Matheson has become the first organisation in Ireland to achieve re-accreditation of the prestigious Investors in Diversity Gold Standard from the Irish Centre for Diversity, in recognition of its continued work to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees and their contributions and perspectives are valued and respected.
In 2020, Matheson became the first Irish organisation, across all sectors and industries, to receive the Investors in Diversity Gold Standard distinction and remains one of only five Irish companies to have been recognised this way. This re-accreditation for another two years further affirms Matheson’s development and implementation of its people-focused diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives.
The Gold Standard - Ireland’s only diversity and inclusion accreditation mark for business - is awarded to organisations that have demonstrated how diversity and inclusion is an integral part of their business, and firms are assessed across five pillars:
- Diverse and Inclusive Leadership
- Policies, Procedures and Processes
- Recruitment, Retention and Progression
- Recording and Monitoring
- Impact on External Diversity
Delivered as part of its Impactful Business Programme, Matheson’s D&I strategy is implemented by committees comprised of employees from across the firm who volunteer their time. Each D&I committee has a specific focus - Gender Inclusion; Families and Working Parents; Intergenerational; Disability; LGBTQ+; and Multiculturalism and Social Mobility.
Commenting on the award, Caroline Tyler, Founder and Managing Director, Irish Centre for Diversity said:
“Matheson was the first organisation in Ireland to be accredited with Investors in Diversity Gold and is one of only five companies to have achieved this level. This re-accreditation affirms that the business has continued to embed Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in its culture, across its processes and through its external impacts. Matheson has once again demonstrated that they have leaders who support the D&I agenda in practical ways, including providing the appropriate resources and leading by example. The business has also shown that team members feel they are treated fairly, with respect and are valued for their differences.”
Michael Jackson, Matheson’s Managing Partner commented:
“Matheson is honoured to have achieved this Gold Standard re-accreditation, which represents a key milestone for the firm and a testament to our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
“Building an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and everyone feels like they belong, is not only the right thing to do, but is central to making us a stronger firm and delivering better outcomes for clients. I would like to thank all of my colleagues in all sectors of the firm who give their time, enthusiasm and expertise to help devise and implement our D&I initiatives and who ensure that diversity and inclusion is a value which is embedded in our culture. We embrace diversity in everything we do, and this involves building an environment that values the different talents and experiences of our employees and allows them bring their authentic selves to work. Our commitment also extends to utilising our expertise on a wide range of issues in collaboration with clients and other organisations, including through our pro-bono work and CSR initiatives.”
“This award is a recognition of the commitment of every member of the Matheson team to embed the highest standards of Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of all our work.”
Commenting on the achievement and D&I at Matheson, Lorraine Roche, Matheson HR Director stated:
“At Matheson, we are committed to embedding and supporting a culture that drives diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We strive to promote an inclusive environment where employees have a strong sense of belonging combined with the psychological safety where they feel comfortable voicing their opinions, ideas and concerns without fear of being judged. We also recognise that having true diverse talent amongst our lawyer and business services groups is key to the continued success of the firm.”
Supported by Ibec, Investors in Diversity is Ireland’s only accreditation mark that recognises D&I performance. The programme provides a three-tiered framework to holistically transform practises and culture for the journey of continuous improvement.
