Victoria Jackson, Senior Associate at Clyde & Co, discusses the importance of inclusive culture
BY MYGWORK, IMAGE BY MYGWORK
“Diversity and inclusion are absolutely critical in the running of a successful business. They have to be at the core of all that you do. The more we can do to understand and appreciate the nuances in all of us, the more inclusive our working environments become.” Victoria Jackson, Senior Associate at Clyde & Co, spoke to myGwork about the inclusive culture at the global law firm. As a nominee for Top 10 Future Leaders in the British LGBTQ+ Awards, she understands firsthand the positive impact of diversity, and how the way its handled can make or break an aspiring business.
Victoria grew up in the Wirral – the same birthplace borough as Pete Burns and the late Paul O’Grady, two prolific, bold queer figures. Proudly joining the LGBTQIA alumni of Merseyside, Victoria has exercised a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion for many years now, and continues to promote the importance of visible role models in the business industry. Through witnessing the steady advancements in LGBTQIA acceptance, she has become increasingly confident in her identity, putting her right at the center of Clyde & Co’s progressive culture.
“As an openly gay lawyer, I try to share my stories and experiences of coming out to help others on their own personal journeys,” said Victoria. “I understand the importance of visible role models within a business and feel that I have truly stepped up to deliver this. My extensive D&I work resulted in me being listed in the OUTstanding Top 100 LGBT+ Future Leaders 2020 and 2021 List.”
After joining UK and Ireland law firm BLM in 2012, which merged with Clyde & Co in 2022, Victoria felt inspired to begin campaigning for an LGBTQ+ Allies network. The first network of its kind at BLM, she felt it was important that those who wanted to openly support the community had the means to do so. Describing it as a standout achievement in her career so far, the formation of this group inspired LGBTQIA staff members to feel less isolated at work, giving them the ability to authentically express themselves.
Despite setting up this network just before the 2020 Lockdown took place, it was still a resounding success. The obstacles caused by the limitations of working from home only inspired Victoria to find new and creative ways to keep the network strong and growing. This innovative way of thinking was so well-achieved that it even resulted in a prestigious award nomination.
“We gained traction with allies and support from senior leaders,” she shared. “We found creative ways to reach out to staff in the pandemic- online movie nights, quizzes, panel discussions, lunch and learn meetings. Overall, the success of the network warranted a nomination for Outstanding Network Award at The Inclusive Employers Awards 2022.”
It’s a testament to the transformative path Victoria took that someone with the ability to help set up and promote such a multi-faceted and inclusive network was once closeted at work – and for several years at that. Fearing that openly identifying in the workplace could impact relationships with colleagues, create difficult conversations, and even hinder potential progress within the company, she felt the need to be careful when discussing her life outside the workplace. As is common in such environments, rumours began to spread regarding Victoria’s identity, and a colleague eventually approached her to clarify. After opening up, she felt a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and that she could finally begin living authentically. She made clear, however, that for many LGBTQIA people, these steps are only the start of their journey.
“Coming out is not a one-off experience; the default assumption is that you are straight,” she explained. “However, being true to your identity allows you to be your best at work and create better working relationships. I am very fortunate to work with a team and company that values diversity. I have developed deep and lasting relationships with my colleagues which go beyond the workplace, and their attitudes of acceptance without exception is something I truly value.”
This newfound confidence and opportunity to live freely inspired Victoria to take Clyde & Co’s diversity initiatives to the next level. The LGBTQ+ network Pryde & Co has clear objectives of raising awareness, establishing accountability, and ensuring peer-to-peer support is available. The incredible impact of this network saw Victoria being previously nominated for Top 10 Future Leaders in the British LGBTQ+ Awards – an achievement she credits to her hard-working colleagues.
“I was completely overwhelmed by the nomination. I have to say however it was testimony to not only me, but also my colleagues’ efforts in driving LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace.”
Victoria went onto acknowledge the ever-changing landscape for running a successful business, explaining that diversity in the workplace has a vital role to play. By introducing people from various backgrounds and life experiences, and placing value on education, new concepts and ideas can be brought to the table that would have otherwise been overlooked.
“D&I is absolutely critical in the running of a successful business. It has to be at the core of all that you do. Education is key. The more we can do to understand and appreciate the nuances in all of us, the more inclusive our working environments become.”
Looking to the future of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Victoria expressed a desire to shift the focus onto protecting and uplifting the transgender community. Given the continued vilification of the community in the media, and a concerning increase in transphobic attitudes as a result, it’s important to her that Clyde & Co sets a good example in maintaining an inclusive space.
“We need to continue to drive education and awareness, particularly in the trans space,” she said. “There is so much more work to be done here. There remains a disproportionate number of trans people who feel unable to bring their authentic self to the workplace and we all need to do more to make sure of trans community is supported.”
Clyde & Co is a proud partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ business community. Find out more about jobs at Clyde & Co.
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