Ferbrache & Farrell LLP

Diversity is about recognising difference (both visible and non-visible) and acknowledging the benefits this can bring to an organisation as opposed to adopting a ‘one size fits all’ approach which creates inequity and unfairness and stifles opportunities and development.

Since its inception, Ferbrache & Farrell has been committed to diversity, with our people-led culture openly recognising, welcoming and encouraging individuals from all walks of life to be either part of our team or to engage with us as valued clients.

Our aim is to provide the best quality legal service to our clients, regardless of their ethnic origin, religion, beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, background or philosophies and we apply the same principles to those we recruit as well as our established team of employees, treating everyone equitably and fairly, without bias or prejudice.

The importance of healthy minds is paramount in our environment so our team’s work/life balance and ability to spend time with family and friends are very important to us so we closely monitor the hours they work and offer flexibility and support where it is needed, particularly for those with caring responsibilities or those facing significant life-changing events.

Individuals within our team have faced numerous personal challenges in the past but have done so with our full support and that of their colleagues.  Whilst there are numerous examples that we could recount, we must respect their privacy.  There is, however, one significant challenge that affected us all and that came in the form of the COVID pandemic when everyone rallied around to offer support.  As well as complying with legal requirements and internal procedures, everyone had choices to make based on their own individual beliefs and the individual decisions they made were acknowledged and respected by everyone.  We are proud to say that, despite the financial burden to the business, particularly during the height of the pandemic, the whole team pulled together and were retained on full pay, with those who could work, willingly working from home.  Communication was clear and regular and support was available to those who struggled to come to terms with the impact the pandemic was having on their lives.  As a result, we truly believe that this has increased our team’s loyalty and commitment to us as a Firm.  Following on from this experience, some individuals have moved to more flexible working arrangements and one of the team has become a trained Mental Health First Aider which we hope, going forward, will be a valuable resource for all in their time of need.

As an organisation, we are constantly having to overcome adversity in a rapidly changing world so we need diversity and inclusion to thrive.  Our Managing Partner, Alastair Hargreaves, who is a firm believer that individual backgrounds, experiences and identities bring tremendous value to the team, said “True diversity and inclusion bring more ideas to the table, more perspectives and greater decision-making for our service-led business.”