Anna Richardson

I have a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which is severe in my right ear and partial in my left, so communicating can be a real challenge. I went into recruitment because I had so many bad experiences as a candidate applying for roles and I wanted to make a genuine difference – twenty years later this is still my absolute priority.

I’m proud to work for an employer who actively promotes diversity, inclusion and wellbeing. Osborne Clarke has a genuine commitment to getting the best out of people and has been very open to making adjustments to enable me to feel confident at work. I’m lucky to be part of a wonderfully supportive team where I feel empowered to seek help and support without any judgement and where I am encouraged to create the same environment for others.

I’m an active member of the OC Mind & Body Committee. The Mind and Body committee is made up of those who are interested in supporting our people’s physical and mental wellbeing and to help ensure that Osborne Clarke is an inclusive place for neurodiverse people and those with disabilities or long-term health conditions (of any type). It’s a group where we can rely on each other for allyship and support, driving key initiatives within the firm. The network has provided me with the opportunity to understand the challenges faced by others, as well as sharing my own experiences. Being part of this network helps me to feel less isolated and, while everyone is different and no two people – even with the same condition – experience things in the same way, it’s still nice to have a network of people who just “get it” rather than me just feeling on my own as different.