Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has set a new target to ensure 30% of its partnership is female by the end of 2018.

The plans, which were approved by the firm's board last week, have been led by employment head Lisa Mayhew and real estate head Chris de Pury.

BLP latest diversity figures put the proportion of female partners in the firm's UK partnership at 22%.

The firm will also design new training programmes for partners and senior employees, including a new mentoring programme, and develop targeted development programmes for women across the firm.

The corporate and real estate practices are piloting flexible working initiatives, including a work from home scheme, which the employment, litigation and real estate finance teams have adopted.

Over the summer BLP formed an 11-member diversity and inclusion committee, chaired by Mayhew. It comprises a mix of partners and business services staff. Last December the firm also appointed graduate recruitment manager Claire England as its first resourcing and diversity manager.

Mayhew (pictured) said: "We are passionate about ensuring BLP remains a fulfilling and progressive place to work and this target, and the measures that accompany it, will help create an environment which enables different people to be themselves. This is important to our clients and it is important to us."

Several major law firms have set similar diversity targets in recent months, including Pinsent Masons, Herbert Smith Freehills and Baker & McKenzie.