Responsible Business Impact Review
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Highlights in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Middle East (UKIME) Region during Financial Year 2023/24
Solving shared challenges, together. Everywhere.
Being a responsible business is inherently linked to our success as a business, requiring changes and investments which we are now pleased to start putting into action. We are actioning immediate opportunities and are pleased to have many projects underway to deepen collaboration with our trusted suppliers to meet shared expectations; decarbonise further our operations; increase representation and equity; and support the wellbeing of our colleagues. Equally we are focused on medium- and long-term improvements to the way we operate, including providing offices with best-in-class environmental credentials and co-designed inclusive spaces.
Strengthening our operational resilience
Empowering our high-performing people
Over the last two years, we have made renewed commitments to address our shared-challenges and we have started to take action which will help us overcome them. It's important we continue to make progress within our Firm and we publish this review recognising it as an avenue for accountability that we want to hold ourselves to.
Our internal ESG Committee comprising of both legal and business services experts oversee all of our responsible business activities and really help to hold our Firm to account and ensure we are embedding best practice. Additionally, in my role as Head of Responsible Business, I sit on our Operations Committee and that acts as a good check and a balance for ensuring that what is being proposed on the responsible business front can practically be achieved and is possible to embed into our day-to-day operations."
Delivering on our commitments
Paul Jarvis, Chief Executive, UK, Ireland and Middle East
Darran Stevenson, Chiel Operating Officer
Helen Simpson, Practice Partner
Claire England, Head of Responsible Business
The expert guidance of our Responsible Business team, along with their wealth of knowledge, experience and appetite for meaningful action, are invaluable in this journey and push us closer towards impacting several of our adopted Sustainable Development Goals, which I am really pleased to see reflected throughout this review.
Responsible Business Commitment
In recent years we have made many renewed commitments. We have started to take action towards achieving those commitments and it is important we continue that. I'm delighted to have an opportunity in this report to showcase some of the fantastic work that our people are doing with our clients and for the benefit of our communities through our responsible business programme."
Summary: our regional impact at a glance
We have long believed that doing good is imperative for doing well. We recognise the role we play in overcoming global challenges, that we all face. To become a more responsible business, we set actionable targets aligned with seven of the Sustainable Development Goals and are committed to reducing negative impacts of our operations and enhancing positive impacts.
We have significantly reduced our consumption of natural gas during FY2023/24 a result of relocating to buildings with leading sustainability credentials like in Dublin and Edinburgh.
40% reduction in natural gas consumption
A plan to reach Net Zero by 2040
Aligned with our Firm's global commitment to Business Ambition 1.5 degrees and Race to Zero, our region has set a science-based commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 with a near term target set for 2030.
£3.7M worth of free legal advice
We are proud to have provided £3.7M worth of free legal advice, during FY2023/24, valued in comparative savings, to our local communities.
85%
of our people believe we are committed to being a responsible business according to our latest colleague engagement survey completed in September 2023.
4,127 Volunteering hours
We are pleased to see volunteering hours invested by business, legal and secretarial services colleagues across our region increase year-on-year.
12,116 Pro bono hours
Like all firms, we are proud of our legal professionals investing their skills and expertise in communities across our region.
18% reduction in UK air travel related emissions
In line with our Net Zero roadmap, and sustainable travel policy, during FY2023/24 our UK travel emissions fell notably thanks to our people choosing sustainable options like rail.
£231,710 donated to charity
We are pleased to use our privillage to help charities make a difference to those in need including fundraising an additional £29,737 for our Charities of the Year.
96% of line managers trained on wellbeing
As part of our renewed committment to wellbeing we have also independently trained 55 colleagues as Mental Health First Aiders.
3 Environmental charity partnerships
New environmental charity partnerships to complement our decarbonisation efforts.
Colleagues independently trained as Mental Health First Aiders.
Our world is facing complex challenges. Over the coming years, these are likely to increase, rather than decrease. These challenges require united efforts and positive actions to overcome. Having a clear approach to environmental sustainability, social responsibility and good governance (ESG) has never been more important to our clients, colleagues and communities. At Dentons, we are committed to being a more responsible business. This commitment anchors our five-year strategy in the region. We are dedicated to stepping up and playing a more active role as a region, and we do this in two ways: firstly, in the market-leading advice we offer, and secondly, through our approach to operationalising responsible business practices within our business and in collaboration with our clients. One year on from making our commitment to responsible business, we have started to deliver the changes which decades to come demand. But we have a lot more to do.
Environmental Sustainability
Inclusion, Diversity & Wellbeing
Social Justice & Giving Back
Governance
Home
Sponsorship & Firmwide Support
People Clients Community
People Representation People Wellbeing Clients Community
Community
Clients
People
People Representation People Wellbeing Clients Community Sponsorship & Firmwide Support
I'm delighted to have an opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic work our people are doing with our clients and for the benefit of our communities through our responsible business programme, which is more than just what we do, but about how we do it. A key part of our day-to-day decision making, responsible business underpins our strategy and is adding value to the work we deliver each day. I am enthused by the pace of change of our revitalised approach and how it has been embraced by our people, positively impacting the communities that we operate in.
Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges facing our planet and an increasing and ever-present threat to our operations, people, clients and communities. Our Board placed the activation of a carbon reduction plan at the forefront of its supervisory agenda, and we are pleased to be making material progress against our Net Zero aspirations. Our approach to decarbonisation is multifaceted and interconnected across our responsible business approach."
Environmental sustainability
As a region, we are focused on reducing the direct and indirect negative impacts of our operations on the environment and enhancing positive impacts including through Net Zero and partnerships with our clients and communities.
Caroline Connolly Environmental Sustainability Manager
Progress and impact at a glance
Aligned with our Firm's global commitment to Business Ambition 1.5 degrees and Race to Zero, our region has set a science-based commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 with a near term target set for 2030. This target, and our plan developed in collaboration with Planet Mark, are aligned to the Science Based Targets initatives (SBTi) Net Zero Standard. In February 2024 we formally committed to the SBTi to demonstrate confidence in our ability to deliver change.
The electricity we use in our Edinburgh, Dublin, Glasgow and London offices is procured from 100% renewable supply.
