Diversity and inclusion
Individuals. Together.
Together, we are creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can achieve their potential.
Creating an environment where difference is valued, and people feel they belong is important to us. We recognise that diversity and inclusion is central to making us a stronger firm.
Aligned to our purpose and values, people, culture, and responsible business strategies, our diversity and inclusion priorities are:
- Belong – build our inclusive culture
To create a culture where all are able to contribute and excel. This includes a focus on everyday behaviours and accountability, inclusive leadership, and mental health and wellbeing.
- Engage – increase engagement
To encourage action for inclusion across multiple diversity dimensions, and to promote a positive, confident, authentic dialogue around diversity and inclusion. To engage with our colleagues, clients and the broader community.
- Excel – progress diverse talent
To enhance the quality of the career experience of diverse professionals at the firm, and to hire, retain and promote diverse talent to senior roles.
Our continually evolving approach recognises the complexity and interwoven nature of diversity. As well as targeted initiatives and programmes, we look for opportunities to bring together different groups, both within our firm and in partnership with external organisations.
Our five-year diversity targets and commitments are ambitious. They build on the progress we have made in recent years and, in recognising that we need to go much further, support our desire to accelerate the pace of change.
We publish our Diversity and Inclusion Review annually, highlighting our progress against these targets. We are proud to have made significant progress over the last 12 months; we are on track to meet the majority of our targets, and some ahead of schedule.
We will continue to evolve our efforts as we recognise the complexity and intersectional nature of diversity.
Our focus areas
Freshfields networks
Our networks help attract and retain diverse talent and empower our people to bring their full selves to work. We encourage everyone to participate as allies to build empathy, learn and stand up for their colleagues.
Freshfields networks
Asian Affinity Network (UK) and Asian/Pacific/South Asian/American (APSAA) (US)
Both are committed to representing and serving the needs of our Asian communities through solidarity, advocacy and engagement.
Black Employee Resource Group (BERG) (US)
BERG have been active in a range of efforts including recognising Black History Month in the US and advising on where we make investment as a firm to advance racial justice.
Campos Frescos (US)
For colleagues interested in Latin American and Hispanic cultures hosting a number of events and networking opportunities.
Christian Fellowship
An opportunity for colleagues to learn more, network and provide support to others.
Freshfields Enabled (UK and CE)
Enabled brings together colleagues with disabilities or neurodiverse conditions, those with caring responsibilities and allies, with the aim of working together to become a more inclusive workplace.
Gender Equality Network (GEN) (Manchester)
Manchester’s GEN rebranded in 2018, to promote more dialogue around gender in the workplace and the important role everyone has in making the firm more inclusive for all.
Black Affinity Network (BAN)
BAN sees employees of Black African and Black Afro-Caribbean heritage from across Freshfields come together from across the globe for professional development and networking. BAN supports our commitment to broadening Black representation at all levels of the firm and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Halo (LGBTQ+) and Halo Champions
Halo is a network for all LGBTQ+ colleagues and is one of Freshfields’ largest employee networks with more than 100 members across 20 of our 29 offices. We also have more than 400 Halo Champions across the firm who do not (openly) identify as LGBTQ+ but want to support their colleagues and promote LGBTQ+ inclusion at work.
Jewish Network
Set up to promote awareness and celebrate Jewish religious practices, culture and life throughout the firm, and to provide a community of support for Jewish colleagues across the globe.
Mental Health Affinity Network (MHAN) (UK)
The MHAN supports members and Freshfields colleagues through raising awareness about the importance of normalising conversations around and promoting good mental health.
Muslim Network
This network provides a space for Muslim colleagues to come together across the firm.
Social Mobility Network (UK)
The network aims to promote inclusion by increasing awareness and understanding around social mobility, supporting people to connect and share experiences, and enabling people to work together to break down some of the many hurdles – both visible and invisible – that people can face when seeking to join, and build a career, in the legal profession.
Valor and Valor Champions (US)
Our employee network for veteran and ex-military employees.
Women’s Networks
Our various regional networks engage in a wide variety of activities, including mentoring, networking and professional development skills training. They seek to represent and amplify the voices of women at work, and address a range of issues affecting women.
Awards
The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2023
Mansfield Rule Certified Plus 2023 (UK & US)
WILEF Gold Standard Certification 2023 (UK and US)
Stonewall Top Global Employer & Gold Special Recognition
Investing in Ethnicity’s Top 25 Employer and Exemplary Employer 2023 (UK)