The Purpose of the Diversity Committee
The Diversity Committee is the forum within Bird & Bird with responsibility for addressing matters concerning diversity throughout the life of the firm and for implementing the Diversity Policy. The Committee reports directly to the London Executive Group and is actively engaged with the Human Resources and Learning & Development functions in recruitment, training and career development within the firm.
Who makes up the Committee?
The Committee has been established initially with seven members but is intended to become progressively more representative of the firm. Membership is open to everyone in the firm and it is intended that the committee be expanded to include two additional members in the near future. If you are interested in promoting diversity within the firm please contact any member of the Committee.
Present members:
Ben Girdlestone: extension number 6470
Jane Hunter: extension number 6045
Mark Malone: extension number 6198
Rod Pails: extension number 6251
Jane Player: extension number 6260
Simon Shooter: extension number 6456
Victoria Tinham: extension number 6136
The members of the Committee are available to any member of the firm who may have concerns or issues relating to diversity. The Committee very much welcome comments and suggestions from the firm on our Diversity Policy, diversity issues and how the benefits of diversity can best be realised at Bird & Bird.
DIVERSITY NEWS
Recruitment
Our recruitment policies and processes have been reviewed with input from the Diversity Committee. We see our recruitment process as being one of the critical areas for the continued improvement of diversity within the firm ensuring that our search for first rate staff is focused on merit irrespective of gender, political and religious belief, race, disability, age or sexual orientation.
11% of the 2008 trainee in-take are from an ethnic minority background.
Learning & Development
Diversity training is the means by which everybody learns about diversity issues and it helps to ensure that everybody understands and engages with the diversity mission.
The firm's Learning & Development Department is currently building a range of diversity courses and workshops. More information will be provided about these initiatives in the near future.
In the meantime, if you would like to participate in an external Diversity Workshop, or would like coaching or support around a particular diversity issue, please contact the Learning & Development Department.
Sub-committees
The Diversity Committee acts as a steering committee for diversity within Bird & Bird. The Committee would like to establish sub-committees to allow more detailed focus to be given to specific diversity topics including gender (including flexible working hours, maternity and paternity); sexual orientation; race; disability and age. We are very interested in hearing from any member of staff who would like to volunteer to assist with the setting up of such sub-committees.
Keeping pace with the rest of the Business World
Bird & Bird is seeking to set up a discussion forum for diversity issues to provide an opportunity for diversity officers from our clients and other businesses to meet to share ideas and experiences. We will be hosting the first of our diversity forum seminars in the New Year. The forum will also benefit from access to seminars from outside speakers on diversity issues and workshops on the diversity aspects of employment law and other related matters. The Diversity Committee believes that the sharing of experience and opinions in an environment that includes different industries and outlooks will enhance our understanding and help shape our view of the way ahead.
Members of the committee are involved in diversity focused events and have participated in a number of external diversity programmes including the Equality & Diversity Forum led by The Law Society. A delegation will be attending a client sponsored “21st Century Lawyer Diversity Event” in January 2008.
