Ashurst sets new five-year diversity targets

International law firm Ashurst LLP sets new diversity targets, including the introduction of ethnicity targets in the UK, a global LGBTI+ target and new gender equality targets, to be met by 2026.

In the UK, the firm aims to have at least 35% ethnically diverse trainees, “of whom 13% will be Black”, and 30% ethnically diverse legal and business staff, “of whom 13% will be Black”.

By 2026, the firm also aims to have 15% ethnically diverse partners and senior business leaders, “of whom 6% will be Black”.

On a global scale, the firm is aiming for 4% LGBTI+ representation at partnership and senior business services leader level, and 40% women, 40% men and 20% flexible (ie, women, men or non-binary persons) representation at partnership and senior business services leader level.  

Paul Jenkins, the firm’s global managing partner, spoke about the firm’s progress in certain areas but confirmed that there is “more to do”. He said: “The [Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging] action plan helps us make tangible progress towards our goal of being the most progressive global firm. The new targets and plan will continue to drive progress in putting inclusion, diversity and belonging at the heart of everything we do and will ensure we hold ourselves to account.”

Visit LawCareers.Net’s Diversity Hub for more on what law firms, chambers and legal education providers are doing to remove existing barriers and work towards a more diverse and inclusive profession.