INTERVIEW
Women in leadership: in numbers Proportion of women in law firms: 53%
reflects. “Law offered a platform where I could combine rigorous thinking with making a meaningful impact in the world.” That impact is now being felt well beyond the courtroom. Birketts, which has seven offices in the UK – one of which is located on Station Road in Cambridge – has become a driving force for gender equality in the legal profession. Shortlisted for two Legal 500 ESG awards, including best initiative to improve female representation within senior ranks, the firm is earning national recognition for its commitment to change. Personal experience, professional drive Baker’s journey hasn’t followed a traditional trajectory. Qualifying in 2006, she began her career as the legal landscape was shifting. “I was lucky,” she says. “I was trained by two male partners who treated me with kindness and respect, and took the time to invest in me. That wasn’t the norm: many of my peers, especially at City firms, had harder stories to tell.” She describes how, even then, certain areas of law, like commercial litigation where she first cut her teeth, were deemed unsuitable for women. “There were comments such as, ‘How will you manage this job if you want children?’ It’s astonishing to look back on.” Today, Baker is not only a senior figure at Birketts but also a mother of three. Her personal experience of balancing motherhood with professional ambition has only deepened her resolve. “Seeing women succeed within traditionally male-dominated fields like law can inspire and empower others to pursue their own ambitions without feeling constrained by gender stereotypes.”
Making change happen It’s one thing to observe the problem; it’s quite another to fix it. At Birketts, the solution has been twofold: practical programmes that empower women to lead, and a culture that makes leadership genuinely accessible. “Birketts’ diversity programme is supported by the board and championed by our CEO, Jonathan Agar, and senior partner, Chris Schwer,” Baker explains. “Their leadership and dedication to promoting gender equality have been instrumental in driving our initiatives forward. Ultimately, Birketts’ strong ambitions for gender parity are driven by a desire to build a more equitable and successful organisation. By championing diversity and inclusion, the firm not only supports employees but also enhances its ability to serve clients effectively and sustainably.” Two flagship initiatives for women at the company – Clearing the Pathway to Leadership and Pathway to Partner – have already borne fruit. Since 2020, the proportion of women in the partnership has risen from 27% to 42%, with targets set for 45% by 2026 and 50% by 2030. The Clearing the Pathway programme helps women identify and navigate personal and professional hurdles. “It enables participants to identify and address specific obstacles that might be holding them back or making them less effective in their roles,” Baker elaborates. “The workshop provides practical techniques and insights to clear the path to leadership.” Meanwhile, Pathway to Partner provides a formal, structured route to partnership. It includes workshops, one-to-one mentoring and honest conversations about what senior leadership entails. “We try to make it
62% of solicitors are women
32%
of full-equity partners are women
Sources: sra.org.uk, birketts.co.uk, gov.uk
ISSUE 1 | BUSINESS EDITION | 09
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