Business with impact
An independent, people-first organisation. Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
We believe in fair opportunity and inclusion for every individual that walks through our doors. The difference in cultures, backgrounds and previous life experiences is exactly what makes White & Black the place it is today.
Diversity & Inclusion
White & Black is fully committed to promoting equality and diversity within the firm and to providing equal opportunities in employment. We believe in fair opportunity and inclusion for every individual that walks through our doors. The difference in cultures, backgrounds and previous life experiences is exactly what makes White & Black the place it is today.
We foster a culture that allows our people to be challenged, continue developing and realise their full potential, regardless of who they are.
This isn’t just about the individual. Diverse teams are smarter. We know that a diverse workforce is essential for us to be able to provide the best possible service to our clients and continue to be the best possible presence in our immediate community.
A high level of diversity in our team means we question assumptions and continue to innovate in our problem solving, both for our clients and our own business.
White & Black is a signatory to The Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter. The Charter is a public commitment by providers of legal services, regardless of practice size, to develop and implement best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion – as employers, as providers of legal services, as purchasers of services and in their wider roles in society.
At a Glance:
• Over 50% of the firm’s entire workforce are women, including leadership roles such as CEO, Head of Operations and Head of Finance.
• In 2023 the firm introduced Cultural Days on top of annual leave. Rather than doing the same as many firms and giving all staff two extra days during the Christmas period, we allow staff to use the two days for their own religious or national holidays or other personal, meaningful occasions.
• We maintain equality in benefits across our firm. All employees, regardless of position, seniority or length of service, have access to the same suite of optional benefits including private health insurance and cash back schemes, health and fitness monthly allowance, 28 days leave plus 2 extra Cultural Days and much more.
• We believe in making the legal industry as accessible as possible. That’s why we have invested time in developing our training routes for entry level positions like Trainee Solicitors. We will support trainees through their Solicitors Qualifying Exams, sponsoring exam costs and employing trainees with us as part-time paralegals during this period to provide them with experience and income. This year we have also opened the Graduate Apprenticeship route for the first time, taking on a trainee under the scheme.
• All parents have access to maternity or paternity leave, the first 6 weeks at full pay and up to a further 12 weeks at half pay.
• Staff receive monthly internal training on topics including menopause in the workplace, neurodivergence in the workplace and disability and cancer in the workplace. These training sessions are periodic with refresh sessions carried out every year.
Charity, Sponsorship & Social Mobility
Whilst our client base may be international, investing in the local community and environment around us remains absolutely central to our operation as a business. We believe in using our privileged position to make a difference to the lives around us, wherever and however we can.
We have an unusually wide reach for a business of our size and we are wholly committed to supporting charitable and community causes wherever possible. We actively look for and develop these relationships.
Maggie’s Oxford
We have partnered with Maggie’s Cancer Centre based in the grounds of the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. Our CEO Victoria Wright also sits on Maggie’s Fundraising Board. Maggie’s provides emotional support and practical advice; a place to go to meet and talk to people who are going through the same things. The support offered by Maggie’s is free and is provided in unique buildings that are all designed to make receiving cancer support as easy and inviting as possible.
In summer 2024, the whole White & Black team took part in a 12 hour non-stop rowing challenge to raise money for the centre. With the help of generous donations, and the generous loan of equipment from Buzz Gym Oxford, the team were able to raise £4.6k during the challenge, every penny of which went directly to Maggie’s Oxford centre.
The team are already developing plans for a number of fundraising events in 2025, some of which will be organised in collaboration with other local and regional businesses that support Maggie’s.
Schools Access
“…One of the most impactful industry visits we have had.”
Head of Academic Enrichment
“Students have been glowing in their feedback about it since. I would highly recommend this opportunity to other school groups.”
Deputy Head of Sixth Form
The Tap Social Movement
Environmental
At White & Black, not only do we care deeply about ensuring ethical working practices and diversity in our workplace, but we are also committed to
sustainable and environmentally responsible working.
We strive to be a low-emissions business. Our central Oxford offices are heated and cooled using state-of-the-art low-carbon air source heat pumps which are proven to be more efficient than regular heating mechanisms. We are supporters of low-carbon commuting and as such we have invested
in electric vehicle charging points and bicycle storage at our offices for the use of our team and clients. We offer all our staff a cycle-to-work scheme as part of our benefits package, allowing them to buy a bicycle and bicycle equipment tax-free, and we will support staff with public transport loans
should they wish to use them.
Our offices are in a listed building and all rooms are finished with carbon-absorbent limestone plaster. We have a waste management policy in place, and we recycle where it’s possible to do that. In addition, we’re transitioning to being a paperless working environment, and have introduced a number of smart devices for note taking and working.
We want to do all we can to reduce our impact on the environment and bring about positive change. That’s why we’re using the B Corp Framework to formalise existing practices and policies and bring in more changes to our day-to-day work at White & Black. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve already achieved but we know we must keep improving and that there is always more to do.
