Slaughter and May Launches Business Development Academy

International law firm Slaughter and May announces the launch of the firm’s new Business Development Academy. The first successful applicants have joined the firm, embarking on a bespoke two-year programme.

The Academy has recruited talented individuals to join Slaughter and May’s Marketing and Business Development team as part of a new graduate scheme, which is the first for the firm’s BD department. Candidates were recruited using an anonymised application process, which has resulted in the hire of three individuals.

The programme itself has been specially designed to give participants a thorough understanding of business development within a professional services environment and to gain experience in different marketing-related disciplines. The two-year programme follows the same structure as the firm’s legal trainee course, where trainees rotate across a number of practices to refine their areas of interest and develop versatility and vision. 

Graduates will undertake four six-month rotations over the period, selecting from different specialisms of marketing and business development; including digital marketing, communications and PR, global client development, research and insight, content and pitching.

Michelle Holford, Director of Business Development says, “This is a really important programme for us and we’re excited to be developing a new way to support future business development talent alongside those we already have in the team. It also enables us to promote the firm as an employer in a different way - as a good career path for business services professionals. The fresh perspectives that our new joiners bring will contribute to the continued success of the team over the coming two years.”

The Slaughter and May Business Development Academy will open for applications for the September 2022 intake in Q1 2022.