We reduced travel emissions by 18% across air, rail and road in the UK as a result of our sustainable travel guidance, and are working towards improvements in the Middle East.
We reduced our reliance on natural gas by 40% across our real estate portfolio due to the relocation of our offices in Edinburgh and Dublin to fully electric buildings.
We partnered with three new environmental charities to complement our Net Zero programme and have a direct impact on our communities.
Our Net Zero Roadmap
We've been making targeted changes to our business over several years to become more environmentally sustainable, including ensuring that we are partnering with third-party suppliers with green practices and processes at their core. Our aim with this Net Zero target and plan is to formalise those adjustments and increase the pace of change to help combat climate change, meaningfully deliver on our commitment to responsible business, and complement our five-year regional strategy."
Richard Gaillard, Director of Operations
Case Study
Investing in new office buildings with leading sustainability credentials
In addition to recently occupying new office spaces with enviable environmental accreditations in Dublin, Edinburgh and Riyadh, we will do the same in London at 1 Liverpool Street, due for completion in 2026. This development is an investment in diversification leading to emissions reduction. Our new London home is projected to achieve a 33% carbon reduction compared to current building regulations by targeting a BREEAM "Outstanding" rating and adhering to the CRREM's stringent decarbonisation pathways. With sustainability, wellbeing and accessibility front-and-centre of its design, 750+ professionals will soon be delivering advice from a building that incorporates environmental features like a green roof to boost biodiversity and manage rainwater.
We completed our fourth consecutive year of reporting through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), earning a "C" rating (reflecting awareness level engagement) for our Climate Change submission. In 2023, we successfully submitted our second report to EcoVadis, maintaining our bronze sustainability rating with ambitions for further improvement. Our continued certifications to ISO 14001 (UK) and ISO 50001 (UK), globally recognised standards for environmental and energy management, underscore our commitment to sustainability.
Our brand-new home in Edinburgh has been awarded "Excellent" by BREEAM. Our brand-new home in Dublin received a "Gold" rating by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Our brand-new home in Riyadh received a "Platinum" rating by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
We achieved a 5% water reduction across the UK, and with more accurate data for the whole region informing us on the way forward, our attention will look to expand strategies that will contribute to reducing our overall emissions.
Overcoming any systemic global challenge requires deep-rooted collaboration. As an increasing focus for our clients, we are joining forces to make tangible contributions to sustainability through collaborative initiatives ranging from directly decarbonising how we deliver our legal services, to regenerative native tree planting and supporting food sustainability efforts.
Our clients
To reduce emissions created directly by how we do business, we adjusted the delivery of our legal services in a pilot project to meet the "net zero or low carbon" objectives for HMG's DEFRA. With DEFRA Legal Advisors (DLA), our approach to reduce emissions encompassed a strategy to reduce the consumption of resources like paper to minimise waste. Our collaboration has established a model for offering "net zero/low-carbon" legal services to more clients. By making adjustments we saved circa 120 kgC02e, equivalent to 14,597 smartphones charged, of emissions. The project has been shortlisted by The Lawyer Awards 2024 for 'Sustainability Initiative of the Year'.
Decarbonising how we deliver our services for the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
We were pleased to collaborate with each legal panel member of one of the UK's largest supermarkets, Sainsbury's, to volunteer time with the Felix Project in London, to reallocate surplus food to frontline charities and schools. The joint panel food poverty volunteering day demonstrates our commitment to impactful, sustainably-minded collaboration with our clients and peer-firms.
Bringing together Sainsbury's legal panel to provide charities and schools with surplus food
In Dubai, our team and PepsiCo Middle East came together for a joint environmental venture. In collaboration with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture and Goumbook, we planted 30 Ghaf trees, a symbol of national pride in the United Arab Emirates. The initiative complemented our Net Zero programme and highlighted the multifaceted benefits of environmental volunteering—combining physical and mental wellbeing with the strengthening of personal and professional bonds. Engaging our clients in these activities is becoming an integral part of our approach, as we work together on environmental stewardship.
Blending the benefits of environmental volunteering in Dubai with PepsiCo Middle East
Our community
Investing in local environmental charity partnerships across the United Kingdom, Ireland and Middle East
As part of our carbon-conscious programme, we have transitioned from investing in carbon credits and our Carbon Neutral (CN) status and reinvested funds into volunteering initiatives for our people and projects directly tackling social and economic challenges associated with our changing climate. This is a great example of how our sophisticated programme is about enhancing the positive impact we 'can' have while reducing the negative impacts; playing an active role in protecting our planet for future generations."
Lucille De Silva, Partner, ESG Committee
Over 3 years we will invest £75,000 to support 130 community projects focused on ‘championing good food’ that is good for climate, nature and health. The 3-year partnership will provide successful applicants with impact grants, enabling direct and transformational change in communities in collaboration with our people and clients who volunteer on the ground. Our funding will provide the critical grants needed to afford tools, expand their work, and reach more people in need of support.
To support the London School of Economics "Grantham Institute" and the New York City Bar Association's "The Vance Center", two senior associates led a pro bono research project on climate regulation and reporting obligations across the Middle East and North Africa. They coordinated a team of thirteen lawyers from the region, who diligently researched and analysed the different environmental laws and requirements and resulting in a detailed report providing a clearer understanding of the regulatory environment and, aiding our pro bono clients in navigating the complexities of climate-related policies within these jurisdictions.
Pro Bono Climate Disclosure Reporting for the Middle East and North Africa
At the same time as the United Arab Emirates welcomed public and private sector leaders for COP28 which followed the theme "Actionism", our people in Dubai took part in environmental volunteering along Kite Beach working with local organisation, Goumbook collecting hundreds of cigarette butts which litter the otherwise pristine beach. The butts, which have a devastating impact on wildlife and water quality, are recycled into sustainable building material, diverting them from nature and landfill and contributing to the circular economy.
Beach clean ups and more tree planting in the Middle East.
People Spotlights
Fatma Al-Amri Senior Associate, Muscat
Fatima Al-Sabahi Senior Associate, Muscat
A small but mighty team of our people participated in a beach clean-up organised by DeapQatar Conservation Group, clearing up a large strip of the beach as part of our conscious efforts to be in and of the communities and to complement our Net Zero roadmap.
