Success for Ashurst at People in Law Awards 2023

Global law firm Ashurst has won the Best CSR Initiative award at The People in Law Awards 2023 for its work in helping to eradicate all forms of modern slavery.

Inspired by the firm's founder, William Ashurst and his four daughters, who were active in efforts to abolish global slavery in the 19th century, Ashurst launched its Modern Slavery Action Plan (MSAP); an ongoing programme and believed to be the first of its kind, to create a legacy for each daughter and provide a road map to continue those abolition efforts today. Designed to draw on support across all of Ashurst business operations, the MSAP sets out to complement Ashurst's Pro Bono work with Social Impact efforts.

The Action Plan provides a path for Ashurst to play a role in supporting the organisations leading efforts to eradicate slavery and includes objectives such as:

• Collaborating and working in partnership with not-for-profits leading efforts in the anti-slavery movement to understand their work and achieve maximum impact
• Understanding where Ashurst can support survivors of slavery
• Ensuring the firm's people engage with anti-slavery efforts

Throughout the last 12 months, the MSAP has allowed the provision of on-the-ground Social Impact support to organisations tackling modern slavery aiming to build relationships with charities that support survivors whilst educating volunteers from Ashurst. Projects include supporting Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA) by creating modules for a series of workshops around digital safety and financial literacy, as well as joining the Sophie Hayes Foundation's (SHF) 'Partnered Up' scheme to provide survivors on their employability programme a series of 'work-shadowing' placements in Ashurst's London office.

Ashurst Partner and Global Head of Pro Bono and Social Impact Sarah Morton-Ramwell commented:

"We are thrilled that People in Law has recognised our efforts and commitment in helping to abolish all forms of modern slavery. It is a fantastic recognition of Ashurst's strong culture of support for pro bono and social impact projects across the UK and we are delighted to play a key role in the business community helping to raise awareness for modern slavery causes around the globe. Ashurst is committed to combatting all forms of modern slavery as a firm and with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders.”

The People in Law Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in people management in the legal sector.