Travers Smith LLP is delighted to announce its ranking in Stonewall's list of the Top 100 LGBT inclusive employers.
Compiled from submissions to Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index, a powerful benchmarking tool used by employers to create an inclusive workplace, this year's list is the most competitive to date, with over 430 submissions from across a variety of sectors.
Travers Smith is ranked at 58th place and is also one of the top law firms in the 2017 list.
Securing a place in the Top 100 requires employers to develop innovative ways of working to ensure that their workplace is as LGBT inclusive as possible.
The firm has recently delivered a number of initiatives aimed at promoting LGBT inclusion, including:
- Instigating a partnership with the police and Stonewall in the wake of the Orlando shooting to design an innovative campaign aimed at promoting safety at Pride and other LGBT events.
- Running a session on authentic leadership with leading LGBT executives from across The City, in partnership with Stonewall.
- Supporting the launch of Freebar, a new professional LGBT networking group for barristers and those working in their chambers
- Developing the firm's CSR Art Programme which, this year, showcases work aimed at promoting LGBT inclusion.
- Rolling out Stonewall's 'Rainbow laces' campaign to Travers Smith's sports teams and beyond.
- Providing support for a number of LGBT organisations including The Albert Kennedy Trust, Just Like Us and the RVT, as well as providing extensive pro bono legal support to Stonewall.
In October 2016, Daniel Gerring, partner and Chair of the Travers Smith LGBT+ network, was also ranked at number 50 in OUTstanding and the Financial Times' 2016 list of 100 Leading Global LGBT Executives. In addition, Daniel was selected as a founding member of the new Law Society National LGBT Committee, representing the interest of LGBT solicitors across England and Wales.
Daniel Gerring said: "2016 was a momentous year for LGBT inclusion. Although there was much to celebrate, there were serious setbacks too, not least the terrible shootings in Orlando, reminding us that the battle towards full inclusion is far from over. I am especially proud of what we achieved this year in supporting not only our own LGBT people and their allies, but also other LGBT communities across the UK and beyond. We are delighted that this work has been recognised by Stonewall, and by the FT/OUTstanding, and we look forward to an equally effective 2017".
Travers Smith's work on LGBT inclusion is part of its wider diversity and inclusion programme, which last year saw the launch of its Be a Game Changer initiative, which aims to harness the power of sport to build diverse and collaborative teams.