Doha, Qatar
In the spirit of real adventure, a team of our people in Dubai planted 40 mangrove trees in the Al Zorah Natural Reserve in Ajman that will contribute to the sequestration of 12,320kg of carbon over the lifetime of these trees which are highly effective in storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The team kayaked to and from the mangrove forest, which will contribute to the UAE ecosystem.
Dubai, UAE
To ensure accountability of our best practice approach and in line with universal disclosure reporting standards, we follow a strict and transparent approach to governance of our environmental approach, ensuring we meet the sustainability targets we set.
Our disclosure assesses how we mitigate and manage the risks and opportunities of climate change within our business. Scores are a measure of environmental sustainability and are administered independently. We are pleased to receive a "C" score, the average performance for specialised professional services.
Our Net Zero strategy has always aligned to the Paris Agreement but, to provide a level of transparency and assurance, in February 2024 we made a formal commitment to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), and we are now working through the process of having our targets formally validated.
In accordance with our transparency ethos, we have voluntarily chosen to report under the TCFD framework, outlining information about what we are doing to mitigate the risks of climate change and the ways in which these are governed. Our 2023/24 submission is published here.
We hold both ISO14001 and ISO5001 certification. We have been certified since 2013 and are audited by LRQA (UKAS accredited body) on an annual basis. Both standards aim to tackle climate change and conserve resources, though ISO14001 seeks to reduce the impact we have on the environment by reducing waste, resources and pollution, whereas ISO50001 aims to improve the usage of our energy sources.
Carbon Disclosure Project
SBTI: formally validating our targets
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)
Scorecard
Our people in Dublin made their mark by contributing to lasting environmental impact by planting more than 350 trees in a day as part of our new partnership with Reforest Nation. The "Freedom Forest" is now rooted near Greystones thanks to the hard work of our team and their families.
Long-term tree planting in Dublin
Reforest Nation is sparking Ireland’s ecological revival by passionately regrowing native woodlands to craft a sustainable future that honours Ireland’s ecological heritage. We are proud to support this organization in an important and growing market. This partnership will see us reforest Ireland's countryside and enrich its biodiversity by supporting the planting of 3,000.
In recognising the need to share knowledge, learn and collaborate to solve the environmental challenges we face, we are pleased to have invested in places for our people on the 'Leader of Change' programme. Our partnership will see us volunteer for nature, in nature, with some of the brightest minds.
Leadership and accountability
Leadership & Accountability
More progress highlights
Net Zero Roadmap
Everyday actions are at the heart of our sustainability journey and are vital to achieve decarbonisation. Our people lead the way across several projects, including collaborating with our suppliers on a continuous improvement project and directly reduce waste and consumption of natural resources which help us achieve progress in our emission reduction. Coupled with more accurate data to report thoroughly in the future, we are on the right course thanks to them.
Our people
Directly reducing waste and consumption of natural resources
We are actively seeking opportunities to reduce waste and reliance on natural resources which account for circa 19% of our total emissions. For example, we have invested in innovative and novel approaches to minimise the consumption of small power, and across our region, water efficiency and conservation, and food waste initiatives are making an impact.
Collaborating with our suppliers on a continuous improvement programme
Procured goods and services contribute to more than 60% of our carbon footprint, so we have initiated a strategic supplier engagement initiative of continuous improvement approaches aimed at decarbonisation, with a focus on monitoring emission reductions through a clearly defined carbon reduction plan.
Decarbonising through real estate diversification
By integrating considerations for environmental impacts and energy efficiency into the acquisition, design, refurbishment, location, and utilisation of our buildings, we are placing a paramount focus on decarbonising our operations.
People Wellbeing
Representation
At the heart of our Firm are our people and we are working hard to ensure they have the opportunities, relationships, and structures to thrive while getting meaning and fulfilment from their work. In practice this means ensuring fair, equitable opportunities to development and progressing our careers regardless of background or circumstance, and evolving how we work with each other and our clients so we can sustainably deliver excellence in the long term."
Inclusion, diversity & wellbeing
Successfully delivering our regional strategy requires enhancing inclusive behaviours and day-to-day working practices so our people can thrive and support our clients, communities and each other.
Tulsi Patel Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to progress their careers fairly and equitably regardless of background or circumstance. We recognise we have a responsibility to address historic under-representation in our sector and have introduced a new inclusion and diversity strategy to achieve this.
Our people:
Our next generation of leaders: One Young World Summit
The summit provided me with professional development opportunities and the chance to collaborate on global issues. Most importantly, being an Ambassador will allow me to contribute to causes that are close to my heart. It is empowering us to be advocates for change, giving a voice to the unheard, and raising awareness to such global issues."
Sara Alfaddagh, Trainee Lawyer Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
We use quantitative data and colleague/partner feedback to inform where we need to focus and keep us honest with progress, which you can learn more about by clicking 'Pay Gap Report'.
We have introduced more ambitious diversity goals to hold us to account for improving representation. These include: 35% women at partner level, and 35% in our Business Services director and head of levels 10% ethnic minority at partner level, 10% in our Business Services director and head of level, and 12% at senior associate and counsel.
We have strengthened our commitment globally and within our region to create a fairer and more equitable workplace for everyone, but and we're taking action with impact.
Data and insight led: focusing on what matters and our measuring progress
Strengthening our diversity aspirations: new goals for 2028
Our vision and direction: a new inclusion and diversity six-point action plan
Pay Gap Report
Action Plan
Our new Inclusion and Diversity Action Plan, informed by data and qualitative feedback from our inclusion networks, employee engagement survey, and employee forums sets us up for success in the medium- and long-term. We are seeing positive progress today in our region and across the world through our global inclusion and diversity efforts.
Actions to address under-representation
representation
We have seven active inclusion networks that play a vital role in fostering a diverse and inclusive culture in line with our ID&E focus areas. Our networks provide a space for our people to connect on shared interests, support one another as peers, and drive positive change for our Firm and wider society. They also provide a platform for new and different voices to be heard to inform strategic action across our Firm while also fostering a sense of community and lifelong friendship.
