Barrington Hibbert Associates is a specialist executive search, leadership development and diversity advisory firm working in the Square Mile In 2022, the firm won the Boosting Social Impact award at the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards.

Ahead of the Dragon Awards opening for applications in 2023, we spoke to Michael Barrington Hibbert, founder and CEO, to hear more about their social impact approach and winning a Dragon Award.

Winning a Dragon Award – “a really humbling experience”

The firm won the award for their social impact approach, which included supporting 10,000 Black Interns. Co-founded by Michael in 2020, the 10,000 Black Interns initiative seeks to ensure a diverse talent pipeline into roles within the Square Mile and beyond by offering paid internships across a range of sectors. Barrington Hibbert’s social impact approach holistically addresses the lack of opportunity for people from under-represented and low-income backgrounds trying to start or progress their career in the City from grassroots to executive level. This has included working with schools in lower socio-economic areas to introduce students to a career in the City, as well as tackling recruitment, progression and retention for unrepresented groups already working in the City.

Winning the award was significant to Michael as it was a recognition of his longstanding work to level the playing field, getting people from underrepresented groups into the Square Mile – and working with organisations to retain them.

Michael believes that the City of London is a place where people from all walks of life can make a difference, not only to their own lives but to the lives of the people around them.

On winning the award, Michael said “It was hugely rewarding just to be recognised by my peers. To go to Mansion House and see such a diverse room of people being acknowledged, was amazing. I loved it. It was one of the highlights of my year.”

Embedding social impact into the business

The Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards celebrates businesses having an impact on the society they work in. And for Michael, that has always been a crucial part of the way he works.

Michael says “When you come from a typically underrepresented background, the belief that you have to work twice as hard to succeed is often built into your DNA, which can be really challenging. This is why I believe that it’s important to have these conversations about the importance of representation as much as possible, even if it does feel uncomfortable.

With over 20 years’ experience of working within financial and professional Services, Michael has always been committed to creating a positive social impact and transforming representation, because he believes this is the right thing to do. This belief in creating a social legacy is embedded into the way Barrington Hibbert Associates operates. That is something that sets the business apart from others, and a contributing factor to them winning last year.

Applying for a Dragon Award

Michael applied for the 2022 awards after a contact at the City of London Corporation suggested he do so. But last year was not the first time for Michael attending the Dragon Awards. Around 2007, a ‘world of work’ programme that Michael lead at the organisation he was working for was shortlisted for a Dragon Award. As someone that has championed social mobility throughout his career, Michael thought it was wonderful to see that there was a way for social impact to be recognised. He found going to Mansion House a little daunting, but uplifting at the same time. He said it was “refreshing to see that commitment from the City of London”.

So, when Barrington Hibbert Associates were shortlisted in 2022, Michael had an idea of what to expect. He invited some clients along to the ceremony and enjoyed making connections with the other finalists, which felt like a meeting of the minds.

Advice to anyone considering applying this year

If you are thinking about applying for a Dragon Award this year, the first thing Michael wants to say is thank you. Planning to apply means you have already made a social impact, and given back to your community and team, an achievement you should be proud of.

Secondly, Michael would like to remind people that winning, or being shortlisted for, is great for business, so it is important to put a lot of time and consideration in the application process.

Finally, he would love to encourage small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to apply. He knows that big firms have teams to dedicate time to applying for awards, but Michael wants to see SMEs recognised again – as they were in 2022. Barrington Hibbert Associates is an SME, so Michael knows that often, smaller teams do not think the contribution they have made is worthy of an application. He would like to reassure SMEs that the work they are doing is important and that the Dragon Awards are inclusive to small and big organisations. He is looking forward to seeing SMEs shortlisted again this year.