Henok was awarded the prestigious Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship in 2024 following a highly competitive application process. The scholarship, now in its 12th year, was established to address the disproportionate under-representation of Black men from less socially mobile backgrounds within large commercial law firms and other institutions. Since 2013, the scheme has supported 136 scholars, recognising and nurturing talent across law and professional services. 

Created in honour of Stephen Lawrence, the scholarship extends beyond financial support. It is grounded in a commitment to social justice, equality, and widening access to opportunity, with the aim of addressing structural barriers and recognising potential irrespective of background.

Reflecting on his experience, Henok described the scholarship as a defining chapter in his development, offering invaluable exposure, mentorship, and confidence as he explored careers within law and other City firms. He also highlighted the importance of community, learning alongside 11 fellow scholars and drawing inspiration from previous recipients who shared their own journeys. 

As Henok looks ahead, his experience on the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme stands as a powerful example of how targeted initiatives can open doors, challenge traditional pathways, and help shape the next generation of talent in competitive industries.

How did you first hear about the Freshfields Scholarship?

I first heard about the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship through my university’s Equal Opportunities in Careers team. I received an email inviting eligible students to apply and outlining the aims of the scholarship, which encouraged me to explore it further.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced before applying for the scholarship?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was my confidence. Freshfields is a leading law firm, and I was not a law student, which made me initially feel that I did not belong. This feeling intensified at the insight day held at the firm’s office prior to applications, where most attendees were law students from top universities.

At the time, I had only been in the UK for around two years, and English was not yet a strength for me. I was concerned not only about academic fit, but also about whether my communication skills would be sufficient for a scholarship linked to a global law firm.

During the networking session, I spoke openly with the founder of the scholarship about these concerns. She encouraged me to apply, explaining that the programme looks beyond grades or background and values transferable skills, potential, and resilience. That conversation was pivotal in overcoming my self-doubt and deciding to apply.

How did you feel when you found out you had been awarded the scholarship?

I was genuinely shocked when I found out I had been awarded the scholarship. I did not expect it at all. Even after starting the development programme, it took time for it to feel real. Standing in the City of London, engaging with professionals and being exposed to the corporate environment, felt almost surreal. At times it felt as though I had been cast in a film rather than living the experience myself. It was both humbling and motivating, and it reinforced how transformative the opportunity was for me.

Can you tell us a bit about your experience during the scholarship?

The scholarship spanned around 15 months and offered a wide range of exposure across law, finance, insurance and public institutions. During this time, I completed summer work experience placements at the Bank of England, the Financial Times, and Freshfields, alongside insight days at organisations such as AON and J.P. Morgan.

I also had the opportunity to visit trading floors at Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, where I learned how trading floors operate in practice, including team structures, decision-making processes, and the pace of high-stakes environments.

At Freshfields, I met partners and senior partners across different teams and gained insight into their career paths, areas of practice, and the firm’s culture. At the Bank of England, I had the rare opportunity to meet individually with the Governor and Deputy Governors, which provided a valuable perspective on leadership and public responsibility.

One particularly memorable experience was visiting the UK Supreme Court, where I met Lord Leggatt and learned about his role, his life experiences and career as a Justice of the Supreme Court. Overall, the scholarship offered exceptional access to people and environments that would otherwise have felt out of reach.

In what ways has the scholarship opened doors for you professionally?

The scholarship opened doors for me professionally by accelerating and validating an interest in financial services that I already had before applying. As a non-law student, the programme did not redirect my career goals, but instead gave me structured access to institutions, people, and environments that are typically difficult to reach without prior connections.

Through work experience, insight days, and exposure to organisations across finance, law, public service, and consulting, I gained first-hand insight into financial markets, risk, and corporate decision-making, and how analytical and commercial skills are applied in practice. This strengthened my career direction within financial services and allowed me to engage with the sector in a more informed and confident way.

The credibility of the scholarship and the network it provided lowered barriers to entry, made conversations with professionals more substantive, and enabled me to pursue finance-focused opportunities with greater clarity and conviction.

How has the experience benefitted you academically?

Academically, the scholarship helped me develop practical skills that directly supported my studies, particularly in presentation, teamwork, and professional communication. These skills improved my contribution to group projects and my ability to articulate ideas clearly in assessed work.

Balancing the scholarship alongside coursework also strengthened my time management and prioritisation, enabling me to meet overlapping deadlines more effectively. In addition, discussions with portfolio managers in investment management and traders in investment banking helped shape my academic interests and directly informed the direction of my degree capstone project.

Can you tell us about any unexpected opportunities or experiences that came from receiving the scholarship?

While the scholarship led to a number of potential opportunities, my current focus has been on completing my degree and preparing to pursue a master’s programme. As a result, I have not actively pursued additional opportunities yet, but the exposure and network from the scholarship have positioned me well to do so in the future.

Looking back, what does this achievement mean to you personally?

Personally, the scholarship represents recognition and belonging. Coming from a minority background and having arrived in the UK as a refugee, entering spaces that often feel closed or inaccessible initially seemed out of reach. Being selected challenged that assumption and affirmed that background does not define potential.

The biggest takeaway has been confidence and perspective. The experience showed me that I can operate in high-performance environments while remaining authentic to who I am. It reinforced the importance of resilience, self-belief, and using opportunities not just for personal progress, but as motivation to open doors for others who may see themselves reflected in similar circumstances.