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Freshfields’ Takeshi Nakao, Raquel Flórez and Georgia Dawson recognised for promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion and allyship
Global law firm Freshfields’ partners Raquel Flórez, Takeshi Nakao, and senior partner Georgia Dawson have been recognised for championing inclusivity in INvolve’s OUTstanding Role Models Lists 2024. Takeshi is ranked 10th on the 2024 Top 100 Executives list, while Raquel is placed just outside the top 20 on the 2024 Top 40 Advocates list, and Georgia is placed 12th.
Each year, D&I consultancy and global network INvolve names the top 100 LGBTQ+ Executives, 100 LGBTQ+ Future Leaders and 50 Ally Executives – celebrating individuals for being vocal advocates and actively working to create an environment where LGBTQ+ colleagues can bring their best professional selves to work.
Takeshi, managing partner in Tokyo, also a firm’s global sponsor of LGBTQ+ inclusion, is an advocate for marriage equality in Japan, actively supporting LGBTQ+ Lawyers and Allies Network, Japan (LLAN)’s initiatives and leading pro bono work for the cause. Takeshi also spoke in Out Leadership’s 2023 Asia Summit panel in Tokyo on the power of coming out and how leaders can create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Raquel is recognised on the Role Model List for the third year. Alongside her role as Freshfields’ head of people & reward in Spain, Raquel is a member of the D&I Committee in the Madrid office, one of the firm’s global sponsors of LGBTQ+ inclusion and a founding member of REDI - a corporate LGBTQ+ network in Spain.
Recognised for the seventh consecutive year, Georgia has placed LGBTQ+ inclusion as a central part of the firm’s overall D&I strategy, working alongside colleagues to set a global target at partner level. Georgia promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion and allyship across the firm, publicly championing the community’s achievements, and supporting its causes through pro bono work.
Commenting on the announcement, Takeshi said: “Being recognised for our inclusivity efforts is both a testament to our work so far and a reminder of the responsibility we have to create an environment where everyone feels valued. I’m proud to work alongside colleagues who share a commitment to progress, and together, we aim to set a standard that resonates not only within our firm but also throughout the industry.”
Raquel said: “It’s an honour to be included on this list for the third year in a row, especially for the opportunity it provides to amplify inclusivity. Our D&I efforts have always been about making a meaningful difference for the benefit of all. With the reach of our firm, we are in a unique position to advocate for fairness, and I believe that if each of us contributes, we can drive real change toward equity on a global scale.”
Georgia added: “It’s truly rewarding to see our focus on inclusion recognised. We’re dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels empowered to contribute and grow. We recognise there is more to do, and with continued efforts from colleagues across the firm, we will continue to drive efforts to make a lasting, positive impact both within the firm and across our industry.”
The firm has continued to make strong progress this year against its global D&I targets for 2021 – 2026, including having achieved the ambition to have at least five percent of our global partnership LGBTQ+ by 2026, three years ahead of schedule.
Since its launch, Freshfields’ LGBTQ+ employee network Halo has gone from strength to strength - now representing one of the firm’s largest employee networks with more than 100 members who, with more than 400 Halo Champions across the firm support their colleagues and promote LGBTQ+ inclusion.
