Press Releases

HFW wins Corporate Social Responsibility Award

On Friday 2 October, HFW's global marine piracy team was awarded the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the Lloyd's List Global Awards 2015 ceremony, which was held at the National Maritime Museum in London.

The award, which celebrates excellence in corporate, social, ethical and environmental activity, and seeks to identify the company or organisation that best exemplifies the social and community spirit which is at the core of the shipping industry, was presented to HFW Partners James Gosling and Richard Neylon in recognition of the outstanding pro bono work the firm's global marine piracy team has undertaken over the last year to secure the release of 22 "forgotten" seafarer hostages in Somalia.

The Lloyd's List Global Awards committee wrote of the decision to name HFW winners in the category, "This Award is for HFW's unique work in a sensitive and emotive environment that exposed HFW to very real operational, reputational and financial risks, but was for the benefit of the shipping industry as whole."

Matt Illingworth, HFW's Corporate Responsibility Partner said of the award: "This Award is hugely significant when considering the other nominees and the work they are doing. It is testament to the continued hard work and dedication of the firm's marine piracy team, behind the scenes and without fanfare, to seek the release and bring home those "forgotten" seafarers who remain as hostages. It is also, without doubt, recognition by the shipping industry as a whole of how important this work is. We as a firm are very proud of the work the team does."

For more information, please contact Tania Phayre, Head of Marketing, on +44 (0)20 7264 8546 or email tania.phayre@hfw.com.