same connections as their peers.”

The North East boasts a high number of professional services workers, with more than 38,000 people employed in the sector.

However, a lack of upward social mobility means able young people are being left behind.

Hugh says recruitment is key to bridging the gap.

He adds: “By adopting more inclusive hiring processes and focusing on educating the next generation, businesses can ensure their talent pools are based on potential, not background, ultimately helping increase social mobility.”

To help narrow the divide, Muckle co-founded the North East Apprenticeship Scheme in 2017, which helps young people gain a law degree.

Muckle currently has eight solicitor apprentices, and three have qualified so far.

However, businesses don’t need to create their own apprenticeship schemes to make a difference.

Hugh says: “There are lots of charitable organisations championing greater social mobility that organisations can partner with.

“For example, this year Muckle has started working with Inspiration for All, a charity that links business leaders and school leaders via mentoring partnerships.”

Muckle has also revamped its Inspiring Careers programme for 2025 to focus more on high- achieving students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

The firm, along with programme partner Mortal Fools, will work with several schools with a high percentage of free school meals.

This impactful programme aims to raise aspirations, build confidence and equip young people with the practical skills they need to succeed in any future career.

Heart of the community

For Hugh, recruitment should be part of an organisation’s overall social mobility strategy.

He says: “While recruitment creates pathways for disadvantaged individuals to access opportunities they previously thought unattainable, it’s important for businesses to work with charities that support social mobility.

“In doing so, charities can expand their services, reach more people and make even more of a difference.”

Since 2002, Muckle has donated one per cent of its profits each year to the Muckle Fund at the Community Foundation, and has supported a range of charitable organisations.

And with the firm becoming more profitable each year, Hugh says this support continues to grow.

He adds: “We have supported various charities based in the North East with grant funding totalling £44,950 in the last year alone, and are exploring opportunities to support more charities that focus on social mobility with grants.

“We’d welcome any charities that work to improve social mobility in our region to apply for a grant via our Muckle Fund at the Community Foundation, so we can support even more young people in advancing their careers.”

 

Muckle LLP

www.muckle-llp.com

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