South: Law firm Blake Morgan praised for LGBT commitment

Law firm Blake Morgan has jumped 162 places in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. The firm is among 445 organisations to be ranked in the index which recognises its commitment to supporting LGBT+ employees.

Organisations are asked by Stonewall to demonstrate their work and progress in 10 areas of employment and practice. This information is used to determine the rankings, along with an anonymous survey of more than 90,000 employees across participating employers.

The firm's leap in the index to number 181 recognises Blake Morgan's commitment to ensuring that its employees are respected for who they are regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity and for raising awareness of LGBT+ issues in the workplace.

To help create an environment where all staff can be themselves and succeed, last year the firm launched BM Pride, a networking group for LGBT+ staff and allies within Blake Morgan. Among other things, the network aims to promote the interests of LGBT+ staff and its clients and business partners within the LGBT+ community.   

Over the past few years, the firm has worked on a number of campaigns to identify ways of challenging discrimination and stereotyping in the legal industry and to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation, homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. It has also supported a series of events including the All Our Trans Tomorrow's Conference hosted by the National Union of Students to support and promote equality for future generations of lawyers.

John Hamilton, partner and LGBT+ champion at Blake Morgan, said: “Blake Morgan is committed to creating a workplace environment that is inclusive of all and I've been delighted to see a wide range of inclusion initiatives being supported and promoted across our firm this year.  This is our third year in the index and our biggest leap yet. We are grateful for the support and advice that we receive from Stonewall and pleased that our work and dedication has been recognised in this year's ranking.  We forward to continuing our progress with our focus for the coming year very much on the launch of our Allies programme in April and hosting a number of Stonewall education events throughout the year. "

Commenting on the ranking, Reg Kheraj at Stonewall said:  "Congratulations to Blake Morgan on their ranking this year.  It is testament to all the hard work and success of the last year and the dedication of everyone involved. It is great to see the firm making huge strides on LGBT inclusion."

Blake Morgan is a Stonewall Diversity Champion, the leading employers' programme for ensuring all LGBT+ staff are accepted without exception in the workplace.

The firm also has a dedicated equality, diversity and inclusion committee, and a wealth of resources in an internal training academy which actively seek to raise awareness and provide support and guidance to all within the business.