Simmons & Simmons has been named the most gay-friendly law firm in the UK by a leading lobby group.

In a sign of the growing awareness among law firms of the need to provote diversity in the workplace, the City firm was named the biggest improver in an annual ranking of 100 national employers compiled by Stonewall.

Lloyds TSB, the high street bank, placed top of the benchmark survey, followed by Hampshire Constabulary and Brighton & Hove City Council.

Although law firms still lagged behind other service providers such as banks and accountancy firms in welcoming gay and lesbian employees, the profession improved its showing this year with four law firms included on the list.

Simmons & Simmons, ranked 31st, was the highest-placed law firm, followed by Pinsent Masons at 50, Herbert Smith at 77 and Eversheds at 100.

David Dickinson, senior partner at Simmons & Simmons, said: "The index has been invaluable in highlighting areas in which we can improve and has provided us with guidance in all areas of diversity.

"We are proud to be recognised as a supportive and inclusive workplace and commit to further building upon our success."

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, said: "This was our most competitive index to date. We received more entries than ever before."

The index has significant influence among Britain's 1.7 million gay employees and 150,000 gay students.

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