Seven active inclusion networks to connect, support and empower
Our AccessAbility network provides a space for colleagues and partners to connect on disability, neurodiversity and long term conditions which we or loved ones may experience. Since launching in December 2022, the network has grown to over 50 members and is already playing a leading role in bringing accessibility to the fore, for example through the design of our new London Office, and with neuro-inclusion. Our executive and senior leadership teams have been upskilled on neurodiversity in the workplace and we now have a specific space for parents and carers of loved ones with a neuro difference to connect and share their experiences in a safe, supportive way.
We are actively removing the barriers for women in progressing careers in law. Our Careers Directions Programme (CDP) is a women-only initiative designed to bust the myths of what it takes to be successful and help women earlier in their careers to feel in control over their futures. We also recognise the burden often falls to women for parenting and caring responsibilities so we have also expanded family-friendly policies to cover a range of life events including fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and adoption, while also offering flexible shared parental leave.
Experience of the menopause vary considerably but are not discussed enough in society. We are helping to change that. We are striving to become an accredited menopause friendly employer and now have 10 trained menopause mentors alongside a working group to help us talk more about the menopause and ensure those who need support, have it. Our partnership with Peppy provides digital health support tailored to different health needs, including fertility changes and menopause. We initiated this focus with a virtual reality event with Menopause Reality aimed at increasing understanding among all our people, especially senior male colleagues, about perimenopause which received "highly commended" for the best training initiative at the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards in 2023 and won Best Initiative to Attract and Retain talent at the Legal500 Awards 2024.
An important topic of conversation
People perspective
Elevating women across our region
Our journey of progress and empowerment, particularly in bringing forward our talented cohort of women across the Middle East, is promising. It is still heartening to see how the landscape for women continues to evolve. Amongst our clients, sectors and industries, we are seeing a significant increase in women's participation at senior leadership levels in the Middle East, challenging and reshaping traditional narratives. Even with the central role that women are earmarked to play by regional governments in realising their ambitions for growth (Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 and Oman Vision 2040 to name just two), there is no room for complacency."
Sadaf Buchanan, Partner and Sayyidaat Dentons leader, Muscat
Menopause
We have introduced two new targeted initiatives aimed at supporting the career development and progression of people from ethnic minority backgrounds including a mentoring programme for Black colleagues specifically and active career sponsorship for those ready to take the next step such as promotion to partner or senior associate. Our Black Professionals Network and Fusion (Asian Professionals) Network continue to grow and help these, particularly early in careers, building personal brand and expanding networks.
We were pleased to be joined by clients and students from across the country as our Asian Professionals Network, Fusion, brought together leading South and East Asian professionals to reflect on their career journeys. This included former President of the Law Society of England and Wales (2022 – 23) Lubna Shuja, Rowena Samarasinhe, Aswini Weereratne KC, and SunHee Park who each shared what they wish they had known earlier in their careers.
Our Asian Professionals Network hosts "Lessons to my younger self"
Recognized allies supporting our LGBTQ+ people
LGBTQ+ recognition and rights are not to be taken for granted and our community deeply values the allyship demonstrated by our Firm – we are stronger because of it and are pleased to feel empowered to support disadvantaged members of our community through volunteering and charity fundraising initiatives."
Ivan Jelocnik, GLOW Chair, Associate (He/Him/His)
In recognition of our efforts in the UK and globally, we were awarded Top Global Employer for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Stonewall's Global Workplace Equality Index for the third year running. Allyship with our LGBTQ+ people is an ongoing focus, and we are pleased to have introduced optional inclusive email signatures explaining preferred pronouns, name pronunciations and working patterns. Rainbow ally lanyards with pronoun options were also introduced to make our LGBTQ+ allies more visible in the past year.
Our region was represented by colleagues including Sara Alfaddagh (Trainee, Riyadh) and Shannon Woolford (Paralegal, LDC) alongside 10 other representatives from across Dentons were present, for the first time at one of the largest global youth leadership summits, One Young World. Where 2000+ young leaders from 190+ countries are counselled by some of the most influential business and humanitarian leaders globally. The programme supports our future leaders from a breadth of backgrounds for formal learning, mentoring, and real-life business challenge. Delegates were counselled by influential political, business, and humanitarian leaders, such as H.M. Queen Rania of Jordan, former Republic of Ireland President Mary Robinson, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus to name a few.
Shannon Woolford, Paralegal, LDC
A new inclusion network
AccessAbility
Gender equity
Retention and development
Ethnic diversity
Improving representation and enhancing experience
People perspective:
To illustrate the impact of representation programmes, we sat down with Black Professionals Network mentoring participant, member and solicitor apprentice, Lemuael Kyeremateng who shares his experience.
Our people: wellbeing
More than ever, it is critical our sector follows through on changes needed to address systemic/historic dynamics that contribute to poor mental health or negatively impact our lives outside of work. We know change begins with accountability and we are taking action to embed this across our Firm to support healthy and sustainable ways of working.
In practice
"Everyone working in the legal sector understands that stress and long days can be inevitable but we also know that they are unsustainable over extended periods. When left unaddressed this can lead to mental ill health and in some cases, have devastating consequences. I am encouraged to see the challenges we and others in the sector are making to the culture of the past as we are steadily transforming our working practices through collaboration with our people, peers and clients."
Jayne Schnider, Partner (Corporate) and Wellbeing Sponsor
We believe our work should positively impact our personal wellbeing and lives, serving to inspire and energise us. We have taken inspiration from the guiding principles of the Mindful Business Charter and amplified our commitment to wellbeing which we call 'Work Well Live Well'. This recognises the intersectionality across physical, financial, mental, emotional and social wellbeing and how we perform at work, and the need to evolve our working practices, processes and structures to nurture this. To help us influence meaningful change at senior levels and across our Firm, we appointed a new wellbeing sponsor in Jayne Schnider, Corporate Partner and long time advocate of equity, inclusion and wellbeing in the workplace.
