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Stephenson Harwood reports on diversity targets
12/06/2025
Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP today announces the progress it has made towards achieving its diversity targets, and confirms its plans for the next three years.
In 2021, the firm outlined its commitment to improving minority ethnic representation in the UK, setting aspirational targets and the actions that would support the firm in meeting them.
The firm's targets included:
- 10% minority ethnic partners by 1 May 2025
Since introducing our targets, we have seen a steady increase in the representation of ethnic minority partners at the firm. This goal has been achieved.
- Proportional retention of minority ethnic lawyers and business services colleagues each year
While retention among our ethnic minority associates is proportionate, ethnic minority colleagues in business services have left the firm at a higher rate than their White peers.
- 30% ethnic minority trainees, of whom 10% would be Black, each year
Each year since 2021, we have achieved this goal.
The following year, in 2022, the firm published its first global gender targets at leadership level:
- 35% women partners by 1 May 2025
By this date, 32% of our partners globally were women, increasing from 28% in 2021. We have made some progress, but did not meet our target. As of 1 May 2025, 55% of our Global Leadership team were women.
"Our targets represented a challenge for us to meet," said Eifion Morris, Chief Executive Officer. "We have held ourselves accountable by sharing our progress annually. I am proud of the progress that we have made; we exceeded our ethnicity targets at partner level, and though we have fallen short of our gender targets, we have made progress towards them."
Setting new targets
The firm has set new targets for the next three years. By 1 May 2028 the firm's ambition is to achieve:
- 15% ethnic minority partners in the UK
- 38% women partners globally
"Diversity and inclusion are not boxes to be ticked; this work is a thread that runs through our organisation," continued Eifion. "We're working hard to ensure greater diversity, underpinned by an inclusive culture. I remain committed to this work and continue to believe that our organisation, and the way we serve our clients, is richer for it."
"As we look to the future, we are refreshing our targets for 2025 to 2028 – our commitment to diversity and inclusion remains unwavering," said Liz Cope, Head of Responsible Business, Stephenson Harwood.
"We aspire to be a truly inclusive and diverse firm, where colleagues can be themselves and thrive at work. By again setting clear, transparent goals, and outlining the actions we will take to achieve them, we are confident that we will continue to drive meaningful progress and create a workplace where diversity is celebrated, and every person can succeed."
To read the firm's full Diversity Report, and find out more about our action plan, click here.
