Law firm Walkers has signed up to the Jersey Institute of Directors’ Diversity & Inclusion Charter – a set of guiding principles and objectives to support employers of all kinds to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Partner Alexandra Corner, a Banking & Finance lawyer who chairs the firm’s Channel Islands Diversity and Inclusion Committee, said that signing up to and supporting the Charter is a way to demonstrate to staff, clients and potential employees that Walkers is an organisation that takes the D&I agenda seriously.

The Charter is built on the principles that: everyone should feel they belong; everyone should have the opportunity to thrive; we should all treat others fairly and inclusively; discrimination and bias should be challenged; inclusion is at the heart of great leadership; and organisations should be courageous in challenging the status quo.

“I am delighted that we are supporting the Charter,” said Alexandra.

“Walkers is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can feel comfortable, happy and confident in an inclusive environment. The Charter recognises that we are all on a D&I journey and we really look forward to the planned workshops where we can collaborate with other Jersey businesses and share experiences.”

Alexandra also sits on the firm’s Global D&I Committee along with representatives from the firm’s Asian, Caribbean and European offices.

In August last year, Walkers signed the IoD’s Jersey Diversity and Inclusion 2020 Vision Statement, a precursor to the Charter, and lawyers from Walkers’ Investment Funds and Corporate Law, and Banking and Finance Law practice groups took part in workshops aimed at collaboratively shaping the Charter.

Fraser Hern, the Head of Walkers’ Channel Islands’ business, said: “The core principles contained within the IoD Diversity & Inclusion Charter set out values that align with our own D&I vision, and I am very pleased that we are able to commit to them. The D&I agenda is an important one for many of the people who are joining us, who expect to understand a firm’s values when they make decisions about where to develop their careers. Given the 30% increase in headcount in our Jersey office in the last twelve months alone, the Charter and our D&I vision become even more important to us.”