Bristows

Diversity at Bristows:

The Inclusion Group

Bristows established its “Equality and Diversity Committee” in 2007, with the aim of championing equality of opportunity and diversity in all aspects of the firm’s business. Committee members include a number of partners, associates of all levels, secretaries and business support staff. While having a diverse workforce is key to success, making sure that everyone within the firm feels included is also an important factor, so the committee recently re-branded to become “The Inclusion Group”. This refreshed focus on the inclusion of everyone at Bristows was launched in 2020 and has offered a new lease of life to the activities that members of the Inclusion Group organise across each year. In the past year, events hosted by the group have included a Black History Month talk on the forgotten stories of black history within Britain and a celebration of the first 100 years of women in law.

The Turing Network

The Turing Network was formed in 2007 and was the firm’s first employee network group. Named after Alan Turing, this network aims to provide a safe space for all LGBT+ partners and employees to support each other and for allies to show their commitment to inclusion in relation to LGBT+ issues. The network offers role models, peer support and mentoring for LGBT+ people working at Bristows and also works closely with external LGBT+ groups to progress equality for all within the legal sector. The network runs a vast array of independent and collaborative events throughout each year that raise awareness of current topics within the community, celebrate the unique identities within the community and offer support to the wider community.

Bristows’ Newest Staff Networks

Over the past year, the Inclusion Group has built on the success of the Turing Network to launch a number of employee networks – building a stronger sense of community around areas of diversity including gender, disability and mental health, and working parents and carers.

The Women’s Network was officially launched on International Women’s Day 2020 and, with the support of both our female and male partners, will work to drive equality and opportunity for all genders within the workplace. The work at Bristows to empower women in the city started more than 20 years ago, when the firm appointed the first female Joint Managing Partner of a city firm. With more than two thirds of the Bristows workforce identifying as female, this network will work for years to come to progress equality for all in the legal sector and across the city as a whole.

The firm’s wellbeing programme has grown tremendously over the last few years and has now culminated in the launch of an official Wellbeing network whose key focus is the physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing of our people. The group has an opportunity or activity to suit everyone and can give you the time to focus on your wellbeing, so you can be your best self for your family, friends and colleagues.

The Working Families group was launched in 2020 and has created a space for all working parents and carers to offer and receive support throughout all stages of parenthood, caring responsibilities and their career. This group offers a number fun initiatives and informative sessions to make life at home and at Bristows suitable for everyone.