ONE of the city’s largest legal firms is celebrating winning Employer of the Year once again at the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business Awards.

Schofield Sweeney, which is headquartered in Bradford and has been running for 26 years, claimed this very award back in 2023.

On Friday night, the back-to-back victory was confirmed with Bagnalls and ACS missing out on the Christeyns-sponsored gong at the Cedar Court Hotel ceremony.

“We did not expect to get it two years on the bounce,” said Graham Sweeney, managing partner at Schofield Sweeney.

“It is a real reflection of the work the team puts in.

“It is a real team effort in how they help progress the firm and the business, win clients, and look after people.

“Without your colleagues, it just doesn’t work. It is the guys who make the team run and help the clients.”

The company employs 160 staff and has clients across the UK.

It has put in place a base level of continuous professional development for every colleague, regardless of their role.

Employees are offered secondments in other teams to help them gain skills and experience in new departments and move across if they wish.

Its career development framework has enabled its first non-lawyers to be promoted to associate and director positions.

The firm runs financial wellbeing sessions, has six trained Mental Health First Aiders, and has a busy calendar of events and treats.

“It is all about client service and looking after customers,” added Graham. “It is relationships that really count.

“2025 is going to be the launching pad for Bradford (when it becomes UK City of Culture).

“It is not the end point, it is where Bradford starts from. The start of the journey. Great things to come.

“When Bradford does well, we do well.

“It is going to drive investment into Bradford and increase the number of people who work in the city.”