A SOCIAL landlord recently welcomed a lawyer to discuss stereotypes in the workplace.

Platform Housing Group hosted a virtual event with Jade Linton, an associate director and HR business partner at Thursfields Solicitors to mark Black History Month.

The event – which was available to all 1400 employees at the housing association – focused on the importance of diversity on the workplace.

Ms Linton is one of the three percent of black lawyers working in England and Wales. She regularly champions racial equality.

Her talk explored systematic bias in the workplace; following the presentation, Jade was joined by members from the leadership team including the landlord’s Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Froude for a panel discussion on the topics raised.

Ms Linton said : “More needs to be done to address the barriers to progression faced by minority groups in the UK, as there should be no bar on ambition."

“How can talented individuals from under represented groups get jobs on merit if the systems which underpin the sectors they wish to work in are not designed with them in mind.”

Ms Linton's other recent external speaking appearances included a round table event held by the Law Society of England and Wales where she discussed the barriers faced by black people progressing in the legal sector.

Ms Linton said: “There are many aspects to my identity, but being black and female are aspects which are immediately seen; I was delighted to be able to share how this has impacted on my journey in the legal profession to staff at Platform Housing Group.”