Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has become the latest leading firm to put diversity at the top of the agenda and is mulling the introduction of targets for its female partner count.

The firm, which currently boasts a 24% female partnership, has yet to decide on a target ratio or when a date by which any such target should be reached.

BLP's board met at the end of July to discuss proposals put forward by head of employment Lisa Mayhew and head of real estate Chris de Pury, the diversity and inclusion co-sponsors at the firm.

The team is set to make another presentation to the board at the end of this month, with a decision likely to follow shortly after.

"We are looking at what appropriate targets might be for our business," said Mayhew. "However, for us it is more about inclusivity because we want to create an environment where different people can be themselves. This is both a positive for our own people and it also means that we can resemble and relate to our clients. 

"The specific issue of targets is something we felt we needed to look at as part of this wider assessment of inclusion and diversity. We have been speaking with HR, department managing partners and the board to drill down on whether it is a concept we wish to introduce and if so, what would be the specifics around the targets."

BLP formed an 11-member diversity and inclusion committee this summer, is chaired by Mayhew. It comprises a mix of partners and business services staff.

Meanwhile the firm's real estate and corporate practices are piloting flexible working initiatives, including a work from home scheme, which the employment and litigation teams have also adopted.

A spate of firms have recently set targets for female partner numbers, including Herbert Smith Freehills which has outlined a target of 25% by May 2017 and at least 30% by May 2019.