Norton Rose Fulbright has set a target percentage for female partners globally, aiming for 30% representation within six years.

The firm currently has a 23% female partnership, with roughly the same proportion among London partners.

The firm also wants 30% female representation on each of its board and management committees.

The number of women on the firm's 20-strong global executive committee is already 30%, while its global supervisory board has 25% female representation.

Global chief executive Peter Martyr (pictured) said: "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."

The global executive committee has a career strategies programme in place to support female lawyers working towards senior positions.

Several other firms have also recently outlined similar gender targets for their partnerships. These include Berwin Leighton Paisner, which is aiming for a proportion of 30% by the end of 2018, and Herbert Smith Freehills, which has set a target of 30% by 2019.