Square One Law boss Gill Hunter named British Chambers of Commerce equity body lead

A North East law firm boss is to lead a national equality drive.

Gill Hunter has been named chair of the British Chambers of Commerce’s Workplace Equity Commission.

The managing partner of Newcastle’s Square One Law will work with experts and businesses to set equity, diversity and inclusion recommendations for the Government and employers.

The commission – launched as part of a three-year workplace equality campaign – will examine areas including age, disability, race and gender.

Gill said: “The commission will see top-class experts and business leaders develop real solutions to the challenges we come up against on our path to a truly equitable, inclusive and representative economy.”

Set to run for a year from September, the commission will receive input from experts including Stonewall chair Iain Anderson; political commentator Ayesha Hazarika; Women of the World founder and chief executive Jude Kelly; and Scope chief executive Mark Hodgkinson.

John McCabe, North East England Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: “We are incredibly proud to have Gill lead on such an important piece of work.”

Shevaun Haviland, British Chambers of Commerce director general, added: “True equity across our workplaces is not only important for our society, but also imperative to the functioning of a healthy economy.

“Together with industry and Chamber leaders, our aim is to deliver a pragmatic and ambitious equity, diversity and inclusion roadmap for businesses and the Government, which will leave a lasting and meaningful impact on workplaces across the UK.”