DLA Piper’s Sandra Wallace named Champion of the Year at UK Social Mobility Awards
DLA Piper's Joint Managing Director, UK and Europe, Sandra Wallace has been named Champion of the Year at the 2020 UK Social Mobility Awards (the SOMOs). The award celebrates a senior leader who has the imagination to ‘think big', and who embeds and promotes initiatives that address social mobility across their organisation, advocates for change and is a visible, pioneering voice to improve the life chances of those people who need support. The SOMOs seek to recognise the achievements of businesses, organisations and individuals across the country in their work of advancing social mobility.
Sandra was recognised for her unwavering commitment to supporting and championing access and opportunity across all ages and sectors.
In her role as Joint Managing Director, UK and Europe at DLA Piper, Sandra has been a key driver in enhancing social mobility in the legal profession, and she works closely with the firm's Board and Responsible Business team to focus on the barriers young people face and make tangible changes to processes.
Engagement in the issue of social mobility is evidence that her passion for change stretches far beyond the firm. In 2018, Sandra was appointed as a Social Mobility Commissioner for the UK government. More recently, Sandra became interim Co-Chair of the Social Mobility Commission where she is responsible for ensuring there is cohesive collaboration between the Commission and a range of stakeholders including ministers, senior government officials, representatives from local communities and experts in the field. She campaigns for better education, with a focus on pre-school and primary school, and for young people in social mobility cold spots to be exposed to and given opportunities to explore a wide range of careers.
Sandra Wallace said: "When I look at the other finalists I feel extremely proud to win this award. Thank you so much to SOMO and Lidl, I'm truly honoured. But more importantly, if this great event raises awareness with even a single business or organization – and hopefully in reality lots more - that doesn't currently engage in this space and encourages them to play a role in advancing social mobility then that would be the real icing on the cake. During the COVID-19 pandemic the opportunity gap has been widening even further. There has never been a more important time for businesses to commit to recruiting and supporting candidates and employees from lower socioeconomic backgrounds."
DLA Piper's Global Co-Chairman and Senior Partner, Andrew Darwin added: "We are so proud of the work that Sandra does as a mentor, a campaigner and a role model to improve social mobility, not only for our firm but for the wider UK society. The legal profession has not historically been very inclusive but at DLA Piper, with Sandra's support, we have worked hard to become a firm that prides itself on recognising potential over preconceived ideas about background or what a lawyer, or someone in professional services, should look like. Our industry still has some way to go and we are fully committed to playing our part in driving the change which is necessary and long overdue."
