Hay & Kilner

Over the past year, Hay & Kilner has significantly stepped up its practical engagement with the Social Mobility Foundation’s Aspiring Professionals Programme, with a view to empowering young people to pursue and succeed in their career aspirations, regardless of socio-economic background. Creating connections and insight Earlier this year, Hay & Kilner hosted a ‘Creating Connections’ event in partnership with the SMF, welcoming students from over 20 schools and colleges across the North East to their Newcastle office at The Lumen for a Q&A and networking. The session was designed to build confidence when creating connections and took place against a backdrop of iconic views across the city. Skills sessions Building on from that event, we hosted a skills-focused session for students which included a presentation, ice breaker session and a group negotiation activity. It proved to be a roaring success, with feedback gleaned from attendees as follows: “I think it was great. I loved having that more 'intimate' approach to the event. I really took a lot out of the event, which further opened my eyes to a career in law”. “The negotiation task was great as it helped everyone engage, and it was fun meeting and talking to everyone”. Mentoring In addition to insight events, 9 of Hay & Kilner’s employees act as mentors with the SMF including solicitors, paralegals, IT and HR professionals. As mentors they are paired with a student of sixth form/college age to offer guidance and support as they embark on the next stage of their careers. It is hoped that both mentors and mentees find this a rewarding experience, with mentors “giving back” and instilling confidence in young aspiring professionals, and mentees receiving real insight and practical guidance as to life as a working professional in an array of fields. Work experience In August this year, and rounding off a very rewarding year of collaboration, we hosted a designated week of work experience for SMF students. 8 students joined the firm with daily rotations to enable them to sit in different departments each day across the firm’s commercial and private departments, to maximise their exposure to the variety of work a career in law can entail and enable them to gain real insights into the day-to-day life of a solicitor at the firm. Feedback from students was as follows: “This has been a perfect week and I would like to thank you all for the unforgettable experience”. “It has helped me gain a much better understanding of what it is like to be a solicitor and what it is like to work in different areas of law and the types of everyday task that may be experienced”. The Firm’s CSR Committee chair, Bethany Herbertson, and vice chairs, Kate Garrett and Lydia Sevenoaks spearhead these initiatives on behalf of the Firm and have said: “These initiatives build on the Firm’s longstanding culture of giving back to the community and promoting access to the profession as part of its broader CSR commitments to the region. We’re delighted to be working so closely with the Social Mobility Foundation to empower talented, underrepresented young people to pursue successful legal careers”. Katie Stamps, Head of Programme Delivery at the SMF, said: “We know our students have the talent to access top careers, but too often lack the opportunities to build professional networks that are so important to getting their foot in the door. We are grateful for our partnership with Hay and Kilner and appreciate the time and effort their team have put into speaking with our students and building up their confidence to believe that they can reach, and thrive in, the top professions”.

