In recent years, Cobbetts has grown considerably in terms of the number of people involved in its business, its turnover and its reach nationally. For these reasons, the firm launched its CSR Strategy in November 2004 to recognise its social and environmental responsibility to the wider community; locally, regionally, nationally and globally.

The firm’s CSR strategy has three principle strands:

• Charity of the Year sponsorship – working with a charity is important in building relationships with the communities in which the firm operates. This not only involves financial donations but also the giving of our time and expertise. Each year, following consultation with staff and then a staff vote, we sponsor a single national charity so as to focus rather than dilute our efforts. The firm’s partners match any money raised by staff.
• Community support – linking up with charities and charity liaison bodies, such as Business in the Community, which are local to our offices. The giving of our time and expertise in this way is beneficial both for the personal development of the staff who get involved and the communities within which we work and live.
• Ethical purchasing and consumption of goods and services – encouraging ethical principles and making informed decisions on the purchasing of goods and services across the firm, considering where possible the ethical policies of suppliers alongside cost. As an example, the firm now uses Fairtrade coffee in all client facing meeting rooms across its three offices. In addition we will encourage a more environmentally aware attitude to as many aspects of the firm’s consumption of goods and services purchased.