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Our networks

We strive to create and maintain an inclusive work environment where all of our people are seen as individuals and are each supported and encouraged to achieve, regardless of any difference.

StandOUT

StandOUT is our LGBT+ network, welcoming both LGBT+ staff and allies. Our LGBT+ network has been formed with the objectives of promoting equality in the workplace and fostering stronger ties with our clients and other contacts. The LGBT+ network provides a supportive framework for our LGBT+ staff and Allies by representing their views and promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion both internally and externally of Bird & Bird.

The LGBT+ network's mission statement is to:

  • ensure an inclusive and respectful environment for all staff;
  •  raise awareness of and represent  the views and issues of LGBT+ staff and Allies within Bird & Bird;
  • provide a support network for LGBT+ staff and Allies;
  • provide a support network for staff with LGBT+ family and friends;
  • provide personal and professional development for the network members;
  • offer confidential support when needed; and
  • provide guidance to Bird & Bird as an employer on policy and how to enhance its diversity strategy. 

Embrace

Embrace is our multi-cultural network that has been formed with the objectives of promoting and celebrating racial and cultural diversity in the workplace and nurturing stronger relations with our clients and allies. Embrace is a non-exclusive community that welcomes both members and allies of all cultural and racial backgrounds. The network will provide a supportive community for anyone within Bird & Bird who relates to, identifies with, appreciates or celebrates culture, religion, history and experience.

Our Embrace network's mission statement is to:

  • Educate: Raise awareness of multiculturalism in the workplace, as well as on cultural and historical occasions of importance to multi-cultural communities (e.g. Black History Month)
  • In-reach: Create an internal network for supporting, sharing and celebrating racial and cultural diversity within Bird & Bird.
  • Outreach: Collaborate with HR and leadership at Bird & Bird towards enhancing its diversity policy and recruitment strategies, and continuing to engage with and give back to multi-cultural communities.
  • Social Events: Demonstrate through music and food how multi-cultures have a good time!

Neuro Network

Our Neurodiversity Network, the intention of which is to celebrate diverse minds and all ways of thinking, to raise awareness and to facilitate a better understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace.

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term to celebrate the diversity of human brains. Celebrated under the banner of neurodiversity in the workplace are profiles you may have heard of such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia. Neurodivergent people can bring unique abilities and qualities to the workplace, but also face particular challenges and can feel unsupported.

We want to change that, and to make sure that we as a firm provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all our people. We welcome anyone who would like to join the network, including those who are neurodivergent, whether diagnosed, self-diagnosed or undiagnosed with a neurodiverse profile and people who want to learn more about how to support neurodivergent colleagues, family members and friends.

Beyond Backgrounds

Beyond Backgrounds is our internal social mobility network. The network’s mission is to foster an inclusive and supportive workplace culture for individuals from less privileged and more diverse social backgrounds in all that we do, from how we recruit to how we promote. We want to ensure that, irrespective of social background, each and every individual at Bird & Bird feels valued and included, and that they can flourish and develop at Bird & Bird, as their authentic self.

Beyond Backgrounds network is centred around three key pillars:

  • Recruitment & Outreach: improving access to the profession for those from less privileged and more diverse social backgrounds.
  • Retention & Progression: ensuring that individuals from less privileged and more diverse social backgrounds want to stay at the firm and are able to progress and occupy leadership positions at the firm.
  • Shining a spotlight: raising awareness and increasing engagement in relation to all matters social mobility-related.