Diversity statistics
All firms accredited to perform the reserved legal service of probate are required to collect, report and publish diversity data about their employees.
We are pleased to provide the results of our ICAEW Probate Diversity Survey 2025. We received 171 submissions out of a total of 240 eligible staff working from 6 offices.
ICAEW Chartered Accountant
Partner
3.96%
Manager
2.97%
Qualified
4.46%
Training
4.46%
Other Chartered Accountant
Partner
4.46%
Manager
10.89%
Qualified
8.91%
Training
10.4%
Other Accountant
Partner
0.99%
Manager
1.98%
Qualified
5.94%
Training
8.91%
Legally qualified
Partner
0.5%
Manager
0.99%
Qualified
0.5%
Training
1.49%
Other legal
Partner
0%
Manager
0%
Qualified
0.5%
Training
0.99%
Other profession
Partner
0.5%
Manager
0.5%
Qualified
5.45%
Training
0.99%
Direct support staff
Partner
0.5%
Manager
2.97%
Qualified
1.98%
Training
0.5%
Other
7.43%
Other
Partner
0%
Manager
2.48%
Qualified
1.49%
Training
1.98%
Prefer not to say
Prefer not to say
6.44%
Age
16-24
17.54%
25-34
29.24%
35-44
19.88%
45-54
15.79%
55-64
8.77%
65 and over
1.17%
Prefer not to say
7.6%
Gender
Registered sex at birth
Male
47.95%
Female
45.61%
Prefer not to say
6.43%
Which gender do you identify with
Male
47.37%
Female
45.61%
Non-binary
0%
In some other way/self-describe
0%
Prefer not to say
7.02%
Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth
Yes
91.81%
No
0%
Prefer not to say
8.19%
Disability
Do you consider yourself to have a disability according to the definition in the Equality Act?
Yes
2.34%
No
89.47%
Prefer not to say
8.19%
Are your day-to-day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months?
Yes, limited a lot
0.58%
Yes, limited a little
2.34%
No
79.53%
Prefer not to say
8.77%
Not applicable
8.77%
If you have answered “Yes” to any of the previous two questions please identify which of the below health problems or disabilities apply?
Cognitive / learning
0.58%
Digestive / continence
0%
Manual dexterity
0.58%
Mental health
2.34%
Mobility
0.58%
Physical coordination
0.58%
Physical strength
0.58%
Sensory
0.58%
Not applicable
89.47%
Other
0%
Prefer not to say
7.6%
Ethnic Group
Asian/Asian British
Bangladeshi
0.58%
Chinese
0.58%
Indian
9.94%
Pakistani
1.17%
Other Asian
5.85%
Black/African/Caribbean/British
African
0.58%
Caribbean
0.58%
Any other Black/African/Caribbean/Black British
1.17%
Mixed/multiple ethnic groups
White and Asian
2.92%
White and Black African
0%
White and Black Caribbean
1.75%
Other mixed/multiple ethnic background
1.75%
White
British/English/Welsh/Northern Irish/Scottish
55.56%
Irish
1.17%
Gypsy or Irish Traveller
0.58%
Any other White background
5.85%
Arab
Arab
0%
Other
Other ethnic group
1.17%
Prefer not to say
8.77%
Faith
Buddist
0%
Christian
27.49%
Hindu
10.53%
Jewish
2.34%
Muslim
2.92%
Sikh
3.51%
Any other religion
1.75%
No religion
38.01%
Prefer not to say
13.45%
Sexual Orientation
Bisexual
1.75%
Gay man
0.58%
Gay woman / lesbian
0%
Heterosexual / straight
84.21%
Other
0.58%
Prefer not to say
12.87%
Socio-economic background
If you went to university (to study a BA, BSc course or higher), were you part of the first generation of your family to do so?
Yes
25.15%
No
23.39%
Did not attend
38.6%
Prefer not to say
12.87%
What type of school did you mainly attend between the ages of 11 and 16?
Attended school outside the British Isles
8.77%
State-run or state-funded school–non-selective
50.88%
State-run or state-funded school–selective on academic, faith or other grounds
21.64%
Independent or fee-paying school
4.68%
I don’t know
3.51%
Prefer not to say
10.53%
Socio-mobility
What is the highest level of qualification achieved by either of your parent(s) or guardian(s) by the time you were 18?
