Norton Rose Fulbright announces global gender diversity targets

Target of 30% female partnership by 2020.

Global legal practice Norton Rose Fulbright announces details of its global diversity and inclusion targets, with an aim to reach 30 per cent female partners in 2020. This is in addition to a target of 30 per cent female partners on all Board and Management Committees globally.

The targets will support the existing diversity and inclusion strategy set out by the practice’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council (GDIAC). GDIAC was established in December 2012 to provide a source of co-ordinated and consistent leadership on diversity and inclusion best practice globally. Norton Rose Fulbright’s global board has set out the following:

• 30% female representation on all Board and Management Committees globally
• 30% female partners globally

The Global Executive Committee already has 30 per cent female representation and the international practice has already implemented a number of additional global initiatives to promote gender diversity, including:

• Careers strategies programme; a global programme providing opportunities and support to women at Norton Rose Fulbright on their way to senior positions
• Inclusive leadership training and unconscious bias education
• Women’s networks focused on providing learning, development and networking opportunities for women within the practice

Peter Martyr, global chief executive, said:

“These targets are more than just statistics and are a way of engaging our people with the importance of gender diversity and creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our global diversity and inclusion initiatives play a pivotal role in retaining and developing people within Norton Rose Fulbright and we now have a clear goal on which to focus our efforts.

“Our priority is to continue to be an employer of choice by valuing difference and promoting a culture of respect for each individual and encouraging workforce diversity in all aspects and at all levels. In doing so, we create an environment where everyone can realise their full potential and career ambitions on the basis of merit and skill.

“Diversity and inclusion are inseparable and gender diversity is a key part of this. Our strategy however has a broad focus and in order for us to continue to innovate and succeed it will become even more important for us to work with talented people from different backgrounds.”