Olivia Jones: A Success Story of Glenville Walker's Commitment to Nurturing Talent

Since incorporation, Glenville Walker has always been passionate about investing in the next generation of talent and skills and has built strong connections with renowned universities in the Liverpool City Region, utilising their resources to recruit and nurture many top lawyers. This commitment is exemplified through their relationship with the Management School of University of Liverpool, aimed at retaining and attracting talent to the Northwest.

In 2022, Glenville Walker broadened their horizons beyond the legal field, and the firm began enhancing its business operations department, working closely with the placements and employability team at the University of Liverpool. This led to Glenville Walker offering a one-year digital marketing and events internship to Olivia Jones, a Marketing student at the university. Olivia gained invaluable experience through one-on-one mentoring with Hazel Walker, Chief Executive Officer who has an extensive background in strategic marketing, operations and events management. With guidance, Olivia planned a range of events, from corporate dinners to large-scale functions, collaborated with various businesses across the Liverpool, managed social media platforms and marketing content for the firm.

While completing her final year at university, where she earned a first-class degree in Marketing, Olivia continued working part-time at Glenville Walker. The firm seeks tenacious and solution-driven individuals, and reflecting these qualities, Olivia was delighted to be offered full time employment as their first appointed Marketing and Events Coordinator. As an active investor in people, Glenville Walker focuses on retaining talent by fostering growth, providing resources, and dedicating time to prevent brain drain, ensuring that skilled graduates are connected with local opportunities.

This collaboration between the Management School of University of Liverpool and Glenville Walker benefits the North West economy as a whole: the University enhances its educational offering, while Glenville Walker mentors’ local talent and discovers employees who align with their cultural values. Such partnerships ease students' transition into the workforce, addressing the growing challenge of securing post-graduation employment.

Hazel Walker, commented, "Internships offer a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with emerging talent and foster a culture of innovation and growth, ultimately contributing to the long-term success and sustainability of your business. We thoroughly enjoy working with students, providing them with invaluable practical experience whilst our workplace also benefits from their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm. Olivia has really thrown herself at this opportunity and she continues to positively challenge the boundaries of marketing at the firm.”

Dr. Ahmed Al-Abdin, Deputy Associate Dean - International & Senior Lecturer in Marketing, University of Liverpool Management School commented, "Year-in-industry placements provide excellent students like Olivia with a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing them to develop vital skills such as commercial insight and ethical awareness. These experiences not only equip them with practical know-how but also empower them to excel in their final year, with 99% of our placement students achieving a 2:1 or first-class degree. Our partnerships with industry leaders like Glenville Walker are crucial for our students and the Liverpool City Region, as they not only enhance employability but also contribute to the region's economic growth. By offering these placement opportunities, companies like Glenville Walker play a pivotal role in nurturing local graduate talent, driving innovation, and building a robust future workforce."

Olivia Jones reflects on her experience: "Completing a year in industry with Glenville Walker was an invaluable experience, and I consider it a privilege to have learned from and been supported by such an incredible team. Starting a career post-graduation can be daunting, but this experience prepared me for a career in marketing and contributed to my first-class degree. Working closely with Hazel, I learned the importance of communication in a supportive environment where mistakes are seen as lessons. She helped me gain confidence, trust my judgment, and develop valuable skills in both marketing and events. My placement year was an extremely positive start to my career, and I’m thrilled to continue my journey at the firm.”

Glenville Walker's connection with the Management School at the University of Liverpool is a testament to their dedication to nurturing talent and ensuring the growth and development of the next generation of professionals across the North West.