AuthentiCity to support LGBT* prospective employees.
International law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has announced the launch of ‘AuthentiCity’, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender* (LGBT*) initiative aimed at students and graduates bringing together some of the biggest organisations in UK business. The inaugural event will take place on 6 July 2016 at BLP’s offices in London.
Partnering with leading employers, Aviva, JLL, JP Morgan, KPMG and M&G, BLP has created an annual, one-day event for UK-based LGBT* students and graduates to experience a taster of what life is like at a City law-firm, whilst also providing the opportunity to receive expert advice on a number of different careers. The event will comprise of a variety of interactive sessions including a Q&A break-out with senior members of staff and workshops exploring what different sectors can offer from a career point of view. Advice will also be readily available from senior people across the organisations to help attendees gain an insight into what it is like to be, and what it means being, an LGBT* person in the workplace.
Daisy Reeves, Partner and LGBT Champion at Berwin Leighton Paisner, said: “LGBT* rights in the workplace might well have come a long way over recent years but there is still a lot of work to do for many LGBT* people to feel comfortable in the work environment. At BLP we value a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing different perspectives from all walks of life to the business, and we want to ensure that our current and future staff feel comfortable about being their authentic selves in the workplace.
“The launch of AuthentiCity is a great starting point for this, bringing together industry leaders from sectors including accountancy, law, investment banking, insurance, fund management and real estate to offer advice, understanding and mentoring to the next generation of London’s workforce. We aim to dispel the myth about the nature of City-life when it comes to LGBT* issues and therefore start to help attendees achieve their professional ambitions.”
Kris Phelps, Group Manager, Stonewall, commented: “This is a fantastic and necessary initiative from BLP and other organisations. At Stonewall we know that people perform better when they can be themselves. The firms involved in AuthentiCity are sending a clear message to LGBT graduates and apprentices that their sexual orientation and gender identity will have no impact on their career development.”
For details about the event visit authenticity-event.com.