Our commitment to wellbeing
Upskilling line managers to foster good wellbeing and high performance
In 2023, we introduced two-hour mandatory upskilling session for all line managers focusing on the relationship between wellbeing and high performance, and how to sustain high performance for the long term. It identified the early warning signs indicating someone may be struggling – how to overcome that and create an environment where our people can thrive. 96% of managers are trained to date with support of a specialist wellbeing consultancy. We have supplemented this with specific training for HR teams too and a new online learning solution including interactive case studies to help managers and colleagues put training into practice.
55 trained Mental Health First Aiders providing timely, non-judgemental support
Someone experiencing poor mental health may be more inclined to speak to colleagues, family or friends rather than use our comprehensive support services. We recognise the importance of having people "on the ground" who can make an impact by providing a friendly, confidential ear for our people who may need support. We now have 55 trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) in every office across our region and all role levels including in Executive Leadership. Many of them lead open-door panel discussions, including on men's mental health and "Time to Talk" sessions.
People from our UK offices took in the fresh air on a four-day subsidised wellbeing and development excursion to the UK's Lake District, England's largest National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, to strengthen connections across our business and legal services teams, and recharge via the benefits of outdoor social exercise. Our people also participated in a "Healthy Challenge" to rack up a total of 16,217,449 steps across the 13 teams. Scottish Steppers led the way with 2,259,970 steps between them and Sarah Jackman was our top stepper completing 553,061 steps. We also participate in the London Legal Walk each year.
Excursions and challenges
Walking for Wellbeing
We actively ensure diverse representation of lived and professional experiences to deliver leading advice our clients need to solve complex problems. We work together with our clients to achieve more inclusive and sustainable ways of working, and support each other's broader inclusion, diversity and wellbeing ambitions.
Across our region 80% of requests for proposals require information and data on our inclusion and diversity initiatives, and we are seeing that reflected across the Middle East too where our clients have an increasing focus on responsible business practices including more broadly on volunteering and environmental sustainability."
Meghan Devine, Senior Associate, Dubai
We recognise the layered and unique challenges faced by ethnic minority women in society and in workplaces. Our Inspire (gender equity) Network and Black Professionals Network hosted a series of workshops together to explore this further. This included one called 'Black Visibility is Power' alongside other leading finance and business organisations. The successful evening received great feedback from attendees including:
Exploring the intersections between gender and race
Best corporate event on equality I have been to…"
...this will help me change the way I view myself..."
...a very thoughtfully curated and moderated panel..."
The past 12 months have marked a notable embrace of rapidly accelerating technologies. We welcomed responsible AI advocate, Toju Duke, for a compelling talk on AI's growing role in enabling social equality. We discussed the requirement for legal professionals to understand and help overcome the inherent biases within AI to effectively deliver justice, particularly for the most disadvantaged in society. Rowena Rix (Innovation Lead) and Sam Chen (Legal AI Adoption Manager) joined the discussion to highlight work underway to strengthen our own proprietary client-secure tool, fleetAI.
Representation and wellbeing converging through ethical and responsible AI
In partnership with clients including Warner Music Group, TUI, HMG Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and Lloyds Banking Group, 2023 marked our seventh year coordinating and participating in a Social Mobility Business Partnership programme, which aims to foster a more diverse legal profession. Through team-building exercises, Q&A sessions, and exclusive tours, our cohort of 18 students from underprivileged backgrounds gained insights into a wide range of career opportunities and how to stand out from the crowd in professional services sector. 90% said the experience would strengthen their applications to university.
Social Mobility Business Partnership Week: 2023
Increasing trans visibility with clients and peer law firms
In collaboration with our fellow Sainsbury’s legal panel firm Linklaters and client Barclays, we hosted a thought- provoking and informative discussion on personal, parent and peer perspectives to mark Trans Awareness Week in 2023. It left a notable impact on those attending:
Like all aspects of our responsible business-centric approach, we continue to be in and of our communities. We partner with many independent organisations to support and empower those most in need.
We provide pro bono assistance to the Islamophobia Response Unit, an independent UK charity supporting people affected by Islamophobic incidents. We updated the IRU's legislation manual, which is used as a "first port of call" resource by IRU case worker volunteers, to help them provide support to victims quickly in a manner consistent with local laws."
Zahra Rose Khawaja, Senior Associate, Dubai
Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU)
With long-standing client HSBC, we work closely with this independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by Islamophobic incidents in England and Wales. IRU is a platform for victims of Islamophobia to confidentially report their experiences. Its purpose is to provide legal guidance and emotional support and ensure that voices are heard.
We were pleased to collaborate with charity Opening Doors for LGBT History Month in 2023 to reflect on how LGBTQ+ experiences have or have not changed over the past 50 years. We were pleased to partner again with them to host a stand at UK Black Pride, the world's largest celebration of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean-heritage LGBTQ+ people.
Partnering with Opening Doors for generational reflections and LGBTQ+ Black Pride
Creating an inclusive culture where our people can thrive and harness the strength of the diversity within our Firm, starts at the top. Our Executive teams, globally and in the region, are accountable for the progress we make and are actively working hard to ensure this flows through leadership behaviours and day-to-day decisions.
Our Global CEO chairs both our Global Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council (comprised of leaders from around the world in different roles and functions) and our Global Inclusion Advisory Council (comprised of colleagues around the world at varied levels to share their experiences) and champions our commitment to inclusive leadership. In 2022 we appointed our first Global Inclusion and Diversity Officer, Kate Broer, to develop and drive strategic D&I programmes globally and who, uniquely within a law firm, participates in all Global Board meetings to develop and drive our D&I strategy forward at a firmwide level. Our firmwide inclusion, diversity and equity leadership accountability policy introduced in October 2022, reaffirms the importance of and further embeds inclusion, diversity and equity as a strategy priority that sits alongside our other strategic priorities at Dentons. The policy requires D&I-related goals and objectives to be included in the goals and objectives of all members of our Global Management Committee. The Global Management Committee members include all our global chiefs and Dentons' regional CEOs. The policy also provides that D&I goals and objectives should be included in the goals and objectives of those in other senior leadership roles.
