Womble Bond Dickinson joins Become the Bridge campaign

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) is proud to join the Become the Bridge campaign, reaffirming the firm's commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across the communities in which it operates. Joining Become the Bridge is another positive step in promoting DEI externally, a key objective in our DEI Strategy.

Become the Bridge is a growing movement that encourages organisations and individuals to take meaningful action to create more inclusive workplaces and communities. By signing up to the campaign, WBD is demonstrating its commitment to turning promises about inclusion into practical action and supporting positive change across the North East and beyond.

The firm's involvement further strengthens the work already being undertaken across its Responsible Business programme and through WBD Reach, the firm's employee network for colleagues of ethnic heritage and allies, which helps foster understanding, engagement and allyship across the business. Through events, education and collaboration, working alongside our DEI Team, WBD Reach plays an important role in creating an inclusive culture where all colleagues can contribute with confidence, feel a genuine sense of belonging, and have opportunities to succeed.

Sally Dallow, Partner Lead for Responsible Business at Womble Bond Dickinson, said:

"At WBD, we recognise that creating a fairer and more inclusive society requires collective action. By joining the Become the Bridge campaign, we are reinforcing our commitment to working alongside businesses, communities and colleagues to remove barriers, broaden access to opportunity and support positive social mobility.

Responsible Business sits at the heart of our strategy, and Become the Bridge complements the work already being championed across the firm through networks such as WBD Reach. Together, these initiatives help foster a culture where diverse perspectives are welcomed, people feel they belong, and everyone has the opportunity to realise their potential while contributing to stronger, more inclusive communities."

Paul Britton, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Womble Bond Dickinson

"Joining Become the Bridge further demonstrates our commitment to working alongside communities to promote DEI externally and, in collaboration with other organisations, take collective actions and practical steps to drive forward inclusion.

Nazmin Akthar, Managing Associate and co-chair of WBD Reach, said:

"Joining Become the Bridge is an important step in demonstrating our commitment to inclusion, both within our firm and across our communities. Meaningful change happens when organisations are prepared to listen, learn and take action, and we are proud to support a campaign that encourages exactly that.

Through WBD Reach, we have seen the impact that open conversations, education and allyship can have in fostering a culture of belonging. Becoming part of this campaign will help us build on that work and continue driving positive change."

The decision to join the campaign follows discussions with Nitin Shukla DL, a trustee of the North East Anti-Racism Coalition, who warmly welcomed WBD’s commitment and praised the firm’s dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

The announcement comes during National Inclusion Week, providing a timely opportunity to celebrate the power of diversity and inclusion. As the firm continues its inclusion journey, it remains committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of background, and to working with partners, clients and communities to help build a more equitable future for all.