• Swindon & Wiltshire Governance
• Wednesday November 11 2026

Regional law firm Gardner Leader lands national responsible business award

Wiltshire and Berkshire law firm Gardner Leader has won a prestigious national award for its responsible business credentials, while one of its rising legal stars has been recognised on the national stage.

The firm took home Excellence in Responsible Business at the LawNet Awards, which celebrate achievement among independent legal practices across the UK and Ireland. The category recognises firms demonstrating a genuine commitment to their people, communities and the environment.

Gardner Leader was selected from a shortlist that also included Cleaver Fulton Rankin, Martin Tolhurst Solicitors and Wolferstans.

The win follows the firm’s B Corp Certification in June, placing it among a growing global movement of purpose-led businesses that put people, planet and profit at the heart of decision-making. The UK is home to the world’s largest B Corp community, with 3,000 certified organisations, including 40 law firms.

Over the past two years, Gardner Leader has formally committed to balancing people and planet alongside profit.

It appointed environmental and social responsibility manager Chris Dale to drive change and established working groups covering the environment, workplace wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and community and charity.

Its initiatives range from events with environmental experts and litter-picking lunchtimes to bee-friendly planting.

A dedicated wellbeing team provides support on stress and neurodiversity, while running and book clubs have been launched to help colleagues connect outside day-to-day work.

Employees also receive two paid volunteering days a year, with the firm matching funds raised for its nominated charities pound-for-pound.

Gardner Leader has amended its LLP Agreement, the legally binding rules governing how the business is managed and operates, and has become a public supporter of the Better Business Act.

The campaign calls on UK companies to balance people, planet and profit rather than prioritising shareholders alone.

The firm is also measuring its carbon footprint across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 to inform a detailed carbon-reduction strategy and net-zero roadmap. It publishes an annual Impact Report to track progress.

Dale said: “A tremendous amount of work has taken place over the last couple of years across the firm to ensure we meet our commitments as a responsible, purpose-led business and that the impact we have in our communities is a positive one.

“To receive recognition from our peers reaffirms the value of the steps we have taken and will inspire us to continue to build on this progress.”

The firm also celebrated individual success, with trainee solicitor Bridget Skinner named a finalist for Early Career Lawyer of the Year.

Skinner, who joined Gardner Leader in 2024 and works in its residential property team, was shortlisted for legal knowledge, judgment, initiative and commercial awareness beyond what would normally be expected at her level.

Managing partner Derek Rodgers said the award was an important milestone and showed the firm was heading in the right direction.

He added: “Bridget’s nomination is also thoroughly deserved and recognises the vital contribution our next generation of lawyers make in supporting our commitment to providing outstanding legal advice and delivering peace of mind to all our clients.”