The 10,000 Black Interns Programme (10kBI) create thousands of paid internships for talented Black career starters, support programme alumni and help UK employers to build more inclusive, representative teams where everyone can thrive. 

This aligns with our AG2030 strategy, which underscores our ambition to create a culture of inclusive ambition through which we support and empower our people to achieve their fullest potential, and also reaffirms our commitment to being a responsible business and making a positive contribution to our local communities.

We trialled this programme in our London office in 2024, offering two candidates a six-week internship. Candidates rotate departments every two weeks, have a trainee buddy throughout the internship, a supervisor, and the opportunity to spend time doing real work and being integrated into various departments. Interns on the programme get a real insight into the trainee process and life at AG. The programme was so successful that we ran it again in 2025 and had two interns with us until early September. 

Fawziya Mahdi-Rogers applied to the 10kBI programme in late 2023 and was offered a six-week internship in our London office in summer 2024. Fawziya performed extremely well during her internship with us, so we encouraged her to apply for a placement scheme the same autumn. She was successful in obtaining a summer placement scheme in London, and impressed again, resulting in her being offered a training contract with us. 

We caught up with Fawziya to hear more about her experience.

Unlocking potential: How Fawziya found her place at AG

Hi Fawziya, can you tell us a little bit about your experience with the 10kBI programme?

It was my first time applying to the programme and I came into it without any prior legal experience or having studied law. That's what made the opportunity so exciting, as it was a fantastic chance to learn and get exposure to a completely new environment, and it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. 

What kind of work did you get involved in during your internship and what did you enjoy the most?

I was lucky to be exposed to a really wide range of work. I attended a hearing, took part in research tasks, helped draft letters, worked on presentations, and much more. I spent time in three different departments and what I enjoyed the most was the variety and the chance to see how different teams operate across the firm. 

Were there any challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was simply being in a completely new environment. I hadn't been in a professional legal setting before, so there was a lot to take in, but with time, I like to believe I grew into it. 

Can you share a moment during your internship when you felt truly support or included by the teams you were in?

There wasn’t necessarily one big stand out moment, it was more the little things that made a huge difference. Being invited to team meetings, people taking time out of their day to ask how I was doing, those gestures made me feel genuinely welcomed and included.

Did you receive any advice during your internship at AG that really resonated with you?

Yes! One piece of advice that stuck with me was from one of my supervisors and she said to make sure your name is heard. It was a reminder to have confidence in myself and not be afraid to speak up or share ideas.

What made you apply for a placement scheme following your internship with us?

I really enjoyed my time at AG and could see myself thriving in that kind of environment in the future. I also wanted the chance to come back, build on my experience, and continue learning.

How did the placement scheme and internship differ?

The placement scheme felt a bit more intense, mainly because I was more aware of the stakes. I felt there was a different level of expectation, but it also felt like a natural progression from the internship.

How did your internship influence your decision to accept a training contract with us?

By the time I was offered the training contract, I had spent a total of two months at AG and worked across five different departments. Experiencing that breadth of work and seeing the firm from so many angles gave me a real sense of what life at AG would be like. What stood out was that my experience was consistently positive, no matter the team I was in, which made the decision to accept the offer an easy one.

Was there anything that surprised you about working at AG?

The people! Everyone was so approachable and supportive, which made a big difference. More broadly, I was also surprised by how tangible the firm’s work felt. I could see the real world impact and knock on effects, which was exciting to be part of.

As you prepare to start your training contact, how do you hope to contribute to our culture and values?

I want to bring the same energy and openness that made my previous experiences at AG so enjoyable. Having benefited from AG’s inclusive and supportive culture, it would be nice to help maintain and build on that environment.

Finally, we have two interns from the 10kBI programme working in our London office at the minute. Do you have any words of wisdom to share with them?

Enjoy and soak up as much of the experience as you can because it will be over before you know it!