Norton Rose Fulbright joins Real Estate Balance in its campaign for gender diversity in the sector

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has become a member of Real Estate Balance. Formed in 2015, Real Estate Balance was created to address gender imbalance at senior levels in the UK real estate sector. The organisation has a target of 50% representation of women on boards in its sights, and is also broadening its scope to include wider diversity and inclusion objectives.

 

Dan Wagerfield, partner and global head of real estate, Norton Rose Fulbright commented:

 

“We are delighted to join Real Estate Balance’s campaign to address gender imbalance in the real estate sector. It is vital to nurture and support female talent and it is a focus which is integral to Norton Rose Fulbright’s vision and strategy. We know that diversity and inclusion is a business enabler and we strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and can realise their full potential.”

 

Sue Brown, Managing Director, Real Estate Balance, commented:

 

“We’re absolutely thrilled that Norton Rose Fulbright is joining us for this journey. Our membership already includes some of the biggest names in corporate real estate, and adding one of the world’s largest law firms to our ranks sends a powerful message to organisations far and wide about the importance of valuing diversity and inclusion in business today. I’d like to thank Dan, fellow partner Louisa Roe and the whole of the Norton Rose Fulbright real estate team for stepping up and showing their support in improving the gender and diversity balance of our sector.”

 

Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to gender diversity. In January 2020, the firm announced its global ambition for beyond 2020 with an aspirational gender target of 40:40:20 (a minimum of 40% women; a minimum of 40% men; and 20% flexibility to be truly inclusive). Currently 30% of partners in the UK are women. The firm has a disciplined approach to the attraction and recruitment of women, a robust talent management process which assesses the diversity and bench-strength of the talent pipeline and targeted development plans to nurture rising talent. There are a number of initiatives in place to promote and include women at all levels, including mentoring, sponsorship and a career strategies programme, coaching for expectant and returning parents, and a broad range of diversity and inclusion employee networks.

 

In 2021, the firm was included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women for the seventh time in nine years. The firm also has a number of other initiatives as a part of its diversity and inclusion focus.

 

The Norton Rose Fulbright real estate team act for clients across the full range of real estate matters including urban regeneration projects, direct and indirect investment transactions, real estate financing, equity investment structuring, portfolio deals, corporate occupier matters, dispute resolution and development projects. As a market leader in Islamic finance, the firm also has extensive experience in Islamic financing techniques for real estate investment.