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Foreword Producing this list of ten has been a long process. We had a large number of nominations and sifted through them with great care. We then carried out extensive one-on-one interviews with a longlist of about forty people, before producing a shortlist of twenty-five for our judges. They then came back with a clear top ten. We scored people on five categories: determination, depth of achievement, contribution to community or society, breadth of talent, and initiative and leadership. Our thanks to all those who were nominated and interviewed, including those who just failed to make the final list. This year’s competition was even tougher than last year’s and a number of really impressive people just missed out. We also decided that we would rank Stars from one to ten this year. The scores were very close, especially at the top end, where just two points separated the top four nominees. This closeness is testament to the fantastic achievements of the people featured. Some thanks are due. Firstly, I’d like to thank Jean Tomlin and Trevor Phillips for giving up their time again this year to score the nominees. It takes care and attention to score twenty-five people in five different categories, and I am very grateful to our judges for their commitment to the project. For such senior and busy people to give up their own time and do work like this for no financial return says a great deal about them. Secondly, I’d like to thank the Rare team of Rachel Kerr, Esther Odida, and Doyin Sokan for all their hard work on this year’s edition. And finally I’d like to thank Slaughter and May for their ongoing commitment to Rare Rising Stars and to Rare more generally. This hugely prestigious City firm continues to hire Rare candidates onto its vacation schemes and training contracts, even in the toughest recruitment market in years. This is an organisation which really understands that excellence comes in many shapes and sizes, and recognises outstanding talent, whatever it looks like. I hope you enjoy reading this publication and are as impressed by our Stars as we are. If there’s anyone that you think should be in here next year, let us know at risingstars@rarerecruitment.co.uk. Raphael Mokades Managing Director |