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I think the diversity drive is starting to have the opposite intended effect on some people. I wanted to write a post to apologise for being a white male as the first company (not firm) I set up 12 years ago started with just me and one other white male, so no diversity at all.

I know that’s completely the wrong attitude to have, but I’m so fed up. I try to take news like this constructively; I have hired a new member of staff for a new role for mental health and wellbeing following the newest findings, updated our website to reflect this to potential applicants who may have existing mental health issues and be looking for somewhere with support, and am currently reviewing employment contracts to offer increased flexibility for people who may need specialist treatments or appointments to help with their condition(s). And I’m not the only one – plenty of employers I know in and out of the legal profession are making advances along similar or superior lines.

But now I’m wondering if my colleagues are too white and if there are too many y-chromosomes. Last year I recruited for 4 new roles. I had 31 applicants; 14 white men, 16 white women (aging from mid-20’s to early-60’s) and one Asian gentleman. I offered a position to the Asian gentleman (on the same salary and hours as the other applicants) and he turned it down. 3 of the roles went to women and the last one to one of the men.

Like most people, I try to be an ethical, diverse employer but I cannot commit all my time to the great diversity drive with every other responsibility and, following some recent stories, it is not something I’m willing to delegate. But how can I be more diverse if I don’t get diverse applicants? I can’t relocate the firm, all the staff and their families to London where there’s greater diversity!