Clarke Willmott enhances ESG strategy with ethical new starter gifts

5 December 2024

National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP is strengthening its alignment with sustainable business practices and responsible corporate values by offering new starters a range of thoughtful, purpose-driven onboarding gifts.

Since 2023, the firm has enhanced its gift box designs, shifting to reusable tote bags as part of a broader effort to reduce waste and support its colleagues with practical, eco-conscious products in line with its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy.

Clarke Willmott has partnered with Social Supermarket, an online platform that curates and sells products from ethical, sustainable, and social enterprises, as part of its ongoing commitment to support employees and foster a positive workplace culture.

The new employee starter packs include notebooks made from recycled and reclaimed materials, reusable water bottles, bags, pens, and desktop gardens that help to promote and create solutions for sustainable travel.

They include:

• Notebooks – help to fund children’s education projects across the globe, with 5 per cent of the net sales price donated to global children’s charity Plan International UK.
• Reusable water bottles – each helps to contribute meals to a child in need via the charity Mary’s Meals who get nutritious food to children in some of the world’s poorest areas
• Bags, pens, desktop gardens and donating bikes – through purchases of these items since 2023, Clarke Willmott has funded the equivalent of two refurbished bikes for a school

“The initiative to welcome new joiners began as a response to the challenges of remote onboarding during the pandemic,” said Clarke Willmott’s director of HR, Daniel Jones (pictured).

“At that time, we realised how important it was to ensure new team members still felt connected and valued, even when working remotely. Since then, the initiative has evolved into a core part of our onboarding process.

“We find that new entrants coming into the firm, as well as interviewees, ask about our values and purpose and therefore it’s important that our onboarding processes are aligned with our ethos.”

He said the gifts also aligned with the firm’s ESG strategy: “Providing sustainable and socially responsible products reinforces our dedication to making a positive impact on both our colleagues and the world around us.

“Physical, mental, and financial health are important, but the social and environmental aspects are just as vital. Being connected, having purpose, and making a positive impact on the world around us are key to supporting our overall wellbeing.”

Karen Higgins, head of ESG at Clarke Willmott, said integrating ESG principles into the firm’s operations and employee experience was critical: “Sustainability and social responsibility are core to who we are as a business. By embedding these values into our onboarding process, we’re demonstrating our commitment to making a positive impact on both the environment and society.

“We want to integrate the entire ESG framework into every aspect of our operations – from procurement and supplier selection to the benefits and opportunities we provide to our people.”

Clarke Willmott LLP is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton, and Taunton.