A Decade of Partnership
1997: Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister, Hong Kong is handed over from the UK to China and CSR is still in its infancy. Yet in Manchester that year, DLA Piper began a partnership with The Prince’s Trust, one of our longest and most fruitful CSR relationships. We began by providing pro bono advice and mentoring to young entrepreneurs whose business ideas were backed by The Prince’s Trust.
We continue that work today but the scheme has now been rolled out across the UK. Hundreds of DLA Piper people have been involved in supporting young people through mentoring schemes, the provision of free legal advice and opportunities to network with our clients at the popular “Creative Britain” event held in London. The annual event, now in its seventh year, provides a platform for young people to sell and promote their products to our clients and our people – a great event for all concerned.
The partnership has deepened and broadened over the years. Building Better Lives, our project addressing the skills shortage in UK construction, is now offering disadvantaged young people careers and prospects.
In 2007, DLA Piper’s 10-year partnership with The Prince’s Trust was awarded a Business in the Community Silver Jubilee Big Tick.