Ashurst has made up 14 female lawyers as part of an enlarged promotions round of 24 globally.

Women represent 58% of the group, meaning that the firm has exceeded its 2014 target to have women make up 40% of new partner promotions.

Last year, Ashurst made up just four women in a 19-strong round. This equated to 21% of the promotions, despite the 2014 target.

In 2014, the firm set out a range of other gender targets, including one to have women make up one quarter of the equity. Previously, the firm set out to achieve this in 2018. Despite missing this deadline, the new female additions mean the proportion of women in the firm's partnership is now 17% female, up from 15%.

The firm's Australia offices have seen the bulk of the promotions, with 10 lawyers made up across its bases in Sydney and Melbourne.

Nine of the new partners are in London, up from seven last year, while the firm's Hong Kong office has gained two new partners, plus one in Tokyo.

On average, 32% of the firm's new partner promotions during the past five years globally have been female.

Ashurst managing partner Paul Jenkins said: "I am very pleased that we have exceeded our gender target for new partner promotions this year, which reflects the firm's focus on identifying, supporting and developing the pipeline of female leaders.

"We wanted to improve on our gender targets and whilst we have made progress, we remain very conscious of how much more needs to be done."

The new promotions come into effect today (1 May 2018).

Ashurst partner promotions 2018

Umberto Antonelli – projects, Milan

Kerion Ball – global markets, London

Emma Butler – digital economy, Melbourne

Tim Cant – finance regulatory, London

Priscilla Chen1 – global markets, Hong Kong

Camilla Clemente – restructuring and special situations, Sydney

Stuart D'Aloisio – IP/media, Melbourne

Karen Dwyer – digital economy, Sydney

Ru-Woei Foong – restructuring and special situations, London

Elena Giuffrè – projects, Milan

Anna Hermelin – projects, Tokyo

Laura Ho – global loans, London

Justin Jones – competition, Melbourne

Huiyeon Kim – corporate, Hong Kong

James Knight – global markets, London

Krista Payne – projects, Sydney

Catherine Pedler – dispute resolution, Perth

Tim Regis – real estate, London

Drew Sainsbury – restructuring and special situations, London

Caroline Smart – global markets, Sydney

Kathy Srdanovic (pictured) – employment, Sydney

Jonathan Turner – projects, London

Tara Waters – corporate, London

Sanjay Wavde – tax, Sydney