Newport-based law firm HardingEvans has announced the promotion of two of its associates as part of its innovative progression programme ‘Pathway 2 Partnership’.

The Pathway 2 Partnership programme is part of the firm’s wider strategy to identify and develop talent internally and is specifically aimed at nurturing and developing the firm’s future owners and partners.

The programme is designed to widen the skills base of the individuals involved beyond legal knowledge to include high-level managerial skills, focusing on mentoring, training and personal development, as well as providing the opportunity to play a key role in realising the firm’s strategic aims.

Siobhan Downes, solicitor within the childcare department and Ben Jenkins, solicitor in the dispute resolution team, have been promoted to the position of senior associate as part of Pathway 2 Partnership, which will now see them embarking on the next stage of the programme.

Joy Phillips, practice director, said: “Siobhan and Ben have demonstrated first class legal skills and a commitment to do the best for their clients over the years they have been with us.

“This promotion recognises those qualities but is also reflective of our belief that they have the skills and potential to be Partners of the future. With that objective in mind, and as part of our Pathway 2Partnership development programme, they are now embarking on a challenging personal development path that will develop the broader skills that are pre-requisites of partnerships at HardingEvans.

“This kind of progression programme is something that you would ordinarily expect at a much larger practice, but we wanted to address the issues around developing and retaining talent. We offer our talented solicitors the chance to progress to Associate, Senior Associate or Partner level; opportunities which may not be readily available to them at larger firms.

“The Pathway 2 Partnership gives them the framework to develop their strategic, financial and people management skills. It is particularly rewarding to see the enthusiasm with which they have embraced the programme. We are all looking forward to seeing them develop and mature as good all round professionals.”

Siobhan commented “I am pleased to be able to continue my progression at Harding Evans LLP, having trained with the firm from the beginning of my career and to continue to play a part of our successful Family team. I am looking forward to the challenge of the P2P programme and the new opportunities that it will bring.”

Ben Jenkins said “The P2P programme is really impressive and is something that ordinarily one would expect to see in place in a much larger practice. I am delighted that I can develop my management and business skills to a high standard whilst remaining as part of the Harding Evans team.”

HardingEvans were winners in the Business in the Community Inspiring Young Talent category in 2015 and recognized again in 2016. The Pathway to Partnership programme is an important part of the firm’s strategy to develop and recognize talent within the organization.

ENDS