Penningtons Manches climbs Stonewall’s Equality Index rankings

Posted: 31/01/2018

Penningtons Manches has jumped over 100 places in the latest rankings published by Stonewall to recognise organisations which have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improving LGBTQ+ equality.

Published annually, the Workplace Equality Index is open to both public and private sector employers and is widely acknowledged as a powerful benchmarking tool. It was the first register to include a section on trans equality. Organisations participate by answering a series of detailed questions about their efforts to promote LGBTQ+ rights both internally and in the wider community. Submissions are then scored by Stonewall before the results are celebrated publicly. All participants receive tailored feedback from Stonewall on their submission, highlighting initiatives which have been particularly successful as well as areas requiring additional focus.

Penningtons Manches has ranked 191^st in the 2018 list, securing a strong position in the top half of the rankings. The result is a testament to two years of hard work by the firm’s LGBTQ+ committee, headed by associate Alex Hawley with active involvement from partners James Stewart, Jane Craig and Paul Mander.

They have been enthusiastically supported by staff across the firm who have taken part in activities such as baking rainbow themed cupcakes for an ‘Equali-tea’ fundraiser held in each of Penningtons Manches’ six UK offices, wearing rainbow laces in sporting fixtures, and attending events held under the firm’s broad based diversity and inclusion programme, known as ‘Pennclusion’.

A new series of initiatives is planned for 2018 and the firm will place a particular emphasis on improving the experience of its trans and gender non-binary staff, clients and visitors.

Chief executive David Raine comments: “This is an excellent result. We are proud to be able to offer an environment in which all our staff are encouraged to be themselves and will continue to develop our policies and practices to ensure that we draw on the widest possible pool of talent in all aspects of our work.”

Return to news headlines