As Head of People at Champions (UK) plc, I have the privilege of working with incredible businesses that strive to make their workplaces more inclusive, equitable, and diverse.
In this blog, I’ll share insights into four outstanding initiatives by modern organisations that have taken significant steps in their equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) journeys.
These examples highlight the transformative power of creating environments where every individual feels valued and empowered to thrive.
At Champions, I am deeply committed to helping businesses enhance their workforce, ensuring EDI is more than just a policy, but a cornerstone of their culture. Let’s explore how we can draw inspiration from these leaders and create lasting change in our own organisations.
1. Rolls-Royce
The engineering company has embedded EDI into its corporate culture through initiatives such as the "Being Like Me" series, where employees share personal stories to enhance understanding and reduce the need to "edit themselves" at work. This programme, launched in 2022, aims to create a psychologically safe environment for its 50,000 employees across 50 countries.
This storytelling approach not only raises awareness but also helped their colleagues build empathy and understanding, breaking down unconscious biases. Rolls-Royce brilliantly complemented these efforts with policies designed to create a psychologically safe environment, ensuring employees feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work.
2. BelleVie Care
Founded in 2019, BelleVie Care employs a model inspired by the Dutch Buurtzorg, emphasising small, self-managing teams of local carers who build long-term, trusted relationships with clients. This approach not only addresses social care needs but also promotes diversity by recruiting individuals from various backgrounds, including career switchers.
BelleVie’s example is a testament to how operational models can be restructured to achieve both business goals and inclusivity. They created inclusive opportunities for people from diverse professional and personal backgrounds, welcoming career-switchers and individuals often overlooked by traditional recruitment processes.
3. BYP Network
Established in 2016, BYP Network connects companies with Black talent through events, a job-matching AI platform, and inclusivity training. With over 150,000 global members and more than 1,600 corporate clients, BYP Network emphasises that hiring Black talent is about recognising and leveraging diverse skills and perspectives.
Their events and workshops challenge stereotypes and equip companies to build genuinely inclusive environments where diverse talent can thrive. BYP’s success in bridging the gap between corporations and Black professionals demonstrates the immense potential of targeted initiatives in addressing systemic inequality.
4. Cisco
The technology company has implemented a "proximity initiative," where leaders engage in one-on-one conversations with colleagues from various backgrounds to better understand their experiences. This initiative has been instrumental in driving behavioural changes and promoting allyship within the organisation.
Cisco's commitment to EDI has positioned it as a leader in workplace equality within the tech industry.
These examples demonstrate that integrating EDI into your business practices can lead to more inclusive and equitable workplaces. You and your organisation can draw inspiration from these initiatives to develop and enhance your own diversity and inclusion strategies.
At Champions, we’ve made it our mission to helping businesses implement initiatives just like these. If you feel you need specialist help in this area, please do not hesitate to call us at 08453 31 30 31, or fill out an online contact form today.