This week at their annual AESC Global Conference, the global Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) presented its inaugural “IDEA Award” for outstanding contribution to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (or “IDEA”).

The AESC IDEA Award was established this year to support the goals of the AESC Diversity Pledge, signed by more than 100 CEOs of leading executive search and leadership consulting firms. The award recognises initiatives within the executive search and leadership consulting profession that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access. These initiatives must be of sufficient significance and external impact to be recognised as excellent by the profession.

We’re proud to announce that Saxton Bampfylde has been awarded the AESC IDEA Award this year, recognising our work for the REACH Programme.

Designed in partnership with the Civil Service, Sophie Tredinnick, who leads Saxton Bampfylde’s work in central government, identified a need to address the issues of talented, mid-career Civil Servants with disabilities, who were ambitious and keen to progress in their careers within the public sector. She has led the creation, roll-out and management of what has become the REACH Programme in collaboration with the Cabinet Office. This programme has now been in operation since 2019 and is about to enter its second round. The programme is managed by Saxton Bampfylde on a pro bono basis.