September 20
BLME & Flex Legal: Partnering to support the next generation
Case Studies
Emma McDowell
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Founded in 2006, The Bank of London and The Middle East (BLME) is the largest Islamic bank in Europe, offering a diverse range of products and services in the UK and Middle Eastern markets. They pride themselves on building strong, sustainable partnerships based on sound ethical principles and work hard to have a positive impact on the environment and society. In an increasingly competitive landscape, fostering the next generation of legal professionals is crucial. BLME and Flex Legal exemplify this commitment through their innovative partnership.
With these shared values in mind, BLME approached Flex Legal in December 2023 to explore how we could support their Legal Assistant, Chloe Foster. Chloe had been working for over two years at a BLME subsidiary, Walbrook Asset Finance, and was eager for an opportunity to advance her legal career. This is where the Flex Talent Development model came in, offering the perfect solution for both Chloe and BLME.
How Flex helped BLME find their first ever legal trainee
From a young age, Chloe aspired to become a lawyer. However, after completing her Law with Criminology degree at the University of Brighton, she felt somewhat behind her peers in navigating the notoriously competitive legal industry. As a first-generation university student, Chloe lacked the guidance of family or friends with firsthand experience in pursuing a legal career, leaving her to navigate the complexities of Training Contract applications on her own.Undeterred by the challenges, Chloe dedicated herself to the demanding process of applying for various law firm training schemes. When BLME reached out to her about the Flex Talent Development scheme, it came at a pivotal moment. Chloe had resolved that this would be her final year attempting applications after enduring several years of the Training Contract cycle. The scheme has proved transformative, allowing her to pursue her Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE), alongside her Qualifying Work Experience. With several years of legal experience already under her belt, Chloe emerged as an outstanding candidate for the programme.
Flex Talent Development is a new approach for legal teams to nurture their in-house talent. As part of our award-winning Flex Trainee scheme, our Talent Development arm has been carefully designed to give legal teams the opportunity to enrol their existing aspiring trainees into the wider Flex Trainee support programme, ultimately providing them with an invaluable opportunity to complete their SQE/QWE. Since its inception, we have supported over 60 aspiring lawyers through the Flex Trainee scheme, with 9 going through the groundbreaking Talent Development arm.
Flex Talent Development not only offers Chloe a pathway to progress her legal career and truly break into the industry, but it also enables BLME to cultivate a pipeline of promising junior talent. As their first-ever legal trainee, Chloe's participation strengthens the capabilities of BLME’s team, adding significant value to their operations.
“Flex provided an invaluable Readiness Programme which enabled me to gain knowledge and confidence to take into the workplace as a Flex Trainee.”
Chloe Foster, Flex Trainee
Supporting Chloe through the SQE Journey
Before Chloe was placed at BLME, she underwent a rigorous ‘Readiness Programme’ with Flex Legal, equipping her with all the practical skills, knowledge and acumen needed to thrive throughout her Qualifying Work Experience. The programme covers core soft skills including confident communication, active listening, and effective presentation, alongside practical legal skills, such as contract drafting review and negotiation.Following this initial programme, the team at Flex Legal have provided ongoing mentoring and support for Chloe throughout her time at BLME, ensuring that she has all the tools needed to achieve success. In addition, Chloe has greatly benefited from the strong sense of community within her Flex Trainee cohort. Going through the scheme alongside her peers has provided her with a valuable support network, allowing her to share experiences and insights, and enriching her journey even further.
“I was extremely lucky with my cohort who all share the same passion and drive but also the team morale to help one another and share knowledge.”
Chloe Foster, Flex Trainee
The Impact of Flex Talent Development
During her initial six months at BLME, Chloe has proven to be a remarkable addition to the team. Her role encompasses a broad array of responsibilities within the legal function, including drafting and reviewing commercial contracts, coordinating with external law firm panels and counsel, supporting real estate transactions, and assisting with litigation. She has also played a key role in updating team policies and working alongside the Company Secretary on company and board meeting minutes. The breadth of her contributions has significantly strengthened the in-house legal support, making her a versatile and indispensable member of the team.By partnering with Flex, BLME’s legal team has enhanced their capabilities whilst providing a truly valuable opportunity for Chloe.
And in the words of Chloe herself, "I am now 6 months into my Qualifying Work Experience and Flex continuously provides support with monthly check-in meetings with supervisors, as well as organising events and training sessions for us all, and genuinely being there for any question big or small. I am looking forward to continuing my Qualifying Work Experience and SQE2 exams in 2025 alongside the help and support from such a great team.”
“Working with Flex has been a very positive experience. Chloe has integrated exceptionally well with the rest of our team. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Flex and exploring more opportunities to work with them.”
Faisal Nisar, General Counsel at BLME
Are you interested in developing your in-house legal talent? Contact Flex Legal to discover how our Flex Talent Development Programme can support your goals.