Celebrating Success, Inspiring Others

EFB Award Best Private Sector Winner: Deloitte

Deloitte have embedded eight diversity networks into the business and have engaged a partner from each section of the firm to sponsor them to ensure high level buy-in.  In 2009 they created Deloitte’s ‘Diversity Month’ where each of the diversity networks created their own events, exhibitions and talks with inspirational speakers.  They held ‘Wear your national or traditional dress to work’ days, had a photography exhibition on ‘Living with Albinism’ and organised a space to collect personal viewpoints on what diversity means.

EFB Award for Best Public Sector Winner: Kent County Council Community Wardens

Community Safety Unit managers ensure that diversity and equality are on all meeting agendas throughout the warden scheme.  There is a high level of staff training to enable them to eradicate discrimination in the community. All staff have been trained in the ‘Prevent’ strategy which is aimed at preventing terrorism and violent extremism by highlighting vulnerable member of the community who may be influenced by such groups.

EFA & EFB Best Small Organisation (under 1,000 employees) Winner: The Pensions Trust

Financial services and in particular pensions are traditionally seen as a ‘young person’s’ world as people begin their careers in pensions administration and move out of pensions after their 30s.  To reduce this, the Trust worked hard to ensure older workers would want to keep working.  They improved their learning and development programme by, for example replacing the annual appraisal with a one-to-one monthly meeting where employees have a chance to discuss their development needs.  They offer a full flexi-time system, and a range of flexible working opportunities as also offer pre-retirement seminars and a phased approach to retirement.