Celebrating Women in the CPS
#EmbraceEquity
As we celebrate International Women's Day, we asked women across our organisation to share their experiences of working for the CPS and their reflections on what #EmbraceEquity means to them.
Sarah Hammond
Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor
I was a single parent to a toddler when I joined the CPS and was able to balance childcare, preparing for court and spending precious time with my daughter. I was the first person in my family to go to college and I am passionate about helping those who feel they don’t have the insight and support to achieve their ambitions.
Siobhan Russell
Senior Crown Prosecutor
Equity is a huge topic and it is a duty we all have. I come from a socio-economic background where becoming a lawyer is challenging and social mobility is important to me. We all have to ask questions, search inside ourselves and never be defensive when trying to dismantle barriers.
Shilpa Shah
Senior Crown Prosecutor, Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit
The CPS has embraced equity, helping me to work flexibly. Flexible and hybrid working has allowed me to more effectively balance work with childcare. I can also change my working patterns if, for example, I need to attend community functions or school governor meetings, all of which gives me a good work-life balance.
Leianne Saleh
Legal Trainee
I am thoroughly enjoying my role as a legal trainee; it has been both a challenging and rewarding experience so far. There is no better feeling than having a direct impact obtaining justice for victims.
Alisha Bartimus
District Crown Prosecutor
I am lucky enough to work with some of the most talented lawyers and occupational delivery staff and this has enabled me to work collaboratively within a fast-paced environment. I really enjoy the variety that the role brings, each day is a different challenge with a new dimension. Working within the West Midlands CC team has taught me resilience enabled me to grow personally and professionally
Brenda Hartley
Business Centre Support Administrator
I have worked for the CPS for nearly 22 years. I come from a working-class background, and I decided to go back to college in my early thirties and became a legal secretary. The CPS gave me an opportunity to put my skills into practice.
Anjie Bowen
District Crown Prosecutor on Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO), London South
My role as a District Crown Prosecutor on RASSO London South shows me every day that myths and stereotypes about women are still widely held in our society and that much work remains to be done in order to truly eradicate these.
On a personal level, I am a mother of four daughters and so I am very conscious of the fact that my girls are growing up in a world where women still cannot go about their daily lives safely and without fear of physical and sexual violence from men.
However, I see incredibly strong and inspiring women around me every day. I teach my daughters to be proud of being female and whatever that will mean for them as individuals. My goal has been to instil strength and confidence in them so that they are able to follow their passions and realise their dreams without worrying about the opinions of others.
One of my main challenges as a woman has been developing my career whilst parenting four girls in the way I envisaged when they were born. I have worked for the CPS for many years, and I can honestly say that I feel lucky every day to have an employer who facilitates this in practice. That flexibility has assisted me greatly along the path to becoming the lawyer, mother, and woman that I aspire to be.
Kathryn Banham and Angela Watts
Senior Court Business Advisors
For the past seven years we’ve worked together in a job-share, first in the Central Casework Divisions and now HQ Operations Directorate. During that time, we have achieved four joint promotions, demonstrating that it is achievable to work in challenging roles, progress in your career and get job satisfaction, whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance. A successful job share is like any relationship, requiring commitment, and quality communication, but you also need to have the same work ethic.
We always attend the Modern Government Women in Leadership Event on International Women’s Day, where we’re proud to represent the CPS. Jointly we contribute more skills to a role than one person alone, and we’re so pleased to be able to share our successful job share story.
Aliya Rashid
Central Legal Training Team Trainer and Crown Advocate
I regularly visit primary and secondary schools and universities to inspire students, particularly those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, to pursue careers in law. I hope that by sharing my career path and successes, I can help motivate students and colleagues to consider judicial careers too – whatever their gender, ethnicity, or background.
Clémence Pain
Paralegal Officer
CPS, with its various diversity and inclusion groups, has embraced me with my mental health struggle and my neurodiversity. Their support has allowed me to push through barriers to be the best I could and reach new highs. I hope to be able to support others in the future as I was.
Hayley Bird
Lead Analyst, Performance Management Unit
Leading on analysis of Domestic Abuse for the CPS is an incredibly rewarding role, allowing me to focus on improving our performance and service for victims of such a life-destroying crime. The impact of Violence Against Women and Girls cannot be underestimated, and the CPS' role bringing perpetrators to justice is vital to building a more equal society.
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Interested in kick-starting your career, or looking for a change in 2023? Take a look at our Careers page to browse our current opportunities.
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