Charles Russell Speechlys wins Excellence in Social Impact at the Professional Services Management Excellence Awards 2026

Charles Russell Speechlys is delighted to announce that it has won the Excellence in Social Impact award at the Professional Services Management Excellence Awards, recognising the long-standing relationship between Emmaus UK, the CRS Foundation and the Firm. The Firm also placed second in two further categories: Excellence in Innovation, for Russell Up, and Excellence in Skills Development, for its AI Accelerator Programme.

Now in its 23rd year, these awards provide independent recognition of leadership and management excellence across the professional services sector, celebrating organisations that demonstrate clear strategic alignment, active leadership engagement and innovation. Judging focuses on recognised technical or creative excellence, effective stakeholder education, and measurable impact on business growth. The awards ceremony, attended by more than 150 senior executives, took place at 1 Basinghall Avenue on Thursday 26 March.

The Excellence in Social Impact award recognises outstanding commitment to creating meaningful social impact, and the Firm was praised for its demonstrable leadership, purposeful strategy and measurable contribution beyond commercial performance. This was exemplified through its work supporting people experiencing homelessness, particularly through the Charles Russell Speechlys Foundation’s partnership with Emmaus UK, which provides vital funding alongside pro bono legal advice, skills sharing projects and off site volunteering from the Firm.

Miranda Taylor-Gooby, Senior Community Investment Advisor, comments:

I was thrilled to accept the award for Excellence in Social Impact on behalf of the firm and the Charles Russell Speechlys Foundation, recognising our long-standing partnership with Emmaus UK. It was a great opportunity to highlight the incredible engagement across the firm — from colleagues providing pro bono legal advice and our Business Services professionals sharing their skills, through to those rolling up their sleeves for hands‑on volunteering with Emmaus communities. 

It’s a real privilege to work alongside Emmaus UK on a truly purpose‑led, strategic partnership, and I’m excited to continue building on the impact of this brilliant collaboration. Many thanks to the organisers for putting on such a good evening and congratulations to all the other winners and those shortlisted.

Lesley O’Leary, Chief Operating Officer, says:

The long‑standing partnership with Emmaus UK is a clear example of the meaningful, sustained impact we are committed to delivering as a Firm, in collaboration with the Charles Russell Speechlys Foundation. This recognition also reflects the breadth of work enabled by our Business Services teams, supporting colleagues across the Firm to drive innovation and skills development. It is encouraging to see Russell Up and our AI Accelerator Programme recognised as runners up in their respective categories. Congratulations to everyone involved on this well deserved recognition.

For more information on the awards, and to see the winners and those shortlisted, read more here.