Charles Russell Speechlys has received a Gold Award, for the third year running, from Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index for its commitment and dedication to being an LGBTQ+ inclusive employer.
This year, they have improved their ranking in the Top 100 Employer’s List by 17 places and have risen to 15th. Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List 2024 is the UK’s leading ranking of employers within the public, private and third sectors and ranks organisations on the inclusivity of their workplace.
Their employee-led LGBTQ+ Network, co-chaired by Richard Honey and James Bateman, plays an invaluable role in their achievements and progress in this space.
This commitment is driven from the top by their dedicated taskforce, the Future Firm Group, established by their Advisory Council to lead on the Firm’s DEI strategy and action planning. The taskforce is made up of senior leaders from across the business and is co-chaired by their Managing and Senior Partners. They also have a dedicated DEI team and active employee-led DEI Networks which focus on specific strands of DEI.
In 2023, they established their LGBTQ+ Action Plan, which reflects on the exemplary work they have done to date (led by our LGBTQ+ Network), where they want to be as a Firm, and practical steps they are taking to get there. Charles Russell Speechlys also has Action Plans in place for all other key areas of focus of their DEI Strategy: gender; race, ethnicity, religion & belief; social mobility; disability & neurodiversity; mental health & wellbeing; and working parents & careers.
Karen Stages, Chief People Officer at Charles Russell Speechlys (she/her) said:
“At Charles Russell Speechlys, we are committed to developing an increasingly diverse, inclusive and supportive workplace, where everyone can be themselves, feel valued and that they can thrive and belong. We recognise that with greater diversity comes more innovation, diversity of thought and approach, providing better outcomes for our clients and our Firm. Over the past few years, we have taken significant strides forward, but we recognise that we still have further to go.
“Our rise into the top 15 employers in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index demonstrates our commitment to continually improving our workplace environment so that LGBTQ+ employees feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work. I am very proud of the work of our LGBTQ+ Network, our Future Firm Group and each and every one of us at the Firm that is fostering an inclusive workplace culture.”
James Bateman (Associate, he/him) and Richard Honey (Senior Associate, he/him) – co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ Network at Charles Russell Speechlys said:
“According to Stonewall, more than a third of LGBT staff have hidden who they are at work for fear of discrimination. We all perform our best work when we feel comfortable bringing our authentic selves to work – and for LGBTQ+ people, that means not having to hide who you are or who you love, while at work. That is why it is so important for us, as co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ Network, to continually strive for a more inclusive working environment.
“Improving our ranking for the third consecutive year is a testament to our Firmwide approach and dedication and we are very pleased to have achieved this result.”
Colin Macfarlane, Director of Programmes and Income at Stonewall (he/him) said:
“Implementing inclusive practices and policies is vital for employers who wish to attract and retain top LGBTQ+ talent. The Workplace Equality Index draws participants from diverse industries and sectors, all of whom understand that inclusivity is the future and are leading the way in this vital change. By championing LGBTQ+ employees, you are fostering a happy and motivated workforce and contributing to a UK where LGBTQ+ people can thrive as their authentic selves.”
The full Top 100 list this year can be found on the Stonewall website, as well as further information about the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion, and more information on how the Top 100 list is created.