A broad spectrum of businesses and industry representatives this week attended the Diversity Mark ‘Going for Gold’ event to learn more about how diversity, equity, and inclusion can help unlock greater innovation within companies.
Hosted at Allstate’s Belfast base, the celebratory event was an opportunity for guests to share best practice and hear from organisations on different stages of their D&I journey. It was also a special occasion to mark Allstate NI’s recent achievement as they received the first Gold Standard Accreditation awarded by Diversity Mark.
Representatives from other Diversity Mark Bronze and Silver signatories, including NICS, Bar Library NI, Davy, Labour Relations Agency, BDO, FinTrU, A&L Goodbody and Brett Martin, were present at the event and took part in a panel discussion about Allstate NI leading global standard and expectation in the diversity and inclusion space, and offering a best practice example for other organisations to follow.
Commenting at the event Nuala Murphy, Director at Diversity Mark said,
“As an independently assessed workplace accreditation, we must continue to strive for excellence in diversity and inclusion and use today as a catalyst for further progress. Allstate NI can be proud of the progress they have made, and we want to inspire other organisations to create a workplace culture that is truly inclusive, where everyone feels that they belong and can thrive. We can all make positive change, and each use our own positions of power and influence to be true allies. Because when we do, society and the economy benefits.”
Nuala added: “With one in five people having a disability in Northern Ireland, and many reporting feeling invisible or stigmatised at work, there is so much more to do in terms of increasing diversity and inclusion within the world of business. Disparities still exist in gender too. For every 10 male entrepreneurs, there are just four women entrepreneurs. What’s more, a lower proportion of women enter our workforce at all compared to other regions. And then of course you have the issue of childcare and women being forced to leave the workplace. All told, whilst we have made significant strides, and it’s important to recognise that progress, there is still a way to go before we break down the stereotypes and the obstacles for good.”
“At Diversity Mark, we aim to help businesses reach their diversity and inclusion goals through Diversity Mark’s structure, framework and process and the robust independent assessment process and its accountability for workplaces. That’s what today has been all about – it’s about inspiring best practice and learning more about the EDI journey.”
Diversity Mark Independent Assessment Panel Co-Chairs, Judith Gillespie and Deborah Lange, were also present at the event to recognise and celebrate the progress made by Allstate in their Diversity and Inclusion journey, becoming the first organisation in Northern Ireland and across the UK and Ireland to achieve this standard of accreditation.
To find out more about how your business can start their diversity and inclusion journey to accreditation please book a call with one of the Diversity Mark team.
