Law firm staff ‘inspired’ by Women’s Day session
Law firm Royds Withy King welcomed Bath MP Wera Hobhouse to its head office for a talk to inspire staff ahead of International Women’s Day.
Speaking to employees during the lunchtime event, Ms Hobhouse shared her remarkable journey from artist to local councillor and then MP, explaining some of the challenges along the way.
She then answered questions on a variety of subjects, including Brexit, women in leadership roles, parental leave and standing for the Liberal Democrat party leadership.
She also highlighted her private members’ bill on upskirting, which was passed last year and received widespread acclaim in the national press.
The event came at the end of a week-long diversity campaign by the firm, which was spearheaded by its equality, diversity and inclusion steering group.
The group – led by Bharat Nahar, who was appointed as the firm’s first ED&I board partner last autumn – is working to ensure that equal opportunities and inclusivity are completely embedded within the organisation’s culture and reflect the make-up of its communities.
Ms Hobhouse said: “I really enjoyed visiting Royds Withy King to talk about women’s achievements, diversity and how we can all make sure society, businesses and institutions become more diverse and inclusive.”
Royds Withy King solicitor, Charlotte Webb, who organised the event as part of her role on the ED&I steering group, said: “It was a real pleasure to host Wera at our event. Her stories and insight, particularly as a women’s advocate, inspired everyone who attended and it was a very valuable opportunity for many of our people to hear from such an interesting, informed and passionate speaker.”
Ms Hobhouse recently put forward a new private members’ bill to recognise misogyny as a hate crime, saying that gender-based violence and discrimination disproportionately impacted women.