Global Sponsorship Programme

Aligned to our D&I priorities, the GSP is an example of the power of bringing people together and redefining what success traditionally looks like. As Freshfields’ year-long flagship tailored learning and development programme, the GSP has been carefully designed to give high-performing women the tools and support to navigate their careers, recognising the importance of the ecosystems in which we work.

The flagship programme was established in 2015 with between 20 and 40 women participating annually. Many have since progressed to senior roles at the firm. 

Global practice group leaders, in collaboration with HR, nominate high-performing associates from across the world to join the programme, while also selecting a dedicated partner sponsor to work with them during the year. Selection is based on performance, leadership and potential, showing a true investment from both Freshfields leadership and the firm more widely. A panel with GSP alumni helps participants understand what to expect and how to get the most out of the opportunity.

Key components of our programme

The sponsor-sponsee relationship is the core of the programme. Every successful participant is paired with a committed senior sponsor. Over 10-12 months they work on smart, targeted business planning, and providing the sponsee with development experiences to build her unique brand. The sponsor opens doors, provides feedback and builds their sponsee’s network both inside the firm and externally with clients. The pairs can then continue to stay in touch after the programme ends, through both formal and informal avenues.

In addition to support from sponsors, a tailored learning and development plan has been designed to help the participants navigate the firm and take charge of their careers.  These insights and skills-based sessions include a RADA-led workshop on ‘owning the room’ with impact and gravitas, a negotiation workshop led by an Oxford University professor, and specific sessions for the sponsees to learn more about the firm as a business. Recent additions include training on the importance of wellness for sustainable careers, and advice on managing senior stakeholders and more junior associates.

Long-lasting relationships

One of the GSP’s main outputs is a business plan for participants’ career journey, which helps women identify their strengths and how they can build on these. Sessions help participants understand trends across different sectors and the firm’s strategic goals, and how they can grow their business to support these.

Women are also encouraged to build long-lasting relationships with peers on the programme. Peer groups are established at the beginning of the programme which convene every few weeks to share feedback, best practice and any challenges along the way.

Feedback from previous cohorts informs the programme’s continuing evolution so we can include what is most important and valuable for participants. And, as the Programme matures, the sponsor-sponsee relationship has come full circle, with former participants joining as sponsors, providing an extra layer of insight. 

Partner Theresa Ehlen was a GSP sponsee in cohort three and become a sponsor in cohort seven. She says the GSP is an opportunity to take a step back from day-to-day work to see the bigger picture. ‘It shines a spotlight on our female talent, showing them that we value and appreciate them – and believe in them! Helping women grow by expanding their skills, visibility and network, and providing guidance and transparency on their career path and challenges in a safe a space encourages talented women to take the next step.’

A safe space to advance careers

Participants highlight the importance of the opportunity to reflect on their strengths, advice on how to make the most of networking opportunities and deepen relationships with our clients, and colleagues. 

Principal Associate Christina Banz says the ‘fantastic’ programme offers a safe space to open up about obstacles women face in the legal industry. ‘The tools provided by the programme and my sponsor’s guidance helped me to actively develop my career. I have a much better understanding of the strategic goals of the firm and the process and steps involved in becoming a partner at Freshfields.’

Demystifying the journey to partnership is part of the programme, but participants also hear from people who have pursued other careers internally and who have progressed to senior roles in-house with clients. A key highlight of the programme each year is the client panel, where clients offer insights on the importance of diversity, and how law firms and in-house legal teams can work together to achieve gender parity.

Investing in talented women lawyers

Helen Ouseley, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion says: ‘The Global Sponsorship Programme is a great opportunity to shine a light on, and invest in, our talented women lawyers’ careers. It is always a delight to bring this group together with diverse insights, experiences and skills from around the world.’

‘The programme gives women the time and space to really think about their careers,’ agrees Rachel Brooks, Global Diversity and Inclusion Engagement Manager. ‘Going forward, intersectionality will continue to be a focus,’ she adds: ‘We want to see more diverse women from a range of backgrounds taking part in future cohorts.’