Diversity & inclusion

Mathys & Squire is committed to preserving a diverse and inclusive culture by putting D&I initiatives at the forefront of our decision making.

Under the guidance of our D&I committee, headed by our D&I Partner Caroline Warren, we strive to proactively promote D&I within the work environment by increasing visibility, but also celebrating our differences.

Diversity of thought is key to providing our clients with a broad range of perspectives and solutions. Difference can spark a conversation, drive creativity, and challenge a norm, which is why everyone is welcome at Mathys & Squire – regardless of background. Embracing diversity and actively promoting inclusion enables us to strive and serve our clients in the best way possible.

We are committed to fostering a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to sustain Mathys & Squire as a welcoming workplace for all of our employees and partners to be a part of. We provide equal opportunities to everyone so they can fulfil their potential.

Our collaborations

Career Ready

Mathys & Squire is delighted to be a partner of Career Ready, a national charity with a mission to boost social mobility through working directly with schools and supporting young people in overcoming educational and employment barriers.

We provide internship opportunities and run masterclass sessions for students interested in learning more about the IP profession. We are also part of a 12 month mentorship programme, in which our colleagues guide their mentees through the early stages of their career journeys.

UK Electronics Skills Foundation

We are thrilled to work closely with the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF), an educational charity which raises awareness of opportunities in the electronics industry for schoolchildren, helping them to develop their interest through to university study. 

As part of our collaboration, partner Jeremy Smith delivers seminars and lectures to students, discussing careers in electronics and its rewards.

The Halo Code

Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black staff’s racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. 

We welcome Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. We recognise and celebrate our staff’s identities and are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on anyone’s ability to succeed.

For more information, visit the Halo Collective website.

IP Inclusive pledge

We are members of IP Inclusive, an organisation committed to making the IP profession more inclusive. In addition, we are part of the high-level ‘think tank’ devoted to improving diversity and inclusion. The collaboration underlines the patent and trade mark professions’ commitment to create genuine, lasting changes to working practices and cultures.

Intended for signature by colleagues in senior, decision-making roles – in this case, Mathys & Squire Partners Alan MacDougall, Paul Cozens and Caroline Warren – it includes a promise to work alongside more junior members of the team to effect positive changes.

D&I survey

In 2021, all Mathys & Squire Partners and staff were invited to take part in an anonymous survey to identify demographic diversity and provide feedback on perceptions of diversity, inclusion and fairness within the firm.

As a firm, we strongly believe that D&I is at the heart of our business, and our continued work in this area will seek to support and strengthen our initiatives in maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and – most importantly – ensuring our people feel that Mathys & Squire is a place where they belong.

Our D&I policy is available to access here. Please contact us if you would like more information about how Mathys & Squire is honouring the above commitments.

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