1st Formations Reviews

4.0

74% would recommend to a friend

(91 total reviews)

Graeme Donnelly

81% approve of CEO

77% positive business outlook

1st Formations has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 91 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The 1st Formations employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Legal industry (3.8 stars).

Reviews by job title

91 reviews
5.0
May 19, 2026

Supportive colleagues and good social values

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Really lovely colleagues. Dog friendly. Strong focus on ESG, the charity and environmental work really align with my values. Free lunch Fridays, I appreciate it's from Atis so it's a healthy lunch. Paid volunteer days.

Cons

Office is lacking a buzz on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The coffee in the machines is not good. I struggle to get the input I need for my projects from certain people which is really frustrating.

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1st Formations Response
3w
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review. It really does mean a lot to read such balanced and thoughtful feedback. We’re really pleased to hear that you’re enjoying the team and that our focus on ESG, charity and environmental work is resonating with you. That sense of shared values, alongside a supportive and inclusive environment, is something we care deeply about. It’s also great to hear that some of the everyday touches, like Free Lunch Fridays from Atis, and our dog-friendly offices, are contributing positively to your experience. We also really appreciate you being open about where things aren’t working as well. The quieter office days you mention, along with the challenges in getting timely input on projects, are important reflections for us. As we continue to grow, making sure collaboration is smooth, communication is clear, and the office feels energised throughout the week are all areas we’re actively focusing on. If you’re open to it, we’d really encourage you to connect with the People Team directly to discuss the collaboration challenges you’re facing or share ideas on how we can improve the office experience. And yes, that includes the coffee beans we use. Thanks again for taking the time to share this; it genuinely helps us keep improving in the right ways.
5.0
May 13, 2026

Great Opportunity!

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Really happy in my role and feel the company has given me a great opportunity to grow. Leadership knows where improvements are needed and is actively working towards achieving this. We've brought in a lot of talented people lately who are helping drive the business forward. Overall, a positive place to work with some good momentum behind it.

Cons

• Some areas still need work, • Can be a high workload at times

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1st Formations Response
1mo
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review, it genuinely means a lot to read. We're really pleased you're enjoying your role and feeling the opportunity to grow. That's exactly what we want for our people, and it's great to hear it's landing that way. You're right that there are areas still to improve, and workload is something we're conscious of as the business grows. We'll keep working on it. Thanks again; feedback like this keeps us motivated to get it right!
1.0
May 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

A few decent employees work hard and quietly keep things moving, although they rarely get the credit they deserve. Senior management, however, seem perfectly capable of taking the credit.

Cons

The company presents itself as values-led, but the actual working environment can feel cliquey, inconsistent and strangely unserious. There is a noticeable sense that informal relationships and internal politics carry more weight than competence, consistency or fair process. Certain people appear to receive more trust, visibility and protection than others, which creates a poor impression of how management decisions are made. The management style is often reactive rather than structured. Communication is inconsistent, process changes are not always properly thought through, and concerns can be minimised rather than dealt with properly. This makes it difficult to trust that workplace issues, performance matters or conduct concerns will be handled objectively. Senior leadership should review whether some people in leadership roles genuinely understand the business, the staff and the culture they are responsible for. The company needs stronger accountability, clearer standards and less tolerance for informal power dynamics.

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1st Formations Response
1mo
Thank you for taking the time to leave this review. The concerns you've raised about consistency, fairness and how we communicate are ones we take seriously. Feedback like this, even when difficult to read, is useful; and we'd rather hear it than not. We are working on clearer processes, more consistent standards and making sure concerns are genuinely heard when they're raised. If you'd like to speak with us directly to discuss further, please reach out to HR directly; hr@1stformations.co.uk.
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Glassdoor has 96 1st Formations reviews submitted anonymously by 1st Formations employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if 1st Formations is right for you.