Travers Smith LLP has announced the recruitment of Chris Edwards as the firm’s first dedicated Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity Manager. Chris joins Travers Smith from Stonewall and brings with him a wealth of valuable experience.
Travers Smith’s commitment to creating social value and promoting diversity and inclusion is reflected in its established programme of activities, which involves lawyers and non-lawyers from all parts of the firm.
The firm’s CSR programme comprises support for charities, a range of initiatives working with and supporting local communities, and the provision of legal advice on a pro bono basis. The Diversity programme incorporates employee networks - LGBT, Faith Resources Group and Women’s Initiative, which play a crucial role in supporting the overall diversity and inclusion strategy of the firm. The firm is also a founding signatory of the Law Society´s Diversity and Inclusion Charter and a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme.
The appointment of Chris Edwards confirms Travers Smith’s commitment to these important areas and signals a further expansion of its current focus. He joins the firm on 13 April 2015.
A highly-regarded diversity and inclusion adviser, Chris has over 10 years of experience of providing technical and strategic support to global corporates, public sector agencies and local government. He is currently the client group manager at Stonewall for the legal and real estate sectors, and manages Stonewall’s relations with around 70 UK law firms.
In his new role Chris will work closely with the firm’s CSR Partner Daniel Gerring and Siân Keall, who is the partner responsible for promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as the firm's Managing and Senior Partners David Patient and Chris Hale. He will have project management responsibility for all elements of Travers Smith’s CSR and Diversity portfolio. Additionally, Chris will support the firm’s partnership to further enhance client relationships by identifying opportunities to partner up with clients on CSR and Diversity projects.
Travers Smith’s Managing Partner David Patient commented:
“I am delighted to welcome Chris Edwards to the firm. A strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity is at the heart of Travers Smith’s culture and is embraced across all parts of the firm. Chris’s arrival is a reflection of our strategic objective to further embed corporate responsibility and diversity in all that we do.”
CSR Partner Daniel Gerring added:
“Our CSR programme has developed considerably in the last few years. We are never short of volunteers for our charities, community engagement and pro bono initiatives and are very proud of the strong ethos of promoting social and ethical values which exists at Travers Smith. Chris’s appointment is a real testament to the value we place on CSR and will help us take our commitment and passion for it to a new level.”
Siân Keall, partner responsible for Diversity and Inclusion said:
“We have made great strides with our Diversity and Inclusion programme in the last few years. I am proud of our achievements to date, particularly in relation to the establishment of the LGBT, Faith and Women employee networks and Diversity Week, a week long programme of events focussed on diversity issues. Chris’s expertise and long-standing experience in D&I will be invaluable to us in the next stage of development and I very much look forward to working with him.”