Global Governance
In our region, ID&E is driven by our Responsible Business team in which we have significantly invested in and expanded, including with Claire England joining as Head of Responsible Business in 2022 and Tulsi Patel joining as Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager in 2023. Our Chief Executive Officer, Paul Jarvis, is the Baord Sponsor for ID&E and we have a number of committees responsible for ID&E, including our: ESG Committee which meets quarterly and is responsible for overseeing the strategic execution of our D&I roadmap of activity and risk management; and Executive and Operations Committees which meet and discuss ID&E matters every six months and are accountable for overall progress. Inclusive leadership is key to our ID&E strategy. We developed 12 inclusive leadership actions which are embedded into the objectives and performance reviews of all partners and business services leaders to ensure our leaders are active in championing ID&E. We also embed these actions across our induction and development programmes to ensure everyone at Dentons is active in their personal and shared commitments to ID&E.
Regional Governance
I joined for awareness and want to be a better, more informed and supportive ally. Hearing your stories today actually made me quite emotional and I smiled with you all throughout."
It was amazing, eye opening and emotional; it had me nodding along all the time. Loved this last piece about pronouns. I have not been in the habit of sharing mine - but I see now how it is so important and means that nobody needs to "other" themselves as you called it."
Increasingly data and insight led, with new targets to improve representation and colleague/partner experience to hold us to account for progress.
New six-point inclusion and diversity strategy endorsed by our Board and Executive Leaders.
55 fully trained mental health first aiders and all Human Resource Business Partners trained as Suicide First Aiders.
We renewed our commitment to wellbeing, 'Work Well, Live Well', based on principles of the Mindful Business Charter.
Refreshed our seven active inclusion networks with many new co-chairs and refined visions to support our strategic approach.
Delivered neurodiversity awareness and inclusion training including for our Senior Leadership Team.
96% of line managers trained to understand wellbeing, high-performance and support someone with mental ill health.
Voluntarily disclosed our ethnicity pay gap for the first time in 2023 and again in 2024.
For 33 years I have seen our Firm evolve into a more responsible business and am extremely proud of the transformative impact we have had on people, organisations and communities over that time; I am even prouder to see us gaining more and more momentum, especially to support those not afforded equal opportunities.
Social justice & giving back
Our region continues to prioritise and proactively support closing the gap on socio-economic differences by diversifying pathways into our profession and advocating for social justice through pro bono and volunteering matters.
Bernadette O'Sullivan Community Manager
12,116 Pro Bono hours delivered by legal professionals.
1,032 Volunteering hours invested by business services professionals.
£3,700,000 Worth of comparative savings for our local communities.
£231,710 In grants and other major donations made to 116 charities.
Since 2015, Greece has seen an upsurge in asylum claims, overwhelming the system and frustrating vulnerable asylum seekers' fundamental legal rights and needs. In 2019, we launched the award-winning Greece Pro Bono Collaborative with NGO European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) and five other firms. The project sends volunteer lawyers on two-week secondments to work with ELIL in Athens and Lesvos, to offer guidance and advice to asylum seekers preparing for their interviews. Senior Associate Haya Moubaydeen, who volunteered, was the only Arabic-speaking legal volunteer during her two-week secondment to Moira Camp in Lesvos. Highly sought after, she assisted, translated for and heard first-hand stories of refugees from Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Congo and Somalia. Our commitment to the programme has endured with a two-week secondments including most recently by Rose McDowall (Associate, TMT, Milton Keynes) and Georgina Kirkwood (Associate, TMT, London) in 2023.
Greece Pro Bono Collaborative - two week secondments
I’ve found working with the UK-based National Centre for Domestic Violence to be a really worthwhile opportunity to make a real difference to people who are suffering from domestic abuse. From the UAE, I remotely speak to individuals in the United Kingdom who have suffered abuse, draft their witness statements and prepare documents for their first court appearance. It’s very rewarding and I can choose when to accept a case around my workload."
Suzannah Fairbairn, Partner, Dubai
The Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS) offers free legal advice and support to adult prisoners throughout England and Wales regarding their legal, human and healthcare rights. In January 2023, we joined PAS's letter writing clinic, with our volunteers reviewing letters, researching legal queries, and drafting replies. Our support for people in prisons is extended further by our involvement with the Life After Guantanamo Project which you can hear partner Catherine Gilfedder speak about below.
Many of us studied law because we are passionate about advocating for social justice causes – it's at the essence of our profession. Our Firm's proactive participation is underpinned by a belief that we have a shared responsibility, and at Dentons we certainly take that responsibility seriously.
Jamie Garside Pro Bono Manager (Lawyer)
£29,737 Raised for locally nominated charities of the year.
723 Clients assisted at our award-winning free legal advice clinic PopLaw in two disadvantaged communities.
150 Hours of free legal advice provided to people seeking asylum appeals support as part of the Greece Pro Bono Collaborative.
1,610 Hours of free legal advice provided to Individuals seeking protection orders in court with the National Centre for Domestic Violence.
1,430 Hours invested by lawyers working on document review for Amicus, to support death penalty appeals in the US.
866 Hours invested at the Whitechapel Mission in London one of our longest standing partnerships.
A firm of firsts
I feel proud to have been selected to join the world's largest law firm and I have enjoyed myself a lot so far. I have been challenged in ways that have helped me grow as a professional and learnt a lot about the industry and my department. Going from school, where I felt on top of the world for getting decent grades, to the workplace where I realise how much more I can grow, has been a humbling experience but one I am very happy I made as I know it will only propel my growth."
Allan Ndungu, Solicitor Apprentice, Milton Keynes
As one of the first firms in the UK to launch an apprentice route to qualification in 2017, we now have one of the largest apprentice cohorts in the UK legal market at 24 people. They embody an ethic of giving. Many of our apprentices volunteer their time internally to support our inclusion, diversity and wellbeing efforts. Many also give back to our communities, for example via volunteering at the Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes. Such is the success of our apprenticeship scheme, we have now extended the programme into Ireland, the Middle East and our Business Services' Finance team. After six-years, two of our first apprentices have now qualified as with us – a proud milestone everyone.
