Giving students a valuable insight into the world of work, Slater and Gordon Lawyers recently hosted a team from Salford University.

The data science masters students spent 10 weeks at the firm’s flagship Manchester office, shadowing the company’s own data analysts and working with them on a series of projects.

Suzanne Coumbaros, who heads up the data science department at Slater and Gordon and spearheaded the innovative partnership with data and analytics firm Eden Smith, said: “This was an exciting opportunity for students to get some real hands-on experience and I think they found it really valuable.

“We hosted five students and gave them a variety of projects to work on including how likely a case was to be successful, using everything from population and geographic information to age, enquiry information, client data and generic information from population demographics and the Post Office.”

Much of the work the students did involved crunching mass amounts of data to build models to predict outcomes of cases for clients based on their unique circumstances.

Suzanne added: “The data they helped to collect will enable us to give far more clarity to the client about their journey, likelihood of success, how long the case might take, what it might cost but also how much compensation is likely. All of this helps a client understand and be more aware and involved in the progression of their case. Our data management vision is to reduce costs, deliver better customer outcomes and improve efficiency.

“Preserving client confidentiality and privacy is our top priority, so the students were tasked with analysing anonymised data trends and publicly available information from sources such as the census, government studies and research papers to build up really detailed computer models. We’ll be able to use these to predict various things such as the chances of case successes.”

Placements were organised by Eden Smith under its Nurture initiative.

Lucy Lynch, head of graduate programs at the firm, said: “Being able to have real experience in the world of work makes a huge difference to a student. When they finish their studies, to be able to go out and say they’ve worked with a large firm like Slater and Gordon looks great on their CV.”

Salford-based, Frenkel Topping is bolstering its growth plans with the launch of a new training academy to attract future talent to the business.

The specialist wealth management company’s headcount is now at 62 and comes after Frenkel Topping became a £7.3 million turnover outfit at the end of its fiscal year in 2017.

Frenkel Topping is now looking to deepen its talent pool and nurture home grown talent through the establishment of the Frenkel Topping Training Academy, following the success of its Graduate Programme launched at the end of last year.

The Salford-based company specialises in protecting the financial assets of vulnerable people, including claimants and their families who have been awarded large compensation payments through personal injury or clinical negligence.

Richard Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of Frenkel Topping, said: “Last year was a momentous year for Frenkel Topping and our long list of clients. We manage our clients with empathy, sympathy and confidence in the investment decisions and support provided, which we know is reflected in the fact that 95% of our clients stay with us for their lifetimes.

“However, over the years we have found it a challenge to find and retain talent. Anyone can be a financial advisor, but we need people with a special blend of skills to work with us and our clients, some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“We are looking for consultants who have both the technical ability and the inter-personal skills to deal with vulnerable clients, and this is no easy task.

“To overcome this challenge, we have launched our own training academy after our newly established graduate programme proved extremely popular, so now we can develop our own future superstars within the business.”

Up to five places are available on the training academy based at the company’s headquarters in Salford Quays.

This is the first year the rapidly expanding business, which is the leading sector specialist for vulnerable people compromised by injury, is running the two-year training programme.

Frenkel Topping also provide expert witness support for the legal profession specialising in personal injury and medical negligence cases.

The company also has a reputation for innovation, integrity and trust, and has its own charitable foundation to support the victims of clinical negligence and personal injury.

Richard added: “We have a few places that are available this year. We are looking for smart and diligent people who thrive under pressure and have huge ambitions for the future, with empathy, sympathy and confidence’’.

“We also recruit talent for all of the right reasons and will help the right candidates grow within the company, making them feel welcome when they arrive for their first day.

“As a Graduate Associate you’ll undertake a two-year intensive training programme learning from industry specialists, you will also undertake the Chartered Insurance Institute exams, receive a competitive salary and at the end achieve a Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning.”

The Academy has been developed to allow graduates to enter the niche personal injury and clinical negligence sector and become independent financial advisers working with societies most vulnerable people.