news
Why Mishcon de Reya are supporting The Entrepreneur Ship
Why Mishcon de Reya are supporting The Entrepreneur Ship
Written by
Christie Surridge
Events Manager
The Entrepreneur Ship has been underway for 45 days, crossing the Atlantic in aid of supporting social entrepreneurs to thrive. With less than 400 miles to go and crossing the eighth line of longitude, we hear from Mishcon de Reya, a platinum sponsor of the row, about what they do and why they've chosen to support this important cause.
Tell us about the work of Mishcon de Reya
Mishcon de Reya is an independent law firm offering a wide range of legal services to companies and individuals. The firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply.
In times of such far-reaching and profound change we want to be the law firm that enables our clients – and our own people – to shape the world's possibilities. We are here to help our clients benefit from new economies, new geographic centres of wealth, the new global movement of people and capital, and the impact of new technologies and new knowledge.
Our purpose remains rooted in our founding values. We take pride in the diverse range of people who make up the firm and are proactive in driving change and continuous improvement across the spectrum of equality, diversity and inclusion. Mishcon Academy, our in-house place of learning, development and new thinking for our people, clients and contacts and our innovative impact strategy, including a commitment to be a net zero carbon business, also play a central strategic role in the direction of the firm. In 2020 we launched Mishcon Purpose, a first-of-its-kind sustainability practice providing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) advice and purpose-driven insight to clients.
Why did you decide to get behind The Entrepreneur Ship?
We are proud to support The Entrepreneur Ship. We felt a clear alignment with Guy and David's goal to raise awareness of the benefits of entrepreneurship in all its aspects, while also encouraging the next generation of social entrepreneurs.
By raising money for UnLtd – a charity that finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs, we along with The Entrepreneur Ship are keen to play our part in supporting the talent of the future by helping to create opportunities that lead to a fairer and more inclusive society.
Head of Mishcon Purpose Alexander Rhodes says, ""Guy and David's chosen charity UnLtd is an engine for positive change, enabling social entrepreneurs to grow and deliver impact in their communities. As we look to business to help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our times, these social entrepreneurs provide a blueprint for purpose-led business for others to follow.""
What support do you give to entrepreneurs?
We work with entrepreneurs at all levels – from those just starting out to established businesses seeking to have a positive and sustainable impact in the community.
Our work includes advising businesses on how to embed sustainability and environmental, social and governance considerations in their operating frameworks and strategies, as well as helping those seeking external verification such as B Corp Certification.
We support programmes such as Walpole's Brands of Tomorrow that offer mentoring and guidance, helping entrepreneurs navigating established luxury sectors to grow rapidly and sustainably.
Our MDR LAB business helps tech startups working in the legal space to build their businesses, get to market faster and scale to meet their ambitions.
We also showcase and celebrate successful business leaders and highlight the many pathways to entrepreneurship through Jazz Shapers, our partnership with Jazz FM.
Are there any case studies of entrepreneurs you have supported?
Some of our most recent MDR LAB Improve track intake.
We also provide pro bono legal advice to the British Fashion Council, which supports its work celebrating and empowering emerging fashion designers and entrepreneurs. In 2021, Bethany Williams won the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, which recognised not only her exceptional design skills but also her work training women from disadvantaged backgrounds and ex-offenders.
What other work does Mishcon De Reya do to help create impact with the UK?
We are committed to having a positive impact on society and the environment, operating as a socially responsible business.
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion programme works towards encouraging diversity in the legal profession, whilst our pro bono work, giving and volunteering increases access to law and creates opportunity.
We encourage all our people to spend 50 hours each year on impact or pro bono activities, supporting our local community or working with charities they are personally involved with.
We have a series of partnerships to deliver pro bono advice and support. One of these is with the Queen Mary University of London Legal Advice Centre, with initiatives including:
Black Justice Project
Offering free legal advice for members of the Black community on employment discrimination, actions against police and immigration matters relating to the Windrush scandal.
Pink Law
Our lawyers supervise law students advising clients on family and immigration matters.
Guy Rigby and David Muray, on board The Entrepreneur Ship will reach Antigua next week completing The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. They will have rowed 3000 miles and become world record holders for the oldest pair to ever row any ocean.
Fundraising for UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs, they have already raised over £540,000. The money raised will go towards helping social entrepreneurs from minority backgrounds, who have historically been locked out of funding to scale their ventures, with support to grow and raise investment.
You can support them by visiting The Entrepreneur Ship Crowdfunder. By donating today, your donation will be generously matched by the UnLtd major donor collective. Terms and conditions detailed on the above Crowdfunder page.
Upon his return to the UK, on 9 March, Mishcon de Reya will be hosting a virtual event you can register for where Guy will be talking about his journey with David and the trials and tribulations they experienced to break a new record.