At least one has a degree level qualification
24.56%
At least one has A Level or vocational qualifications
21.64%
Qualifications below A Level / vocational
12.28%
No formal qualifications
14.62%
I don’t know
10.53%
Not applicable
2.34%
Other
0.58%
Prefer not to say
13.45%
What is the highest level of qualification you hold, or if you are a qualified accountant or lawyer, held prior to becoming qualified?
Degree level
45.61%
A Level or vocational qualification
34.5%
Qualifications below A Level
5.26%
No formal qualifications
0%
I don’t know
0%
Not applicable
1.17%
Other
1.17%
Prefer not to say
12.28%
Did either (or both) of the following apply at any point during your school years? i. Did your household received income support?
Yes
11.7%
No
62.57%
I don’t know
12.28%
Prefer not to say
13.45%
Were you entitled to free school meals?
Yes
11.7%
No
66.67%
I don’t know
8.77%
Prefer not to say
12.87%
Thinking back to when you were aged about 14, which best describes the sort of work the main / highest income earner in your household did in their main job?
Modern professional occupations such as: teacher/lecturer, nurse, physiotherapist, social worker, welfare officer, artist, musician, police officer (sergeant or above), software designer
12.28%
Clerical and intermediate occupations such as: secretary, personal assistant, clerical worker, office clerk, call centre agent, nursing auxiliary, nursery nurse
7.02%
Senior managers and administrators usually responsible for planning, organising and co-ordinating work and for finance such as: finance manager, chief executive
11.7%
Technical and craft occupations such as: motor mechanic, fitter, inspector, plumber, printer, tool maker, electrician, gardener, train driver
14.04%
Semi-routine manual and service occupations such as: postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant, receptionist, sales assistant
8.19%
Routine manual and service occupations such as: HGV driver, van driver, cleaner, porter, packer, sewing machinist, messenger, labourer, waiter / waitress, bar staff
8.77%
Armed forces personnel for example soldier, airman, naval or military policy
0%
Middle or junior managers such as: office manager, retail manager, bank manager, restaurant manager, warehouse manager, publican
3.51%
Traditional professional occupations such as: accountant, solicitor, medical practitioner, scientist, civil/mechanical engineer
9.36%
Short term unemployed (claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance or earlier unemployment benefit for a year or less)
0.58%
Long term unemployed (claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance or earlier unemployment benefit for more than a year)
1.75%
Inactive (excluding those that are retired)
0%
Retired
0%
Not applicable
0.58%
I don’t know
2.92%
Other
4.68%
Prefer not to say
14.62%
Caring responsibilities
Are you a primary carer for a child or children under 18?
Yes
22.81%
No
64.91%
Prefer not to say
12.28%
Do you look after, or give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of either long term physical or mental ill-health / disability problems
No
80.12%
Yes, 1-19 hours per week
7.6%
Yes, 20-49 hours per week
0%
Yes, 50 or more hours per week
1.17%
Prefer not to say
11.11%
Marital Status
What is your marital or civil partnership status?
Single (never married or never registered a same-sex civil partnership)
39.18%
Married
39.77%
In a registered same-sex civil partnership
0%
Separated (but still legally married or still legally in a same-sex civil partnership)
3.51%
Divorced or formally in a same-sex civil partnership which is now legally dissolved
2.92%
Widowed or surviving partner from a same-sex civil partnership
0.58%
Other
1.17%
Prefer not to say
12.87%
Maternity
Have you taken maternity or paternity leave in the last 5 years?
Yes
9.36%
No
80.7%
Prefer not to say
9.94%
If yes: Did you return to your current employer after the leave?
Yes
8.77%
No
0.58%
Prefer not to say
8.77%
Not applicable
81.87%
If yes: Did your current employer give you additional leave for ante-natal appointments?
Yes
7.02%
No
1.75%
Prefer not to say
8.77%
Not applicable
82.46%
If yes: Has your employer offered you flexible working arrangements?
Yes
7.02%
No
1.17%
Prefer not to say
9.94%
Not applicable
81.87%
If yes: Has the ability to work from home been an important aide in your return to work?
Yes
8.77%
No
1.17%
Prefer not to say
8.77%
Not applicable
81.29%
Neurodiversity
Do you consider yourself to be neurodivergent?
Yes
8.19%
No
75.44%
Prefer not to say
16.37%
If yes: Have you shared information about your neurodivergence with your employer?
Yes
1.17%
No
14.62%
Prefer not to say
12.87%
Not applicable
71.35%
