News Clifford Chance wins Gold in Stonewall Global Workplace Equality Index

Clifford Chance has won the gold rating in the Stonewall Global Workplace Equality Index on its first time entering the benchmark. The index is a benchmarking tool for global LGBTQ+ workplace equality, designed to identify how global firms are progressing towards LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace.

Charles Adams, Global Managing Partner welcomed the award: “Winning this global recognition for the firm is very important to us because it reflects that our commitment to inclusion for our LGBTQ+ colleagues is for every part of our team across the globe. LGBTQ+ equality is simply not a reality for most people in the world. We have seen over the last year that some countries are making big strides forwards, whilst others have reversed progress, so it is clear that there is significant further to be done and we need to be as determined to deliver inclusion for our LGBTQ+ colleagues as ever.”

Over the last 12 months the firm has seen the expansion of our Arcus networks globally, to the ground-breaking LGBTQ+ pro bono work delivered across so many countries.

Additional initiatives which were included in the global Stonewall submission include:

• The firm’s global LGBT+ partner target of 3% by 2025
• The online and in-person Pride art show, exhibiting the artwork of LGBT+ and supporter artists in office spaces, now in its 15^th year
• Our global Procurement team’s work to change the environment and culture in which we operate to champion the firm’s agenda and promote the benefits and importance of D&I to our team, firm, suppliers, clients and wider profession
• A cross-regional and award winning reverse mentoring scheme which pairs up less senior LGBT+ members of staff with senior leaders to talk discuss and celebrate LGBT+ experiences within the firm

This award follows the multiple regional awards and accolades received by Clifford Chance this year for its work on LGBTQ+ inclusion including:

• Gold Status in the Australian AWEI workplace index
• Third place overall in the UK Stonewall workplace index
• ‘Employee Network of the Year’ at the Queer Student Awards

A number of our colleagues have also been recognised:

OutStanding Award list 2020 – Executive Leaders:

• Ilse van Gasteren
• Narind Singh

OutStanding Award list 2020 – Future Leaders:

• Eraldo d’Atri
• Nate Eastwood
• Christie-Lee Malek

British LGBT Awards ‘Business Ally Award’ – Laura Yeates
Prout at Work ‘Top LGBT+ Voices award – David Charles
Shortlisted in the Attitude Awards for ‘Top 10 LGBT+ future trailblazer’ – Tate Smith
Shortlisted in the Rainbow Honours Awards for ‘Corporate Champion’ – Georgie Court

Further information on Clifford Chance’s commitment to LGBT+ rights and equality can be found in its annual Inclusion Report and website.