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Cool kids – From left , Sam Higgins , Emily Skillcorn and Charlotte Barugh of Jacksons Law Firm have launched a series of networking events with a difference .
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Jacksons Law Firm – networking in a new way
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group of junior professionals at Jacksons Law Firm have adopted a different approach to businessto-business networking by encouraging a more relaxed way to mix with others .
The NEtwork , named with an emphasis on moving to different venues across the North-East , will hold its fourth event this autumn .
A Teesside venue will host the latest get-together on Thursday , November 30 , at 4pm when like-minded business leaders and people are invited to attend by signing up via Eventbrite and head along .
The NEtwork ’ s committee is made up of Charlotte Barugh , Emily Skillcorn and Samantha Higgins , who are keen to build on the success of the first three events held face-to-face .
Emily , a solicitor in dispute resolution , said : “ We did run a networking event remotely through Covid , but we wanted to build on that . We were delighted to see that people who attended those remote events have come to our in-person events .
“ The idea came from one of our colleagues , Richard Flounders , a partner here at Jacksons , and in collaboration with us we developed the concept .
“ We just felt networking events generally aren ’ t very inviting places for younger or more junior people , where you are surrounded by people much older or senior . You can feel overwhelmed .”
The first NEtwork event was held at Middlesbrough ’ s Dickens Inn during April last year and that was followed up with a second at Newcastle ’ s Holy Hobo a few months later .
Those were very informal and those in attendance were offered drinks tokens and food as well as name tags to make it easier for people to introduce themselves .
Last October the third event arrived back on Teesside at Stockton ’ s Ted & Ginger , where a quiz was held too .
Stephanie Breckon , insolvency manager at Begbies Traynor , attended and was impressed .
She said : “ The NEtwork is a great way to meet and build meaningful connections with other professionals who are at a similar stage in their career in the North- East , while also being a welcoming and fun introduction into the world of BD for junior members of staff .”
Around 30-50 people have attended each one so far .
Charlotte , a trainee legal executive in dispute resolution , said : “ We have reached out to our contacts and senior colleagues have reached out to their junior contacts .
“ We wanted the events to be fun , engaging and less formal than those we have been to in the past .”
As well as the wide-ranging industries and sectors , The NEtwork ’ s events have also had students from colleges attend , as
Keep an eye here for updates on The NEtwork : jacksons-law . com / events
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well as business owners .
Sam , a solicitor in corporate commercial , said : “ I am relatively new to Jacksons and joined this committee a few months ago because I thought it was completely different to what other firms do .
“ Many other networking events are full of successful business leaders who already have established networks of contacts and may even have their exit or retirement strategy mapped out .
“ That ’ s where we wanted the NEtwork events to differ .”
Jacksons , with offices in Stockton , Newcastle and a presence in Sunderland , are passionate about creating a fun and professional working environment , highlighted by the recent scheduled appearance of an ice cream van to serve its staff for their monthly treat day .
Emily Bentley , Jacksons ’ marketing and business development manager , said : “ We are hoping to raise awareness of these events outside of Jacksons Law Firm so others can help to organise them from different companies .
“ I am a seasoned networker . To come into a firm that has this forward-thinking view on encouraging the next generation is refreshing . These events are for people who are new , retrained or changing careers .
“ We want to help the next generation develop relationships to carry through their professional lives .”
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