In 2021 we participated in the National Equality Standard (NES) assessment, which was created by Ernst & Young to provide a set of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion criteria by which companies can be assessed. This detailed audit looked at where we’re at as well as where we’re going.
We are delighted to receive NES accreditation after our first audit, which is achieved by only 25 per cent of organisations who take part. But while the NES findings report confirmed that we have robust policies and practices in place, it also highlighted the areas where we can improve.
Thanks to this process, and in line with NES recommendations, we have implemented the following Group-wide policies:
- Diversity and Inclusion training for every employee
- Inclusive Leadership training for senior managers, the Leadership team and the Executive Committee
- reviewing our general recruitment and talent processes
- launching a project to collect more comprehensive diversity data across our business.