TOP 10 - OUTSTANDING EMPLOYERS
Unlike our other Business Shortlists which are determined by a judging panel reviewing submissions; the Outstanding Employers category is determined from the submissions received in the Investing in Ethnicity Maturity Matrix.
Bank of Ireland
At the centre of our strategy is our commitment to Inclusion and Diversity. Last year, We partnered with Investing in Ethnicity as part of our Ethnicity Equality agenda to help us better understand areas we can improve on in comparison to other multinational companies. Since then we have launched our Race Equality Taskforce within the group which consists of knowledge experts from our recruitment, Employee relations, data, Communications work streams to review and progress on this agenda. A big thanks to the support of all of our colleagues but particularly those within the taskforce, our Multicultural network, our Chair Prasad Shastri, senior leaders and I&D team.
BP
Energy company bp strives to be an organisation with purpose; a company that is trusted by society, valued by shareholders and motivating for everyone who works there. The energy company believes that promoting equity and inclusion goes beyond respect for human rights, worker rights and non-discrimination – it involves finding ways to achieve a more diverse and inclusive bp while also helping to address structural disadvantages and inequality in economic opportunity and participation. The company has 14 employee-run business resource groups that support engagement and help its people to feel recognised, connected and supported. These groups help to create a sense of belonging and drive delivery of its DE&I objectives and priorities. For example, more than 250 BRG members have been trained to participate in interview panels to ensure a fair candidate assessment and selection process, underpinning a commitment to driving equity in business and in society.
HSBC UK
HSBC UK serves more than 14 million customers across the UK, supported by over 20,000 colleagues. The company offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. Its intention is to open up a world of opportunity for its customers, colleagues, communities and the planet that everyone shares. HSBC UK values difference, with diverse ideas and perspectives helping it to innovate, manage risk, and grow the business in a sustainable way.
Legal & General
Legal & General is a leading financial services group and major global investor. It aims to build a better society for the long term by investing customers’ money in things that make life better for everyone.
It is one of the world’s largest asset managers and provides powerful asset origination capabilities. Together, these underpin retirement and protection solutions. L&G is an international player in pension risk transfer, in UK and US life insurance, and in UK workplace pensions and retirement income.
It has been safeguarding people’s financial futures since 1836 through pension services and investments.
Linklaters
Linklaters is a leading global law firm, with 31 offices in 21 countries. DE&I is the pulse of the firm, running through its global business strategy and firmly embedded in its culture and values. It is committed to using its position as a global business to create fairer systems and a more inclusive culture within the firm and beyond. In 2020, Linklaters publicly declared its commitment to becoming an anti-racist firm and pledged to improve the representation of Black and under-represented minority ethnic professionals at all levels. Its Race Action Plan encapsulates the concrete actions, backed by targets, that it is taking to achieve this goal.
LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
Lloyds Banking Group is committed to building a fully inclusive environment, reflective of the society it serves, where all colleagues can fulfil their potential. Getting this right is at the heart of its purpose to help Britain prosper – a more inclusive society is a more prosperous ones, and a diverse business is a better business. It is proud to have been the first FTSE 100 company to set targets to increase ethnic diversity at senior levels and its ethnicity strategy is led from the top and supported by comprehensive plans to ensure the company makes sustainable progress.
Network Rail
Network Rail’s role is to run a safe, reliable and efficient railway, to get people and goods where they need to be and to support the UK’s prosperity. To do this successfully, Network Rail is committed to creating an organisation that represents the passengers it serves and becoming a more equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation by nurturing the individuality, skills and expertise of its people and attracting the best talent. Their work to remove barriers for Black, Asian and ethnic minority employees and applicants has led to the company exceeding ethnicity targets in its highest levels of leadership and having industry leading data-sharing rates.
Stonewater
As a registered social landlord, Stonewater provides safe, affordable housing for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Driven by its vision of everyone having the opportunity to have a place that they can call home, it offers homes for rent, shared ownership and sale. It also has specialist housing, retirement and supported living schemes for older and more vulnerable people, domestic abuse refuges, LGBTQ+ safe spaces and young people’s foyers.
It aims to become a truly customer-driven organisation by building a relationship built on respect, honesty, transparency and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Tesco
As the UK’s leading retailer, Tesco aims to serve its customers, communities and the planet a little better every day. Everyone’s welcome at Tesco and it’s creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates the cultures, personalities and preferences of all colleagues. Along with the communities it serves, the workplace is becoming more diverse. Over the past year, the Race and Ethnicity Network has delivered more than 25 events, reaching over 100,000+ colleagues. Tesco’s Black Action Plan, which is a key part of the network, aims to help dismantle systemic racism and achieve equitable representation for the UK’s Black community by 2030.
