Stourport High School hosted its Pyramid Oscars on Wednesday 25 June 2014 to acknowledge and reward hundreds of the school’s students.  Two attendance award ceremonies took place during the day to congratulate students achieving 100% attendance, with a further special awards ceremony taking place in the evening.

At the evening ceremony, students, parents and staff were delighted to be joined by ex-student Marcus Hayes, now a successful Solicitor, who was thrilled to be back at the school after 33 years!  After being born and raised in Stourport and attending at the school from 1978 to 1981, Marcus now heads up award-winning law firm, Mason Hayes, which is rated among the best in the UK and was a finalist at this year’s Manchester Legal Awards.  Marcus himself was shortlisted for the 2013 Law Society Solicitor of the Year award.  Marcus and his assistant, Jessica Eaton, also led workshops throughout the day for senior students whose ambition is to perhaps one day follow a legal career and become a Barrister or Solicitor.

Marcus attributes his success not only to hard work but to the support he gained from his parents, teachers at Stourport High School and his lecturers and mentors at the University of Sussex.  In acknowledgment of the help he received and to give something back, Marcus formed the Mason Hayes Charitable Trust in 2010 which now supports young people through the challenges of obtaining a legal education by way of mentoring, scholarships and work experience programmes.

On attending at the Pyramid Oscars ceremonies Marcus said: “It is an honour for me to be able to return to the town where my education began and be part of the tremendous work that Stourport High School does to help its students realise their dreams.  The Mason Hayes Charitable Trust, in partnership with the school, will now look at further ways in which we can help and support those wishing to enter into the legal profession to turn those dreams into reality.”

Mr Ian James, Deputy Principal at the school said: “Our thanks and gratitude go to Marcus for his time, kind words and inspirational outlook on life.  The school community was buzzing at the awards ceremonies and Marcus’ presence had a very positive effect on everyone in attendance. We now look forward to working further with Marcus and the Mason Hayes Charitable Trust and building on the success of today’s events.”

26 June 2014

Mason Hayes Solicitors, niche commercial law firm with its head office located in Wilmslow, has been awarded the Investors in People Standard, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to realising the potential of its people.

Led by 2013 shortlisted Solicitor of the Year, Marcus Hayes, Mason Hayes offers a wide variety of legal services with specialist knowledge of the Telecoms Media and Technology sector.

Investors in People is the UK’s leading accreditation for business improvement through people management, and provides a wealth of resources for businesses to innovate, improve and grow, with a focus on good people making great business.

Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, said: “Achieving the Investors in People Standard is something that any organisation should be truly proud of. Working with Investors in People inspires and enables leaders, managers and employees at all levels to build their skills, improve their performance and achieve their potential. We’d like to congratulate Mason Hayes Solicitors on their achievement.”

Steve Burrows, Managing Director of Investors in People North of England said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Mason Hayes Solicitors and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. We believe that good people make a great business and as a proven organisational development framework, Investors in People is designed to help organisations and their people to realise potential, enhance performance and meet goals. With their accreditation success, Mason Hayes Solicitors is certainly working to realise their people potential.”

Commenting on the award, Marcus Hayes, Managing Director, said “Mason Hayes is absolutely committed to its tailored staff development programmes in order to maintain an innovative, passionate and knowledgeable legal term. I am delighted that the firm’s dedication to the development of its staff to reach their fullest potential and be the best they can be has been recognised through achievement of the Investors in People award.”