Foot Anstey, the South West law firm with an office in Bristol, has become the first in the region to gain a National Equality Standard (NES) for its efforts to tackle inequality and promote inclusion.
Foot Anstey is one of just six law firms nationwide to be recognised through the NES scheme, which it received on first time assessment – something less than a third of businesses have achieved. 
Just over 100 firms from across all sectors, including Arup, EDF Energy and Thomson Reuters, have now gained the NES. It was developed by accountancy group EY to bring clarity and consistency to efforts to tackle inequality and promote inclusion.
To be awarded the NES, an organisation must be independently assessed against a robust set of criteria against seven core standards. NES assessors review extensive documentation and conduct comprehensive interviews and focus groups.
The standard is supported by the Home Office and the CBI.
National Equality Standard CEO and EY director Arun Batra said: “Foot Anstey has demonstrated a relentless focus on building a flexible and positive working environment, supported by structured HR processes. Their National Equality Standard certification is a great example to other organisations with a relatively small workforce of what can be achieved with strong commitment.”
Foot Anstey managing partner John Westwell, pictured, added: “We are delighted to be joining the group of businesses who have also achieved this standard. The details coming out of our NES accreditation allow us to clearly determine our diversity and inclusion priorities within the context of our future firm strategy, to ensure strong outcomes for our clients, and differentiating career experiences for our people.”
The firm’s HR director Ramsey Mirza said promoting diversity and inclusion was one of the cornerstones of its people strategy.
“Importantly we have involved employees from across all levels, locations and roles within the firm in agreeing our action plan,” he said.
“We’ve placed particular importance on flexibility – currently over a third of our workforce operate on a formal flexible working arrangement with many more working flexibly in an informal way. We are looking forward to being part of the NES network, sharing best practice and making further improvements to our approach.”
Foot Anstey employs more than 500 people across its seven offices.
