• Herbert Smith Freehills recognised for good practice on workplace race equality and inclusion
• Business in the Community listing now in its second year
• Successful organisations announced today at event in London

International law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has been recognised for its leadership on race equality and inclusion in the workplace by being included in Business in the Community’s Best Employers for Race listing, published today (30 October 2018).

Herbert Smith Freehills is one of 70 employers included in the 2018 listing, which recognises good practice on workplace race equality and inclusion and celebrates the public and private sector organisations making a difference in this area. The listing is unranked and is published in alphabetical order, and the successful organisations will be celebrated at an event in London this afternoon.

The firm's Multiculturalism Network supports employees from all ethnic, religious, faith and cultural backgrounds, providing a forum to network, discuss issues and explore opportunities for minority ethnic groups in the firm and in the wider context. Herbert Smith Freehills also works with the inter-law firm diversity network NOTICED, the UK's first law firm diversity network with a focus on multiculturalism, to progress the opportunities for education and networking in the legal industry.

To be considered for the listing, employers must demonstrate that they are putting leadership on race in place within their organisation, creating inclusive workplace cultures and taking action on leadership, progression and/or recruitment. They must also show how their policies are positively impacting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) employees within their organisations.

Herbert Smith Freehills' Regional Managing Partner UK, US and EMEA Ian Cox, commented:

"I'm proud that the firm has been recognised as a Best Employer for Race by Business in the Community, further demonstrating our commitment to creating a wholly diverse and inclusive culture. Our Multiculturalism Network supports all employees from all ethnic, religious, faith and cultural backgrounds, providing a forum to discuss the challenges and issues facing minority ethnic groups. We work with NOTICED, the UK's first inter-law firm diversity network with a focus on multiculturalism, to increase opportunities for education and networking in the legal industry and through partnerships with Rare Recruitment and Aspiring Solicitors to ensure greater access to law for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students. I am confident that we can build on our success as we continue to increase the diversity within the firm".

Sandra Kerr OBE, race equality director at Business in the Community, said:

“Congratulations to Herbert Smith Freehills on being named in the Best Employers for Race 2018 listing. They have demonstrated their leadership and commitment to creating fair, diverse and inclusive workplaces that work for all employees, including those from BAME backgrounds. In a rapidly changing global business environment, it’s vital that organisations make the most of all the diverse talent available to them to successfully compete, and [organisation] is doing just that. I hope more employers will learn from their example, seize the moment to act on workplace race equality and following the example set out by the leading employers in this listing by signing up for Race at Work Charter launched earlier this month.”

Business in the Community’s Best Employers for Race listing was first piloted in 2017 following a recommendation from the Government-backed McGregor-Smith Review of race in the workplace. The listing aims to ‘identify the best employers in terms of diversity’ and showcase organisations that are leading on workplace race equality. The Best Employers for Race listing also acts as the entry process for the Business in the Community Race Equality Awards, which are now in their 12^th year.

The full list of Best Employers for Race and Race Equality Awards Winners and Highly Commended organisations are available via the Business in the Community Awards: http://race.bitc.org.uk.

About Herbert Smith Freehills

Operating from 27 offices across Asia Pacific, EMEA and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice. The firm provides many of the world’s most important organisations with access to market-leading dispute resolution, projects and transactional legal advice, combined with expertise in a number of global industry sectors, including Banks, Consumer products, Energy, Financial buyers, Infrastructure & Transport, Mining, Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Real estate, TMT and Manufacturing & Industrials.

www.herbertsmithfreehills.com

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