Client excellence: Mentorship in motion with Deliveroo

We were proud to partner with client Deliveroo’s legal team on 24 September to host a mock assessment centre for mentees from Aston University on their ‘Roo’ve Been Served’ programme.

The programme is an inspiring initiative designed to boost social mobility and open doors into the legal profession.

What is the ‘Roo’ve Been Served’ programme? 

Launched in 2021, ‘Roo’ve Been Served’ connects Aston Law School students with Deliveroo’s senior lawyers through a two-year mentoring programme, offering monthly mentoring sessions, paid work experience in London, bursaries for educational resources, and exposure to corporate and commercial legal work. The programme is all about creating meaningful pathways for students from diverse backgrounds to succeed in the legal sector.

A partnership built on client excellence

This opportunity also grew out of our commitment to client excellence - staying close to our clients, keeping an eye on their priorities, and always looking for ways to add value. When Deliveroo Client Partner Fiona Teague saw details of the Deliveroo partnership on their website, she offered the team the chance to use our space at 103 Colmore Row to collaborate on a session for their mentees.

Bringing the Deliveroo legal team into our Birmingham office (when we usually meet in London) created a fresh dynamic and allowed us to showcase the firm’s own social mobility and corporate responsibility initiatives - underlining how closely our values align with those of our client.

Setting the tone

The day began with a fun and personal introductory session led by our Senior Emerging Talent Manager, Samantha Hope, where everyone introduced themselves by sharing what they would do if given a free afternoon. From a love of films to food and family time, this icebreaker created an open, relaxed atmosphere and set the tone for an engaging day.

Attendees enjoyed a tour of our stunning office at 103 Colmore Row Birmingham, stopping for some pick n mix on floor 12 before heading back to floor 20 to get to know Fiona Teague and Rosie Byrne, a newly qualified (NQ) solicitor in the Commercial team.

This was followed by an empowering session from Senior Performance & Talent Development Coach, Darren Smith, who encouraged mentees to reflect on how they can begin defining their identity as aspiring lawyers, and how authenticity can support their future careers.

Inside the mock assessment centre

The main event of the day — a mock assessment centre — was expertly run by our Emerging Talent Advisor Laura Hartigan. Mentees experienced first-hand the challenges of group exercises, written tasks and interview scenarios. This practical experience gave them valuable insight into the application and assessment process, as well as the confidence to approach future opportunities. We also hosted an informal networking lunch where mentees could chat to apprentices, trainees and NQ legal advisors.

Mentee Avneet Dhillon shared on LinkedIn: “We were given an inside look at firm life - from application advice and what makes a strong candidate, to the chance to step into a full mock assessment centre. Tackling group, written and interview tasks was challenging but such a valuable way to learn. Another highlight was exploring the future of law in the age of AI. I came away with not only hands-on experience, but also a deeper understanding of the collaborative and innovative culture at Shoosmiths.”

Collaboration in action

Deliveroo’s Richard Lake, who leads the programme, reflected: “A massive thank you to Shoosmiths for hosting our Deliveroo Legal Mentees and putting on such a fantastic day – a brilliant insight into life at an innovative law firm.”

The firm is proud to support our clients not only through legal expertise, but also by aligning with what they are passionate about — in this case, helping to develop and inspire the next generation of lawyers. By working together, the firm and Deliveroo are helping students like Avneet, Bridgette, Serena, Sara and Mya gain the confidence, knowledge and networks they need to succeed.

Looking ahead

We believe building relationships with clients goes beyond casework — it’s about collaborating on initiatives that make a real difference. Supporting social mobility, mentoring future lawyers, and preparing junior talent for the future of the profession are all part of that commitment.

We’d like to thank Deliveroo and Aston University for the opportunity to contribute to such a rewarding programme. Together, we’re shaping a legal profession that is not only innovative but also inclusive and at the same time deepening a valued client relationship.

Further resources

• learn more about our approach to diversity and inclusion, legal innovation and how we can support our clients on our website.