Elected as a partner to the real estate sector group in 2000, Annette is also the partner sponsor for social mobility at Freshfields. Freshfields has approximately 5000 employees and partners worldwide and improving diversity is a key strategic priority for the firm.
In October 2015, alongside Black History Month activities, Annette co-led the relaunch of Freshfields’ global Black Affinity Network by bringing together nearly thirty lawyers of black African and black Afro-Caribbean heritage from across the firm. The group aims to increase collaboration across offices, share experiences and develop regional office diversity activities and awareness.
Annette is also is one of the drivers behind the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship, which is a unique social mobility initiative. The Scholarship seeks to address the under-representation of black and mixed-race men from low-income backgrounds, and the lack of direct role models, in large commercial law firms. So far, the program has helped more than 170 individuals prepare for a career in law, and Annette looks forward to the program helping many more in future.