Developing Legal Talent at Carpenters Group
At Carpenters Group, we believe some of our best future legal talent is already within our business.
Developing from within has is an important part of how we approach our people. We want colleagues to be able to join Carpenters Group and build their experience whilst having opportunities to develop their careers, without feeling that there is only one route open to them. At Carpenters, we have a Legal Academy to make opportunities more accessible to our people.
Creating more ways to build a legal career
Our Legal Academy provides ‘hands on’ on the job learning and development. Led by Joanne Haslam, Head of Fast Track RTA, it gives colleagues the opportunity to develop their practical legal knowledge and gain greater experience of handling files. Colleagues are supported as they develop, gradually taking on more responsibility as their knowledge and confidence grow.
With our Legal Academy we want to recognise potential and give people the opportunity to build on it. The careers of colleagues already taking on these opportunities show clearly what this looks like in practice.
Daisy's journey
For Daisy Harrison, the Legal Academy offered the chance to take the next step in a career she already wanted to continue at Carpenters.
Through the Academy, Daisy is developing the skills and experience needed to handle files independently from inception through to settlement. Because she is learning through the work itself, her knowledge develops as the files she works on progress.
“I already knew that I wanted to continue my career at Carpenters, so joining the Legal Academy felt like a natural next step. I'm gaining experience throughout the life of a file and developing my knowledge as I go, which has given me a real opportunity to grow in my role.”
That development is supported by experienced colleagues, with Daisy able to take on more as her confidence grows.
“The support is tailored to where you are in your development. You're given the opportunity to challenge yourself, but you're never expected to take something on before you feel ready. Having people there to guide you has really helped me build my confidence and knowledge.”
For Daisy, the Academy has opened up further possibilities within a business where she wants to continue her development.
“I want to keep growing my career at Carpenters and learning from people across the business. There are so many opportunities here, and the Academy is helping me see where I could take my career next.”
Matthew's route
Matthew Kinnear's experience shows that career progression doesn't always begin with a defined plan.
Matthew originally joined Carpenters in an administrative role within the First Response Unit before moving into the Stage 1 team - our colleagues who report the First Notification of Loss. At first, dealing with clients over the phone was something he lacked confidence in, but the experience he gained helped him find his feet.
The positive feedback he received gave him greater belief in his own ability and when an opportunity arose to join the Legal Academy, colleagues around him encouraged him to apply.
“When I first joined Carpenters, I didn't have this path mapped out for myself. Moving into Stage 1 built my confidence and made me realise I was capable of more. The encouragement I received gave me the push to apply for the Legal Academy and take that next step.”
The Academy has since given Matthew a broader understanding of how a file progresses and greater responsibility for managing his own clients.
“I've been able to see much more of the overall process and take greater ownership of my work. There's trust to find the way of working that's right for you, but you still have the support there whenever you need it. That's helped me become much more confident in what I can do.”
Matthew is already thinking about how he can develop his legal knowledge further, particularly around court procedures, as he considers where his career could take him next.
His experience is a good example of why internal development matters. A career that began in an administrative role has continued to evolve as Matthew has gained experience and been given opportunities to take another step.
Developing our own
There will never be one Carpenters career journey.
Some colleagues may discover an interest in law after joining the business in a completely different role. Others may want to turn the experience they already have into a professional qualification. Some will know where they want to go next, while others will discover it as their careers develop.
What matters is having the opportunity to move forward.
Our Legal Academy has been created with that in mind. It allows us to invest in people who already understand our business while giving colleagues tangible opportunities to develop their careers.
Sarah Pickerill, Director of People, explains:
“We've always wanted Carpenters to be a place where people can build a career, not just have a job. Investing in development helps our people grow whilst ensuring we continue to build the skills and expertise our business needs for the future. When colleagues can see opportunities to learn, progress and achieve their ambitions, everyone benefits.”
For Joanne Haslam, Head of RTA, seeing where those opportunities can take people is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Academy:
“Seeing people develop and progress is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. Over the years, I've watched colleagues join the business, gain experience, take on new challenges and move into positions they may never have imagined when they first started. That's only possible when people are given opportunities. Not everyone follows the same path, and that's exactly how it should be. The important thing is creating opportunities and supporting people to find the route that's right for them.”
Investing in our colleagues
For Carpenters Group, developing legal talent from within is about giving people the chance to build a career, rather than simply preparing them for their next role. Our Legal Academy provides a route to help people develop practical experience that can take their careers further.
Daisy and Matthew's journeys are already very different, and that's what these opportunities are designed to support.
Someone doesn't need to arrive at Carpenters with their entire career mapped out. What we want is for talented people to be able to join our business, discover where they want to go and have opportunities to get there.
