International law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has been named in the first ever Best Employers for Race listing, published by Business in the Community. 66 public and private sector organisations have been included in the list, which is unranked with organisations listed in alphabetical order.
The Best Employers for Race was launched as a recommendation made in the McGregor-Smith Review of race in the workplace earlier this year to identify the UK’s best employers in terms of diversity and showcase best practice on race equality in UK workplaces. Employers in the listing have demonstrated how they are putting leadership on race into place within their organisations, and collectively represent the best employers for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in the UK.
Successful organisations had to show that they are driving change at an organisational level and creating inclusive workplace cultures. They did so by providing evidence of actions they have taken in at least one of three areas - leadership, progression and recruitment – and the impact this has had on their BAME employees.
Sandra Kerr OBE, Race Equality Director at Business in the Community, said:
“Congratulations to all the organisations that have been named in the first ever Best Employers for Race listing. They are taking a comprehensive and strategic approach to tackling racial inequalities within their organisations and have demonstrated their commitment to this agenda. However, there is still room for improvement and we would strongly encourage more employers to step up to the plate on this issue by entering the 2018 listing and encouraging businesses within their supply chain to do the same. If employers truly want their workplaces to reflect the clients, communities and customers they serve, the time to act is now.”
Herbert Smith Freehills' Regional Managing Partner UK, US and EMEA Ian Cox, commented:
"In securing a place on the first ever Best Employers for Race listing, the firm has further demonstrated its commitment to creating a wholly diverse and inclusive culture. Multiculturalism is one of the firm's global priorities and I am proud of the progress we have made in this area. I am confident that we can build on our success as we continue to increase the diversity within the firm."