The Gold Standard is awarded to organisations that can clearly show how diversity and inclusion form an integral part of their business.

The award follows on from Matheson becoming the first law firm in Ireland to be awarded the Investors in Diversity Silver Standard last June.

Caroline Tyler, director of the Irish Centre for Diversity, said: “The Investors in Diversity mark is Ireland’s first all-encompassing equality, diversity and inclusion accreditation and offers a clear and structured framework to transform diversity practices and culture within Irish businesses.

“The Investors in Diversity Award consists of three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold, with organisations across Ireland working towards each of these different levels.

“The Irish Centre for Diversity is delighted to award Matheson the Investors in Diversity Gold Award. Matheson is the first organisation in Ireland to achieve the Gold Award, a testament to its engagement with the Irish Centre for Diversity, and its significant commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.”

Matheson managing partner Michael Jackson said: “I would like to thank and commend the Matheson team members and colleagues whose collective work and dedication across the firm to deliver on our D&I promise has made this Gold Standard possible.

“In 2019, we were the first Irish law firm to achieve the Silver Standard, and I am very proud that in 2020 we are now the first organisation in Ireland, across all sectors, to achieve the Gold Standard.”

HR director Lorraine Roche added: “We have worked hard to develop and implement our vision for D&I at Matheson, and it will continue to evolve in the future. Our approach is to harness collaboration across the business, with inputs from all our people to ensure cross-firm representation and tangible outputs to benefit colleagues.”

The Irish Centre for Diversity, supported by Ibec and the DCU Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion, works in partnership with organisations across Ireland to help them embed equality, diversity and inclusion in their businesses.