Leading Sheffield solicitors, Taylor&Emmet LLP, is strengthening its links with the local education sector by offering its expertise to school governing bodies.

Chief executive, Anthony Long and commercial property expert, Caroline Hawcroft, are to become school governors after successfully completing the council’s induction programme.

Taylor&Emmet’s Mr Long will become a member of the governing body at Ecclesfield Comprehensive in September. Ms Hawcroft is expected to be assigned to a school soon. They join the firm’s head of business legal services, Rob Moore, who is a long-serving governor at Dore Primary School. 

Anthony Long said: “Taylor&Emmet has always played an active role in the local community and we are keen to develop these links further. Sheffield City Council’s drive to encourage professionals to join school governing bodies came at the perfect time for us. We are confident our business skills will be an asset to our assigned schools and we each plan to make a positive contribution to the governing bodies, helping to raise standards and improve the schools’ performances.”

Taylor&Emmet was approached and trained by resourcing company, Navigate, on behalf of Sheffield City Council’s governor support team. The two agencies are working together to raise the profile of ALLIES (A Local Lawyer in Every School), which aims to bring together the legal and education sectors. The scheme is encouraging more solicitors to consider becoming governors and provides a support network for those already in the role.

Eric Pye, manager of the local authority's governor support service, said: "Governors can and do make a great contribution to school improvement in Sheffield. We are grateful to Taylor&Emmet for encouraging its employees to consider being governors and would love to hear from other companies who would like to do the same. We are particularly keen to talk to people who would be willing to travel to areas of the city where we have greatest need.”

Anyone who is interested in becoming a governor can contact the governor support team on (0114) 250 6868 or visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/schoolgovernors. For further information about Taylor&Emmet’s work in the local community, telephone (0114) 218 4000 or visit www.tayloremmet.co.uk