Global Law firm Shearman & Sterling has been named a top employer in the U.K. for LGBTQ+ inclusion by Stonewall, Europe’s biggest LGBTQ+ charity. The firm has also been awarded a Gold Award for commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion at work.

Stonewall has today launched its annual Top 100 Employers List for 2023 and Shearman & Sterling was recognised for its work on supporting LGBTQ+ staff to be themselves at work. The list is the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are.

Shearman & Sterling secured its ranking via a submission to the Stonewall Global Workplace Equality Index. Regarded as one of the leading benchmarking tools for employers to develop inclusive workplaces, it allows organisations to demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion across seven areas of employment policy and practice, examining both global working structures and operational in-country activity.

Mariyam Hassan, Director of HR, Inclusion & Wellbeing at Shearman & Sterling, said: “We are thrilled to receive this recognition for our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. At Shearman & Sterling, diversity and inclusion are part of our fabric, interwoven in who we are and all we do. Our continued commitment to these values is a long-term priority for the firm and a fundamental part of our strategy. This recognition is a testament to our continued efforts to create an inclusive environment and a reflection of the efforts of many colleagues across the firm who work together to embed inclusion into our workplace on a daily basis. We are delighted to celebrate this achievement and determined to continue to build on this success.”

Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall, said: “It’s been fantastic to see all of the work put in by Shearman & Sterling over the past year to create a workplace where LGBTQ+ staff feel free to thrive as themselves. For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are. We’re incredibly proud to see so many new entrants from a range of sectors on this year’s list, who are committed to making LGBTQ+ people’s lives better.”

The full Top 100 list this year can be found on the Stonewall website.