A Bristol-headquartered national law firm and an energy giant also based in the city have been named among the top UK firms taking action to improve gender equality across all levels of the business.
TLT and OVO are listed in the prestigious The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2024, which champions firms with a continued commitment to addressing gender inequality in the workplace. 
It is run by Business in the Community (BITC), the UK’s largest and most influential responsible business network dedicated to building a fairer and greener world. Previously called The Times Top 50 Employers for Women, the report is now in its 14th year.
Ovo, which employs around 5,000 people in offices in London and Glasgow as well as in its Bristol HQ, appears in the list for the first time.
It was commended for a people offering that encompasses a range of progressive benefits designed to promote wellbeing, flexibility, belonging and inclusivity.
TLT, which has more than 160 partners and employs around 1,600 people, is named in the report for the second year running.
One of seven law firms included in the list, its inclusion recognises its actions to remove gender inequalities in the workplace, including offering colleagues a flexible approach to working, top-tier family support and later-in-life programmes along with a pioneering wellbeing programme.
Bristol-headquartered national law firm Burges Salmon, which had appeared in the report for three years in a row including last year, does not appear in the latest edition. 
Ovo said its inclusion in the list was recognition of its “highly progressive people offer for its UK team members, encompassing a range of progressive benefits designed to promote wellbeing, flexibility, belonging and inclusivity”.
This includes unlimited, fully-paid compassionate leave as well as unlimited paid leave for any kind of pregnancy-related loss – from miscarriages to unsuccessful IVF attempts.
Other benefits included paid leave for “moments that matter”, meaning days off can be taken for life’s important moments, such as a child’s first day of school, getting married or even taking a week to learn a new life skill; and “recharge” leave – extra paid leave granted after intense periods.
Ovo chief people officer Charlotte Eaton said: “At Ovo, we strive to create a culture that values every single member of our team with care, support and respect, regardless of gender identity. 
“That’s why we will always celebrate our people and will continue to champion gender equality and create a place where people truly belong.”
TLT said its inclusion in the list built on its in improving diversity and inclusion success over the past year, during which it achieved 33% female representation at partner level two years ahead of its target, reduced its mean and median pay gaps to the lowest level since it began recording and set a new target to achieve 50% women in partner roles by 2029.
These fresh ambitions involve TLT prioritising health and wellbeing to support the professional development of women.
The firm’s successes was also attributed to its ‘robust’ gender strategy, which has four areas of focus – redefining leadership with gender inclusion at its core; expanding flexible working; increasing female representation and creating a respectful culture.
The strategy was introduced in 2019 in collaboration with the firm’s Women’s Equality Network – one of TLT’s founding networks that aims to empower women to achieve their full potential and to drive gender diversity at all levels in the firm.
TLT chief people officer Helen Hodgkinson, pictured, said: “2024 started with TLT making an ambitious commitment to seeing 50% of partner positions filled by women by 2029.
“Our inclusion in The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality is a huge endorsement of the efforts we are taking to tackle gender inequality, to support our female colleagues and to ensure everyone at the firm is given equal opportunities to succeed.
“We’re delighted to have been included in this prestigious list – thank you to everyone who has helped us achieve this milestone for a second year in a row.”
Business in the Community gender equality director Charlotte Woodworth added: “Being named as a Times Top 50 employer for gender equality demonstrates TLT’s commitment to driving a more equitable, inclusive world.
“But while the employers who made the list are doing great work prioritising gender equality, there is still more work to do.
“From addressing pay disparities to better supporting those with caring responsibilities, many employees, women among them, still face barriers to finding employment and progressing in their careers.
“It is every employer’s responsibility to play their part in reducing and removing gender inequalities from the workplace, and research shows this isn’t just the right thing to do, it also makes business sense.”
