Blandy & Blandy leads the way on gender equality at senior level

Reading-based solicitors firm Blandy & Blandy has a longstanding history of nurturing and supporting the careers of female colleagues.

Following the recent appointment of two new partners, eight of the firm’s 17 partners will be female, a flagship balance the firm is committed to maintaining.

This 44% female to male ratio is even more significant as the Chambers Student Guide's 2014 gender diversity survey showed that women comprise just 26% of the partnership at an average national or regional law firm in the UK.

86% of respondents to a Law Society survey carried out in 2012 agreed that flexible working practices are a critical factor in helping more women reach senior roles.

Many of the firm’s female partners and associates trained at the firm and have developed their careers with the support of colleagues at Blandy & Blandy. The firm offers flexible working arrangements and actively encourages a good work-life balance. 

Of the five colleagues recently promoted by the firm to partner or associate level, four are women. New partner Claire Dyer and colleagues Siobhan Baillie and Jessica Reid were cited in this year’s legal directories – impressive as entries typically focus heavily on partners.

In addition, the firm’s four trainee solicitors are all female as are 40% of the firm’s management team. Zoe McComb is a recently qualified solicitor in the firm’s family department. She said: “I was attracted to Blandy & Blandy because of the firm’s reputation, diverse range of work and the fact that I was encouraged to get hands on from an early stage.

"The thing I enjoy most about working here is that it has been clear from the first day I started that the firm really does value me and the contribution I make.” 

Partner Debbie Brett (pictured) added: "I trained at Blandy’s so have been here for all of my legal life. I consider myself lucky to come to work here every day with talented, likeable, people – I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of my colleagues for the work they do."