Reflecting on a successful mentoring partnership with Revolut
In September 2023, we partnered with client and financial services app Revolut, on a new mentoring initiative coordinated by Aspiring Solicitors. Initiated by our London Financial Regulation Group’s DEI Champions team, the mentoring program aims to provide invaluable insights to young people from underrepresented backgrounds considering a career in the legal sector.
Revolut partner and group GC Tom Hambrett commented on the project, stating:
“The success of Revolut’s in-house legal team is built on celebrating our diverse backgrounds and experiences. That is why we are very excited to launch this mentoring scheme in collaboration with Linklaters to support the young members of Aspiring Solicitors and promote equal opportunities to access our legal profession.”
Partner and FRG DEI Champion Liz Dowd stated:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Revolut on this exciting mentoring programme in which mentees will gain valuable commercial insight and career advice, leaving the scheme more confident and prepared for the next step in their career journey.”
The mentoring scheme paired students aged 19 – 24 with mentors from both Linklaters and Revolut, guiding them through a tailored 3-month program designed to prepare them for completing a training contract. The initiative supported 10 mentees through group mentoring sessions, each group consisting of two mentees, one Revolut mentor and one Linklaters mentor.
The mentees also had the opportunity to develop their networking skills in-person at Linklaters for the launch event and at Revolut’s offices for the closing event. The opening event involved icebreaker activities, a commercial presentation about the sector and networking opportunities. The closing event included a Financial Times inspired Commercial Exercise where mentees had to present to a judging panel, followed by Daniel Geller, Revolut’s deputy GC, sharing his career journey and further networking opportunities.
Many mentees commented on the closing event’s commercial awareness exercise, saying:
“My favourite part was the case study at the closing event because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and tested my ability to think on the spot and speak concisely”.
More generally mentees said:
“My mentors were extremely supportive and constructive during our conversations which made me comfortable to be inquisitive and ask more questions regarding commercial law that I otherwise wouldn’t have had the courage to ask.”
Through our shared commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive legal sector, Revolut and Linklaters have provided prospective Trainees from underrepresented groups with the skills to tackle assessment centres with confidence, making a clear positive impact on their career aspirations.
Liz Dowd, Partner and Sara Cody, Counsel (Knowledge) and Co-Chair of the London Social Mobility Committee, with thanks to James Morris, Verity Kemp, Frances Hodgkins, Pan Papakyprianou, and Imran Bhaluani.
