Black History Month: Career journeys in the CPS
Black History Month is a vibrant celebration of the lives, stories and social, cultural and political contributions of Black people - in the UK and around the world.
This year, we are celebrating the achievements and spotlighting career journeys of our staff across our Areas and Divisions.
Sonia, District Crown Prosecutor
Growing up, my parents – who both worked for the NHS – instilled in me a keen work ethos and the desire to do a job that gives something back to society. My father, a first-generation immigrant from India, is a doctor who came over to Britain in the 1970s responding to the call to Commonwealth countries to support the health care system in Britain. This was where he met and married my Mum, an English nurse from Shropshire.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a lawyer. At university, I loved the character Ally McBeal and that portrayal of legal life attracted me to a career as a civil lawyer. In 2004, a friend introduced me to the CPS, and I've never looked back.
Since starting with the CPS as a Crown Prosecutor in North London, I quickly progressed to a Senior Crown Prosecutor and worked in various courts and teams across London, before making my way to CPSD as a District Crown Prosecutor in 2014.
Hiten, Strategy & Policy Business Manager
I joined the CPS in 2003! My father was a civil servant and ever since a young age I always wanted to join the civil service. In 2003, I was offered a role at HMRC and the CPS at the same time. I choose the CPS as it was a role in the Private Office – even though I wasn’t really sure what a Private Office was!
After joining as an Administrator, I progressed into various HQ and Area roles including Private Secretary to the Chief Executive, District Business Manager for Leicestershire & Northamptonshire, Programme Officer and Project Manager roles at our HQ before moving to the West Midlands to be the Head of Business Centre.
In the summer of 2020, I joined Strategy and Policy as the first ethnic minority man to be appointed as Directorate Business Manager in the history of the CPS. My role is to lead all business management activity for Strategy and Policy. I want to focus on doing the role well and continue to develop and learn as the ultimate goal is to become a senior civil servant!
Raymond, Business Services Manager
I was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I migrated to the UK in the early 2000s and, at first, it was challenging. Everything was different to what I was used to – schools were not as strict, all of the houses looked similar and people’s attitudes were different too.
I settled well and worked hard at school - education has always been very important to me. From those early days I was determined to carve out a career that gave me a purpose.
Recently completing my studies in legal practice and having previously worked for defence solicitors and HM Courts & Tribunals Service, I have the ambition to become a prosecutor within the next few years. I have seen how prosecutors can have a positive impact on the lives of victims and witnesses daily by enabling them to obtain justice where they would otherwise be reluctant or scared to do so.
Hassan, Assistant Communications Officer
After dropping out of university, a Government Communications Service apprenticeship offered me an opportunity to carve out a career in communications.
Arriving at the CPS, I was so impressed to hear how so many colleagues who have joined at Assistant or Officer level progressed into area and senior communication roles.
My ambition is to follow in their footsteps. I’m genuinely grateful for the faith managers have in junior staff, working alongside them I’ve been pushed to develop my skills and knowledge while working on our campaigns and strategic planning.
To hear more from the CPS on Black History Month, read our latest blog from Baljit Ubhey, CPS Race Champion.