At Hay & Kilner, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) isn’t just a strategy, it’s a lived reality. With a 77% female workforce, 56% female representation at Partner level, and a predominantly female management board (60%), the firm is breaking legal industry norms and setting new standards for inclusive leadership. This commitment has not gone unnoticed. Hay & Kilner has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards, a fantastic recognition of the team’s collective efforts and values: UK Employer of the Year in the Investors in People Awards Most Inspiring Employer in the North East Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Women in Business Awards These shortlists are a powerful acknowledgment of the supportive, inclusive, and high-performing environment we strive to foster every day. They also shine a light on the importance we place on professional development, wellbeing, and creating opportunities for everyone across the firm to thrive, both personally and professionally. The EDI strategy is led by Sarah Furness, Ruth Fell, and Georgia Whitfield who as a small team working closely together can provide quick and sharp focus and have maximum impact. A progressive culture grounded in people Operating for nearly 80 years, Hay & Kilner serves a wide range of commercial and private clients, offering full-service legal expertise with a distinctly down-to-earth style. But what truly sets the firm apart is its people-first culture. It’s an environment where employees thrive, and diversity is actively championed. “Empowering people isn’t just a policy, it’s embedded in our culture,” says Sarah Furness, Partner at Hay & Kilner. “We want to create a space where every colleague can succeed, no matter their background, identity, or life journey.” Industry-leading gender representation The firm’s gender balance is impressive While the national average for female Partners stands at just 23% (SRA data), Hay & Kilner boasts 56%, including two new female Partners in 2025. There’s no ‘glass ceiling’ here. Transparent promotion criteria, mentoring schemes, and SMART and strategy led objective-based reviews ensure equal access to career progression. We are currently undertaking a significant project to embed further our coaching culture following an in-depth analysis and review of our values. We also recognise that our supportive male allies have a role to play in ensuring women at Hay & Kilner reach their potential. Policies that reflect real lives Hay & Kilner recognises that genuine inclusion means supporting employees through all stages of life. Enhanced family leave policies for maternity, paternity, adoption, and assisted conception are informed by employee feedback, as is the newly introduced baby loss policy, offering meaningful support through difficult times. A menopause awareness programme, completed by all managers, has normalised open conversations and ensured that women feel supported throughout their careers. Training for inclusive leadership Mandatory EDI and sexual harassment training reinforces a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination. Managers also receive development in performance management, delegation, and supportive conversations, equipping them to lead with empathy. The firm’s evolving three-year EDI strategy includes neurodiversity awareness and training, celebrating cultural differences and different religions and allyship training. A guest speaker from the trans community also recently brought lived experience to the firm’s learning programme. Work-life balance that works A 60/40 hybrid working model, flexible working options and the recently introduced three additional days of annual leave reflect a workplace where wellbeing is prioritised. These benefits are particularly valued by those employees who balance their careers alongside caregiving responsibilities. The firm’s Silver Investors in People accreditation underpins its commitment to trust, purpose, and continuous feedback, creating an environment where employees are listened to and appreciated. External impact and role models Inclusion at Hay & Kilner extends beyond the office. Partner Leigh Ferguson, a spinal cord injury survivor, is a powerful voice for disability inclusion. Partner Lauren Hall co-chairs the Newcastle Women Lawyers Division, supporting professional women across the region and co-chairs our Employee Wellbeing Committee. Associate Bethany Herbertson leads the firm’s involvement with CSR and the Social Mobility Foundation, mentoring students from less advantaged backgrounds while Georgia Whitfield sits on the Law Society’s national LGBTQ+ committee. Strategic outreach is also a priority, 86% of the most recent work experience cohort were female, many of them mentored through partnerships with local education and enterprise programmes. In a sector where gender inequality and rigid cultures have historically prevailed, Hay & Kilner stands out. These award shortlistings are not just accolades, they reflect a deep, enduring commitment to equity at the core of everything the firm does.

Hay & Kilner has advised Community Transport, a leading charity providing accessible transport services for elderly, disabled, and community groups, on the successful letting of its new premises. Community Transport also offers a service diverting unwanted furniture from landfill under their “CT Furniture” service. CT Furniture offers a mix of new and pre-loved items at affordable prices, supporting local people to furnish their homes without falling into debt. Since 1964, Community Transport has been committed to creating a better everyday life for local people. The deal was completed in under a month from instructions, allowing the charity to get a head start on preparing its new Gateshead base. The transaction was handled by Georgia Whitfield, an Associate in Hay & Kilner’s commercial property team, and assisted by trainee solicitor Maryam Ahmed. “We’re delighted to have supported Community Transport in securing their new premises,” said Georgia Whitfield. “The charity has played a vital role in the region for over 60 years, and we’re proud to have helped facilitate a deal that allows them to expand their important work in the community.” Community Transport expressed their satisfaction with both the outcome and the efficiency of the process. “We are thrilled with how quickly Hay & Kilner were able to complete the deal,” said Laurie Robson, Chief Executive of Community Transport. “The team’s responsiveness and attention to detail meant we could move into our new premises much earlier than anticipated, which has been a huge boost for our operations. With sites across Newcastle, Gateshead and Blyth, we are now even better positioned to support those in the community who need us.”