Slaughter and May partners and staff named on diversity and inclusion role models list

Slaughter and May partners and staff have been names on the EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Models list for the sixth consecutive year. 2021 represents the first year that individuals from the firm have been named on all three EMpower lists for the first time.

International Relations Business Development Manager, Justina Omotayo has been named as an EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Future Leader Role Model for the second consecutive year, while Nilufer Von Bismarck, who retired from the firm in April was named on the EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Executives for the sixth time, as a commendation for her work over the past 12 months.

Future Leaders are defined as high performing, high potential individuals, who are doing outstanding work towards ethnic minority inclusion across their workplace. The EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Executives celebrates the achievements of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) business leaders who are helping to make the workplace a more welcoming place for ethnic minority employees.

Executive Partner Paul Stacey has been named on the EMpower 50 Advocates Executives List for the first time. The list celebrates senior leaders who are not people of colour but are dedicated to creating a more diverse and inclusive business environment for ethnic minority employees.

All of the 2021 ethnic minority role models were nominated by peers and colleagues and were scored on the influence of their role, their impact on ethnic minority inclusion inside and outside the workplace and their business achievements. The EMpower Role Model lists are published annually, showcasing 100 Ethnic Minority Executives, 50 Advocates and 100 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders.

Uzma Hamid-Dizier, Head of Responsible Business and Inclusion at Slaughter and May said: “Seeing representatives from Slaughter and May on all three EMpower lists for the first time is testament to the hard work that has been done around the firm over the past year. Justina’s inclusion for the second consecutive year as a future role model and Paul’s inclusion as an advocate are both vitally important steps in the process to improve the ethnic diversity of our firm.

“I’d also like to highlight the work that Nilufer has done in promoting diversity and inclusion at the firm and across the City over the course of her career. She rightly serves as an important role model as we continue to promote greater diversity and equality in the legal sector.”

Founder & CEO of INvolve, Suki Sandhu OBE, says, “I’m thrilled to be celebrating another incredible group of Ethnic Minority and Advocate Role Models who are championing inclusion and inspiring the next generation of talent. Discrimination and barriers to success are still prevalent for ethnic minority groups and Role Models are essential to change perceptions and show everyone that you can be successful in business while also being your authentic self at work.”

Further details and the full list can be viewed here.