TOP 15 - NETWORK GROUPS
Being UK
Being represents a collective, international and multicultural mosaic of diverse backgrounds. We recognise there is an intersectional nature surrounding identity and lived experiences, so we believe that diversity of culture, ethnicity, nationality, all bring our world into focus. We are committed to promoting inclusivity across cultures, showcasing underrepresented voices, insights and stories to cultivate career growth, promote visibility, foster talent and cultural fluency, and create opportunities to be involved in our local communities.
Black Diversity Council
The Black Diversity Council (BDC) is a collective that empowers the Black community at Linklaters. As representatives of this community, the BDC voice their concerns and perspectives, acting as a bridge between decision-makers and Black colleagues.
The BDC’s mission is to drive racial equity by holding the firm accountable for its Race Action Plan. Through fostering safe spaces for open dialogue, the BDC measures the impact of equity initiatives and ensures that Black voices are heard in shaping firm policies.
The group’s insights inform senior management, ensuring that the firm’s equity efforts are responsive to the needs and lived experiences of Black individuals.
Black Employee Network
The Black Employee Network (BEN) is an employee resource group at Amazon that’s open to Black employees and allies. BEN’s mission at Amazon is to recruit, retain and empower Black employees across the business. In the UK, BEN provides Amazon employees with nationwide access to resources and networking opportunities, and engages in initiatives that support personal and professional growth. BEN connects members with mentors and provides career and personal development workshops. It is responsible for hosting internal events year-round and driving external initiatives within the wider ethnic minority community.
Black Professionals Resource Group
The Barclays Black Professionals Resource Group (BPRG) is an open community with over 3,000 members that aims to empower all colleagues with key skills and experiences that will help them progress their careers, whilst creating opportunities to give back by encouraging the development of others, both within Barclays and externally within our communities.
We do this through championing the benefits of diversity at Barclays, whilst sharing the lived experiences and celebrating the cultural heritage of its members.
Our BPRG team is filled with colleagues who volunteer their time to help create a sense of inclusion, belonging and understanding by encouraging allyship with businesses and senior leaders through creating safe spaces for dialogue and enquiry. Additionally, BPRG strives to improve outcomes for our wider stakeholders through our mentoring programs with schools and youth organisations; through our charity work and through mentoring and supporting Black businesses.
Computacenter’s Ethnic Diversity Employee Impact Group
The EIG efforts have been focused on four pillars to achieve the following: speaking freely, to create an environment which enables employees to speak openly, and identifying actions to improve employee experience.
Educating by facilitating the delivery of targeted education to every employee, in order to equip them with the knowledge they need to promote a positive and inclusive environment for all.
Cultivating talent by supporting the recruitment, retention and advancement of a more ethnically diverse talent pool across all jobs. Having an external impact by supporting initiatives as part of a commitment to making the IT industry more accessible to people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Cultural Awareness Network EMEA
UBS’s Cultural Awareness Network EMEA (CAN) is dedicated to creating a safe space , to having open conversations and celebrating cultural diversity. CAN’s purpose is to inspire members to be culturally inquisitive and educate them about different cultures through:
• The provision of toolkits to educate employees about the significance of global cultural events.
• Holding events on cultural topics, including Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Unesco World Culture Day.
Through the success of the toolkits and events, CAN has created a feeling of belonging (a core part of UBS’s DE&I strategy) by fostering an environment where all cultures are welcomed and respected.
Fusion Employee Network Group
Macquarie’s Fusion Employee Network Group (ENG) connects and empowers colleagues of different races, ethnicities, cultures and faiths. Employees have access to networking opportunities, learning experiences (e.g. allyship and active bystander training), volunteering events, affinity groups (including Black and Muslim employees) and development initiatives to empower their career growth in an inclusive environment. They also educate their people on challenges in the community and the workplace, including awareness campaigns (Black History Month, ESEA Heritage Month). Fusion also partners with other ENGs to ensure intersectional perspectives are heard, including those on neurodiversity and gender equity.
