News - News - Passing Out Whilst Aiming for Dizzy Heights

The highpoint of a passing out ceremony for those who had been on BLD’s Legal Launch Pad programme was a top lawyer talking about fulfilling aspirations and reaching for the sky.

Sandie Okoro, Director and Group Head Legal at Barings Asset Management, told participants about setting high goals and not giving up. Before presenting certificates, she disclosed that she was still aspiring to be a Judge and when she started out on her career path she did not have the support now provided by BLD’s programme.

The Legal Launch Pad (LLP) programme is the brainchild of BLD’s Founder and Managing Director Debo Nwauzu. It is open to all university students, although preference is given to first and second year law and non-law students. The programme aims to help prepare participants, aged 18 and over, for the legal profession by increasing the likelihood of success, improving skills, providing information and raising aspirations via training workshops, coaching, mentoring and work placements.

Debo introduced Judith Shepherd, GRCB General Counsel Barclays Legal, who opened the ceremony, held at the Barclays Group Headquarters in Canary Wharf on Thursday 4 September. Judith spoke of how she was so impressed with all the activities on the programme, which began on 30 January 2007, and thanked sponsors, as did Debo.

Three of the participants - Paul Gordon, Patience Arinaitwe and Netsi Mupikata - gave a presentation about what they had achieved so far and how they would recommend other undergraduates to participate in the programme.
Others who took part included sponsor DLA Piper’s mentor Michelle Tarpey and the firm’s Graduate Recruitment Officer Victoria Quinn.

The closing speech was given by Claire Jacques, Legal Counsel GRCB Technology & Outsourcing Barclays Legal. She thanked everyone for attending and Debo for all her efforts in putting the programme together.