William Blair's Stewart Licudi, a managing director based in London, received a prestigious City of London award for mentoring students who participated in an annual citywide business training program this past summer.
The Lord Mayor of the City of London Charles Bowman presented Licudi the Project Champion award at the 2018 City of London Business Traineeship Program celebration on September 11 in London. The Lord Mayor of the City of London is the highest ranking civic position in the city’s financial district.
More than 80 young Londoners completed the training program with companies in banking and the financial services, IT, insurance, legal and business administration. The paid internships ran 6 to 13 weeks over the summer and provided youth an opportunity to gain real-life work experiences and responsibilities.
"It has been a privilege to work with these students, helping them learn valuable business skills they can use throughout their academic and professional careers," said Licudi.
The City of London Corporation started the training program in 2000 to boost social mobility and diversity by helping employers to engage with bright, local talent. The City of London works with The Brokerage, a London-based charity that helps youth achieve their career potential, to manage the program.
William Blair in 2014 began sponsoring the program through its partnership with The Brokerage.
Licudi's award marks the fourth time during the firm's five-year partnership with The Brokerage that William Blair has been honored. The other recognitions included Employer Newcomer of the Year (2014); Project Champion (2015); Employer of the Year (2016).