Hispanic/Latino Organisation for Leadership & Advancement (HOLA)
The Hispanic/Latino Organisation for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) is Johnson Matthey’s newest employee resource group, but has quickly become one of the most impactful. HOLA provides a safe space for Hispanic/Latino employees and allies to network, share cultures and develop their careers. In the past year, they have organised global celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month, run intersectional events to highlight ethnicity inclusion, offered personal and professional development opportunities to members and established a summer experience for a Hispanic student from Bilbao University in one of Johnson Matthey’s UK labs.
Moody's UK Multicultural BRG
Moody’s UK Multicultural BRG organises events, workshops and initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion and social responsibility among employees, clients and communities. Their work with TENT Refugees, a global organisation that supports refugees and displaced people, is especially remarkable. The TENT mentorship programme helps refugee women to find jobs and integrate in their new environment, while also bringing diverse talents and insights to our organisation. The UK MBRG embodies the values and vision of the Ethnicity Awards.
ONE employee Resource Group
ONE is an ERG that aim to make National Grid a more diverse and inclusive organisation by empowering everyone from ethnic minorities to bring their whole selves to work and reach their full potential, while engaging and developing allies to drive positive change at all levels. Despite the challenges that Covid and lockdowns presented, the ERG launched a survey to understand the needs of employees and members thereby leading to a refresh of its strategy by focusing on:
• Raising awareness and providing education around topics important to ethnic minorities
• Supporting and developing our members, allies and the next generation
Positively Ethnic Network (PEN)
The Positively Ethnic Network (PEN) is BP’s ERG for UK-based ethnic minorities, promoting inclusion and advocating for change by fostering a sense of belonging. PEN’s intranet page has the highest engagement among bp’s ERGs, with ~35 per cent annual member growth since 2021 (c.1,200 members). PEN encourages members to bring their authentic selves to work and promotes allyship, advocacy and sponsorship across the organisation through initiatives like the “Making career changes HapPEN” development program and the “PENPals” allyship program. PEN unites BP’s diverse workforce through vibrant celebrations and collaborations with other ERGs, embedding inclusion and intersectionality into the fabric of BP.
Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Business Resource Group
This group has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication by fostering an inclusive workplace that celebrates the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity that makes up its teams and contributes to business success.
Through its innovative campaigns and unwavering commitment, the Reach BRG has significantly enhanced the cultural competence and cross-cultural cohesion within the business both at the head office and the in-store environment.
The BRG has created an authentic community of belonging where members and customers feel understood, valued and respected and allies were empowered to advocate for racial equity.
Whitbread Race, Religion and Cultural Heritage Network
Whitbread’s race, religion, cultural and heritage network was created in 2020. It’s one of four networks at the company which champions inclusivity, aiming to create the most inclusive workplace where all 35,000+ employees can be themselves at work. Its primary goal is to foster an environment where individuals feel empowered to express their identities without fear of judgment or discrimination. The network works closely with the business to drive positive change. Some examples include:
• Equipping teams to be confident and capable in diversity and inclusion.
• Fostering an inclusive culture
• Developing and consulting on inclusive policies and promoting the MyNameIs campaign.
The REAHL Network (Race & Ethnicity at Hogan Lovells)
The REAHL (Race and Ethnicity at Hogan Lovells) Network has a simple goal: to find effective solutions that will achieve the firm’s strategic commitment to the retention, progression and inclusion of people from diverse racial backgrounds. This is an inclusive group that aims to challenge misconceptions about race and unconscious bias in the workplace, and foster a working culture that is comfortable, educated and dynamic; a culture where talent, regardless of your race and/or ethnicity, can thrive. The network was recently succeeded by two new co-chairs Sengova Kailondo (Senior Associate) and Katrina Emmanuel (Global Senior LPM Lead). who are looking forward to the bright future of REAHL 2.0.
REACH (Race Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage)
The Reach (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) network at Macfarlanes is a forum for networking and peer support which aims to support and educate staff about ethnic, religious, faith and cultural matters. The forum enables discussions and exchange of ideas around culture, ethnicities and backgrounds.
Reach strive to encourage an environment where the culture and ethnicity of every person can be celebrated, enabling them to flourish and thrive. The network believe that their unique perspectives contribute to the tapestry that builds a successful law firm for today and for the future.