The first Black Senior Partner of a top 100 UK law firm is calling for nominations to recognise the people and organisations creating opportunities for others.
After spending more than 40 years overcoming barriers in the legal profession, Dr Trevor D.Sterling (Hon.Causa) believes success means little unless you help someone else succeed too.
Now, the Senior Partner at Moore Barlow is calling on people across the UK to nominate the mentors, educators, employers, charities and community leaders changing lives through the Be The Ladder Awards.
The awards are part of a much bigger mission. Raised in South London by Windrush-generation parents who both left school at 13, Sterling left education with few qualifications and was encouraged towards careers including warehouse work. Instead, he joined a law firm, studied while working full time and built a career spanning more than four decades, eventually becoming the first Black Senior Partner of a top 100 UK law firm. Throughout that journey, he relied on mentors and people who believed in his potential.
Trevor said:
“I know what a difference one person can make. Throughout my career there were people who believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
“Too many young people still grow up believing that opportunities aren’t meant for them. Through the Foundation we’re trying to change that by giving them confidence, support and people who will champion them.
“The awards are another part of that mission. We want to celebrate the people who quietly change lives every day, because when we recognise those role models, we inspire others to do the same.”
Rather than simply celebrating success, Sterling wanted to create something that would help generate it.
Last year he launched the Be The Ladder Foundation after seeing first-hand how many talented young people continue to face barriers because of their background. Inspired by the people who helped him throughout his own career, the Foundation exists to ensure more young people have someone in their corner, whether through mentoring, leadership development, practical support or access to opportunities.
The Foundation is already delivering programmes in schools that help children develop confidence, leadership and a sense of belonging. Its work includes a 100-day primary school leadership programme, welcome packs for disadvantaged Year 7 pupils, funded residential trips so children are not excluded because of cost, and arts-based programmes designed to build confidence, resilience and aspiration.
The Be The Ladder Awards were created to recognise the people and organisations whose work reflects that same philosophy. They celebrate mentors, educators, employers, charities, community leaders and businesses who create opportunities for others, while raising funds to expand the Foundation’s work with young people.
Last year’s winners included lawyers widening access to the profession, educators championing inclusion, employers creating more equitable career pathways, charities transforming opportunities for disadvantaged young people, and social entrepreneurs committed to breaking down barriers.
Chrystabel Blankson-Hemans, 23 from Wandsworth, London is a Be The Ladder Ambassador. She says: “Growing up, I never really saw people like me in the legal profession, so it didn’t feel like a career that was meant for someone from my background. I thought law was for people who already had the right connections, confidence or knew how the system worked.
“It wasn’t until I started discovering alternative routes like solicitor apprenticeships and CILEX that I realised there wasn’t just one path into the profession. Even then, there were moments when I questioned whether I belonged, but I’ve learnt that confidence often comes from putting yourself in those spaces, not waiting until you feel ready.
“Meeting Trevor and becoming part of Be The Ladder has reinforced that. It’s shown me how important it is to have people who believe in you and help you see what’s possible.
“Being a Next Gen Ambassador means I can hopefully become that person for someone else. If one young person sees my journey and thinks, ‘Maybe I could do that too,’ then that’s incredibly powerful. Your background should never determine your future, and I want more young people to know that they belong in these spaces just as much as anyone else.”
Nominations are now open across categories recognising outstanding individuals and organisations who are making a lasting difference through mentorship, leadership, education, inclusion and social mobility.
Whether it’s someone who has transformed opportunities within a business, supported young people in their community, championed diversity in their profession or dedicated their career to helping others fulfil their potential, the Be The Ladder Awards are seeking stories of people who embody the Foundation’s ethos of opening doors for others.
Nominations can be submitted by colleagues, employers, friends or individuals themselves.
For more information on the categories or to submit a nomination, visit www.betheladderawards.com/categories.
Awards
- There will be 10 award categories, each spotlighting a different aspect of social mobility and educational impact.
- Three finalists will be selected per category from a broad pool of nominations, showcasing a variety of achievements and initiatives.
- Each category will culminate in the announcement of a Golden Ladder winner. While all finalists are recognised for their contributions, the Golden Ladder adds an element of excitement and prestige to the evening.
- In addition to the event, the top 30 nominees will be featured on the Ladder List, a published showcase akin to a “power list” or “rich list,” which highlights their achievements and amplifies their impact.
- The awards aim to raise awareness and funds for the Be The Ladder Foundation. Proceeds from the event, including ticket sales and sponsorships, will directly support the Foundation’s programmes such as enrichment workshops, private tuition, and essential educational resources for disadvantaged students.
- Hosted at on Friday 6th November 2026 at the Underglobe, the awards night will feature personal stories of resilience and success, alongside videos and testimonials from finalists. It will be a night of inspiration and recognition for those driving meaningful change.
