WINNER :
TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS
WINNER :
CYGNET LAW
A law firm ’ s approach to training has helped it attract and retain staff – and clinch the Training and Apprenticeships prize .
Family and property law specialists Cygnet Law , with offices in Redcar and Middlesbrough , employs 80 people , predominantly women .
But , according to director and head of family law Stacey Phoenix , it ’ s all about getting the balance right .
She explained : “ We ’ re trying to train and invest in people , so you ’ ve got to get the balance between what ’ s right for the business , what ’ s right for the next generation and what ’ s right for aspiring staff .
“ We ’ ve struggled with recruitment because the legal sector is so competitive . But in the past five years , we ’ ve started a business plan that ’ s really paying off – we ’ ve seen the firm able to expand and move into new areas like open a new office , but that ’ s been because we ’ ve been training new staff .
“ And , by nourishing the staff we ’ ve got , we ’ ve been able to retain them – and that ’ s why this award means so much .”
Stacey admitted that in the past , it ’ s been difficult to prevent talented legal staff from being lured by better-paid jobs in big cities – but she feels that ’ s changing .
She said : “ By bringing in people at junior level and seeing that they have a progression in the firm , they become part of the business plan . That has really worked for us and will continue .
“ Because we ’ ve shown this can work now , it opens up more opportunities . We ’ ve got amazing places like Teesside University and local colleges that are bringing in the new talent , the next generation of lawyers and legal sector workers , so why wouldn ’ t they want to stay on Teesside ?
“ And if they ’ re going to stay on Teesside , they need jobs and we need to ensure that as a firm , we ’ ve got the opportunities for people to want to come to us .”
And the figures back that policy up , with 12 current apprentices and trainees out of an 80-strong team – and of those , more than half have trained with Cygnet , including two female directors .
Sponsored by J & B Recycling
Tops - Cygnet Law ’ s Stacey Phoenix is presented with the Training & Apprenticeships award by J & B recycling MD Vikki Jackson-Smith .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Baltic Apprenticeships
Dedicated to delivering high-quality education and training to aspiring and established professionals , Baltic Apprenticeships offers tech and digital training solutions across England .
An independent apprenticeship training provider , it offers training programmes in data , IT , software and marketing . The company ’ s flagship HQ is based in Morton Park , Darlington , but it operates nationally , women making up 64 per cent of its 195 employees .
Over the last year , Baltic Apprenticeships has helped boost the career opportunities of 219 female apprentices through its accessible education options , with another 381 women set to gain an industryrecognised qualification with the training provider over the next 12 months .
Tindles
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
Tindles is a leading chartered accountancy firm committed to nurturing a skilled workforce through robust training and apprenticeship programmes .
Led by Angela Foster and Rob Tindle , the Teesdale-based firm has a “ recruit , train , retain ” ethos , offering structured pathways to qualifications , nurturing talent and addressing industry skills gaps .
More than half of Tindles ’ current 20-strong workforce was recruited directly from education , with many progressing into managerial roles .
Leaders such as Angela Foster and Rebecca Wood , for example , exemplify career growth and transformative leadership , and show Tindles ’ commitment to empowering women in the accountancy profession and preparing the next generation of industry leaders .
Vikki Jackson-Smith , MD , J & B Recycling This year ’ s awards gave us time to reflect not only on the amazing women within our company , but also those within Teesside who have paved the way for women within their industry . As advocates for the future of Teesside , we were proud to sponsor the Training & Apprenticeships award . Investing in education and skills training can open the door for so many women and is crucial in building a more diverse workforce .
152 | Tees Business