BLP launches LGBT initiative backed by Stonewall
Firm to host all-day event aimed at encouraging graduates into the City at its headquarters next month
June 01, 2016 at 09:59 AM
3 minute read
Berwin Leighton Paisner has launched AuthentiCity – a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) event aimed at encouraging LGBT students and graduates to consider a career at a City law firm.
The inaugural event, supported by LGBT campaign group Stonewall, will take place on 6 July at BLP's City headquarters.
The event was set up by BLP, which then invited Stonewall and other UK-based businesses to participate.
The firm partnered with insurance company Aviva, professional services company Jones Lang Lasalle, investment bank JP Morgan, Big Four auditor KPMG and investment manager M&G.
All participants are equal partners and will each be represented at the one-day event. It will run annually and the venue will rotate between participating firms.
The key aim is to give UK-based LGBT students and graduates an introduction to each industry sector, as well as insight into being LBGT in that sector and company.
The event will include a question and answer session with senior members of staff, along with career workshops.
London banking partner and LGBT champion Daisy Reeves said: "We aim to dispel the myth about the nature of City life when it comes to LGBT issues and therefore start to help attendees achieve their professional ambitions."
Reeves co-founded the firm's LGBT group a decade ago and became LGBT champion last year when BLP launched its inclusivity strategy.
Kris Phelps, group manager at Stonewall, added: "The firms involved in AuthentiCity are sending a clear message to LGBT graduates and apprentices that their sexual orientation and gender identity will have no impact on their career development."
Earlier this year, Stonewall unveiled its annual top 100 LGBT-friendly employers ranking. Magic circle firm Clifford Chance (CC) entered the top 10 while Pinsent Masons retained its spot as the highest rated law firm.
The list highlights the best-performing employers on Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index, an annual audit of workplace culture for LGBT staff. This year, Stonewall received 60,506 responses to the staff survey, making it one of the largest national employment surveys in Britain.
BLP did not appear in the ranking but has made efforts in the past to show its support for LGBT employees in the workplace.
In 2011, it spearheaded DiversCity with Herbert Smith Freehills, an event for LGBT students and graduates who wish to pursue a career in law in the City. It is now in its sixth year and a total of 15 law firms participate.
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