Doing good through our award-winning Solicitor Apprentice scheme
Our Trainees volunteering at Willen Hospice, Milton Keynes during National Apprentice Week 2024
We recognise our sector has historically struggled with under-representation and in particular should do more to encourage students from Black, African and Caribbean heritage to pursue a career in law, and ensure fair and equitable opportunities to do so. We proudly sponsor 14 talented students across the UK during their three-year undergraduate degree in law. This includes providing funding of £2,500 per year to support their learning and development, and ongoing support from our Early Careers Team and Trainees. Through bespoke workshops, one-to-one support calls, mentoring, insight events and open days, these students gain an understanding of the sector, are better equipped to apply for roles, and feel more confident to pursue a pathway.
Our 'Now to Next' Scholarship Programme
Being placed automatically on the scheme was a great insight into the firm. The first networking event going through mock interview questions, and also networking with lawyers, was probably the most beneficial as I liked how practical and structured the day was. Unfortunately, I do not have a conducive home working environment, so the scholarship funding has enabled me to pay for additional accommodation within my college for the Christmas and Easter holidays such that I can complete the bulk of my work. I would say this has probably been the most transformative part of the scholarship funding as I can genuinely see a link between essay submissions and the fact that I am staying in halls to work."
Afope Ogunremi, Final year undergraduate studying LLB Law at the University of Cambridge
Feeding homeless and marginalised people with the Whitechapel Mission
The Whitechapel Mission in East London has been serving homeless and marginalised people since 1876, and have had a long-lasting partnership for the past 16 years. Hundreds of our people, inclduing our regional Board, alongside clients volunteer at the Mission. Katie Moore, who was recognised as our inaugural Volunteer Superstar of the Quarter, shares below what it means to be involved and you can hear what our commitment to this charity means from Director of the Mission for 42 years, Tony Miller MBE.
Pictured below are members of our regional Board who gave their personal commitment to invest their allowance of volunteering hours into action. Accepting the Breakfast Challenge, Partners and Board members Akin Akinbode, Lucille De Silva and Stephen Levy (Chair) were joined by Claire England (Head of Responsible Business), Georgina Kirkwood (Associate), Abby Dorani (Associate) and Aarom Rafi (Associate).
I honestly love every part of the Whitechapel Mission breakfast challenge. The team are amazing, as are the people who rely on it to remain open every day. It is an enjoyable challenge and I can't imagine not volunteering now, so much so that I attend on various occasions outside of our Firm's allocated slots.
Katie Moore, Practice Support Executive
Broadening career outlooks of young people with Worktree
In partnership with HMG client, Department for Works and Pensions (DWP), colleagues from our Milton Keynes office hosted 13 graduation-aged students from Ousedale School for an on-site employability skills training day in collaboration with local charity, Worktree. Since 2015, our region has supported the charity's ambition to help local young people. Through Worktree, 137 people in our Firm have met 8,310 students in 312 "Career WorkOut" sessions to answer questions about their jobs. It was a delight to be awarded for the highest overall number of sessions volunteered by a single company in 2023.
Supporting the National Centre for Domestic Violence with Morgan Stanley
Our clients often share the same responsible business goals. Alongside us, our in-house counterparts at Morgan Stanley take on cases for the National Centre for Domestic Violence, working with, and under the supervision of, experienced volunteers from our Firm. The teams work with victims of domestic violence to obtain non-molestation orders and occupation orders, to protect survivor / victims from their abusers. In this Financial Year, we worked on 12 cases together.
Economic empowerment is transformative for most people, particularly those marginalised or less supported in society, as well as for businesses such as ours. We are committed to diversifying the range of routes into the legal profession to ensure those who may previously not have considered a career in law or had fair and equitable access, now do.
A key focus of our community investment is on increasing social mobility, with an emphasis on supporting young people to increase their career prospects. Equally we are focused on broadening access to justice through pro bono which we deliver to the same standard of excellence as we do for our fee paying clients.
Established in 2006, PopLaw is our award-winning weekly walk-in initial legal advice clinic, operated from two sites in Poplar and Whitechapel, with a remote clinic each week staffed by a rota primarily of our Trainees who are exposed to transformative legal work. In the past 12 months we have advised 732 individuals from the underprivileged community on their legals rights relating to housing, benefits, employment, consumer rights and much more.
PopLaw Free Legal Advice Clinics
The PopLaw Legal Advice Clinics allow us to directly impact the lives of people in our community. Whilst it can seem daunting for a corporate or projects lawyer to advise on say housing or benefits issues, our skills are transferable. Undertaking research into a new area, explaining a client's options, writing a letter on their behalf, and achieving a positive outcome for a client is incredibly rewarding."
Sarah Lima, Partner, Pro Bono Partner Sponsor
My experiences from the two weeks will stay with me for the rest of my life. These applicants have experienced unimaginable trauma. I often confess to feeling helpless watching or reading the news, not knowing what it really must be like for those people impacted or what difference I can make. I was able to channel some of that during my secondment to try do something small to help those with stories not dissimilar from what I have seen on the news."
Georgina Kirkwood Associate, London
Of those people who have been assisted by ELIL, approximately 70% have been granted asylum, compared with an average success rate in Greece of 32%. Being part of this initiative allowed me to see first-hand the importance of pro bono legal advice, especially for those who are vulnerable and have very few other avenues to obtain such assistance.
Patrick Hassan Associate, Dubai
Prisoners' Advice Service and Life After Guantanamo Project
We see giving back to one's community as an integral part of our identity, and we can only grow by promoting the growth of others. We are also very blessed to be in a position where we can provide insight and support to key institutions, and players in our country, whom in turn may be able to make small and substantive changes that benefit one person, a group of people, or the community as a whole."
Sara Moubaydeen, Associate
Giving generously to our community in Amman
Our people in Amman, Jordan, generously contribute to a local charity bank usually ahead of religious occasions, reflecting a tradition of donating to good causes during major holidays in the Islamic calendar. Despite being a small team, they have in single donations donated over 300 toys, along with clothes and a baby crib to the charity which is dedicated to supporting underserved communities.
I really wanted to become a lawyer in order to help people in difficulties and I was anxious that a move into private practice would make 'human impact' work more difficult. I was absolutely delighted to find so many people at Dentons who really are putting in a huge amount of time and effort on pro-bono matters and I'm really grateful that Dentons has put the framework in place to support and encourage pro-bono work at all levels."
