The recognition is reserved for organisations demonstrating embedded, effective and continuously improving LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The status reflects the firm’s long-standing commitment to ethical practice, responsible business and building a workplace culture aligned with its wider B Corp and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) priorities.
Stonewall is Europe’s largest charity campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights and describes its champion status as acknowledging employers whose inclusion work is consistently delivering impact, where policies, behaviours and culture show that LGBTQ+ inclusion is firmly taking root across the organisation.
Freeths earned the accreditation following strong performance across Stonewall’s refreshed proud employers framework, which assesses organisations against eight areas of inclusive practice.
Stonewall highlighted several strengths in Freeths’ submission. These included visible senior leadership engagement around LGBTQ+ inclusion and robust cross‑network collaboration and allyship, supported by joint initiatives between employee networks.
Stonewall also praised the firm’s impactful internal storytelling campaigns, which amplify LGBTQ+ voices and lived experiences.
In addition, the firm’s LGBTQ+ podcast and book club were recognised for building awareness, education and a sense of community across offices.
Lou Silver, (pictured) senior EDI and community engagement manager said: “This accreditation is a powerful recognition of the progress we’ve made, but importantly, it also reflects the collective commitment across the firm to creating a workplace where LGBTQ+ colleagues feel seen, supported and able to thrive.
“Stonewall’s new framework has helped us sharpen our focus on the areas that matter most, from inclusive policies and leadership accountability to the everyday culture we cultivate in our teams.
“Achieving champion status shows that our work is having a real impact, and it gives us a clear direction for what comes next. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited about the next stage of our inclusion journey.”
The proud employers accreditation replaces Stonewall’s former diversity champions programme, introducing a more outcome-focused framework to measure meaningful, sustained progress.
The new status also gives Freeths a clear roadmap for strengthening its approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion across the firm.
As part of the next stage of its EDI strategy, the firm is focused on widening accountability beyond employee networks, including embedding explicit LGBTQ+ inclusion within onboarding for new starters and recruitment processes.
