Manchester-headquartered international law firm DWF on Monday announced new targets to increase the diversity within its senior leadership positions over the next three years.

DWF operates in 27 locations with 3,200 staff.

The company became the first “Main Market Premium Listed” legal business on the London Stock Exchange in March 2019.

DWF recorded revenue of £272.4 million in the year ended April 30, 2019.

“DWF meets the voluntary target of having at least 33% of women on its plc board as set out in the Hampton-Alexander Review in respect of gender balance and aims to at least maintain its current gender diversity, having no fewer than three women on the board,” said the firm.

“DWF is targeting female representation on its executive board to be at least 33% by 2022 (an increase from 27% currently) and for women to hold at least 30% of other senior leadership positions (an increase from 27% currently).

“The business also targets to achieve at least 10% BAME representation across senior leadership positions, inclusive of the board membership by 2022 and the board plans to initiate BAME pay gap reporting by the end of 2020.”

BAME stands for black, Asian and minority ethnic.

DWF CEO Andrew Leaitherland said: “At DWF we share a common ambition with other progressive businesses to improve diversity on our main board, executive board and across our wider senior leadership.

“We want these targets to take us further than ever before.

“The goals are based on our learnings over the past few years and are founded in our belief that inclusion, diversity and equality are fundamental to driving our future success and demonstrate the commitment of our leadership to effect change, making DWF truly open to all.”

Seema Bains, partner and head of the Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Group at DWF, said: “Becoming diverse rarely happens by accident.

“Real diversity and inclusion require change and commitment.

“We are serious about recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce as well as ensuring our colleagues have access to opportunities to grow and progress.”