Sarah Partridge-Smith, Senior Associate
Supporting shelters and foodbanks
Helping local people in crisis is a cause we have always supported and volunteered for including with Milton Keynes Winter Night Shelter, Bethany Trust Winter Care Shelter, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes Foodbank, Glasgow South East Food Bank.
Impact is what matters most so we are focused on addressing the pressing legal needs of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups to really spread meaningful change. In doing so, we give our people the opportunity to expand their legal and personal development."
Dan Bodle, Partner, Committee Chair
Pro Bono Partner Sponsors and our region-wide committee
Reinforcing our dedication to increase access to justice services, our Pro Bono Partner Sponsors steer and foster an ethos of responsibility to maintain a strong pro bono culture through strategic leadership. Our Pro Bono Partners, Sarah Lima and Dan Bodle have responsibility for our Pro Bono practice which is managed by our Pro Bono Manager (Lawyer) Jamie Garside and delivers the same standard of excellence as we would for fee-paying clients. Pro Bono Partners are members of our ESG Committee to ensure true integration and embedding of pro bono across all facets of our Firm and are guided by our region-wide Pro Bono Committee which we are pleased now reflects our whole region.
Sarah Partridge-Smith, Senior Associate in our Regulatory and Investigations Group, was awarded our inaugural Pro Bono Superstar of the Quarter Award in October 2023. Our Pro Bono and Community Committee was won over by her brilliant supervision of a trainee seconded to the Capital Appeals Project; by her work as Pro Bono Champion; and by the amazing work Sarah does on cases for the National Centre for Domestic Violence.
Rewarding and recognising our pro bono and volunteering superstars
Leadership & accountability
Sarah's Pro Bono Superstar of the Quarter Award safe and proudly displayed at home
Philip Knight (Partner), Christie Jamieson (Associate), Victoria Rae (Associate), Giulia Ross (Associate) and Jennifer Quigley (Trainee) volunteering at the Bethany Christian Trust homeless shelter.
With a dedicated Responsible Business team focused solely on evolving our internal ESG programme, we are pleased to have an equally comprehensive good governance framework. While each section of this report covers how we hold ourselves accountable, centrally, we are also pleased to highlight these mechanisms:
Commitment to several Sustainable Development Goals
Investment hours
Drawing together environmental, social impact and good governance matters under one orchestrated umbrella, we have established an ESG Committee to provide oversight of the implementation of our responsible business approach. The Committee has the authority to investigate any matter within its broad Terms of Reference and to take appropriate action to ensure all appropriate policies on ESG matters are in place, and that such policies are regularly reviewed and updated. Overseeing our Environmental Action Group, Pro Bono and Communities Committee, Inclusion and Diversity Groups, and Wellbeing Committee, the ESG Committee comprises of senior leaders including two members of our regional Board.
Establishment of a best practice, region-wide ESG Committee
ESG (Left to right) Members of our UKIME Internal ESG Committee: Dan Bodle (Partner - Pro Bono Partner Sponsor), Lucille De Silva (Partner), Claire England (Head of Responsible Business), Akin Akinbode (Partner), Jayne Schnider (Partner - Wellbeing, Partner Sponsor), Sarah Lima (Partner - Pro Bono Partner Sponsor). Not pictured: Eavan Saunders (Partner - Ireland Managing Partner), Helen Bowdren (ESG Committee Chair)
Our region has ambitions to meaningfully impact the world’s best-practice ESG framework – the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In total, we commit to positively impacting seven of the goals. Endorsed by our regional Board, this sees our most ambitious grassroots targets to date, and enhanced programmes and policies work in harmony to improve our environmental sustainability, social responsibility and governance practices. While we are not yet signatories of the UN Global Compact, we intend to be and so have adopted the Goals informally for now. Read about our global progress here.
Everyone in our firm has an allowance of 70 investment hours to be active members of the community, supporting those who need our skills most. Investment hours include any combination of pro bono or other charitable, volunteering, recruitment, innovation, inclusion and diversity, wellbeing, or environmental matters.
A globally recognised assessment platform rating sustainability based on environmental impact, labour and human rights standards, ethics, and procurement practices, we were pleased to receive a bronze certification from EcoVadis which we are striving to improve.
Established in 1994, our Charitable Trust makes donations to charities on behalf of our people who take part in fundraising initiatives and to support small charities in our local communities. In 2023/24 the Trust donated £231,710 to charities working to support families living in poverty, the elderly, disabled, homelessness, ex-offenders and their families, education and youth projects in our local communities. We have multiplied the impact of the Trust's funding by providing pro bono legal and other free professional support for the Trust's partners as well as additional funds raised by our people.
Donations
EcoVadis
Our Charitable Trust and fundraising via Charities of the Year
Our Trustees
Claire Armstrong, Managing Partner, Scotland
David Payton, Partner
Dan Bodle, Partner
Gareth Steen, Partner
Like all commitments we have made in our journey to become a more responsible business, we are acutely aware of the expert-led changes that are needed in order for them to be achieved. In the past 12 months, our region has established a "best-in-class" Responsible Business team to embed ESG policies and programmes and is now 8 strong.
Appointing more people to champion ESG practices
Bernadette O'Sullivan, Community Manager
Tulsi Patel, Inclusion & Wellbeing Manager
Caroline Connolly, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Jamie Garside, Pro Bono Manager (Lawyer)
Abbie Hildrew, Inclusion, Wellbeing and Community Advisor
Jenna Duguid, Responsible Business Advisor
Zach Finan, Responsible Business Support Assistant
As our Firm's first ever Global ESG Officer, Aragon St-Charles is responsible for the design, implementation and leadership of our Firm’s global ESG strategy. Aragon works closely and collaboratively with Dentons’ global leadership team and Global Board, to bring together critically important efforts across our Firm, while coordinating with our Firm’s Global ESG Steering Committee, responsible for developing market-leading ESG products and services for Dentons’ clients. A champion for ESG, Aragon ensures stakeholder engagement, and promotes key issues and considerations at all levels
Appointment of our first Global ESG Officer
