Gender Equality

Everyone should be given the opportunity and support to succeed in their career, regardless of gender.

Women make up over half our business at Ashurst, and we seek to ensure gender balance in opportunities for our people to develop and thrive.

We are making excellent progress, however we recognise that those who identify as women still face unique challenges and barriers in society and in the workplace, and therefore continue to benefit from more focused support to succeed at work.

Our Gender Targets Driving Change

We take a strategic approach to progress and hold ourselves accountable to deliver on our ambitious IDB commitments.

We’ve set ourselves targets for gender, which keep us focused on creating real progress in our business. By 2026, we aim to have:

• 40% representation of women at partnership and senior leader level
• 40% representation of men at partnership and senior leader level
• 20% flexible representation (either women, men, or gender diverse/non-binary) at partnership and senior leader level

Our Leader:  A Champion For Change

Our Global Managing Partner, Paul Jenkins, was one of the first CEOs of a law firm to join the Champions of Change Coalition in Australia. This globally recognised coalition is focused on advancing more and diverse women in leadership. Men of power and influence step up beside women leaders, forming a high-profile coalition to lead and be accountable for change on gender equality issues.

A Powerful Platform

Complementing our strategic approach and targets, we’re similarly committed to tangible actions that address gender equality for our people: from best-practice benchmarking activities and gender pay gap reporting, through to career development and tailored training that boost skills and build client and practice management experience.

Our hybrid working and family-friendly policies provide tools and flexibility that empower our people to find a balance that works.

Our Women’s Network provides a powerful platform for building supportive networks, and sharing stories and experiences, as well as sponsorship and mentoring opportunities for women. They also work with colleagues including our LGBTI+ network, to ensure all genders receive the help they need to succeed.

We’re supporting and empowering women at Ashurst every day.

At Ashurst, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging Are At The Heart Of Everything We Do

By celebrating key events and observances, sponsoring employee networks, shaping policies and activities, building learning and understanding, and offering tools, benefits and services to our people and our clients, we aspire to bring Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging to life and foster an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all backgrounds and perspectives.

As a client or professional considering working with us, we invite you to learn more about how we value and celebrate diversity, foster inclusion, and cultivate a sense of belonging for all.

We know that by doing so, we not only provide exceptional legal services leveraging true diversity of thought and best practice in the IDB space, but also make a positive impact on the world around us.