Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are important assets that businesses can apply to better engage, outperform and build traction within marketplaces, by helping them to reflect wider society more effectively and create more dynamic workplaces. Across the automotive industry, businesses are putting processes in place to make their workforces and, therefore, the sector more diverse, and are taking action to foster a more inclusive environment.
Diversity relates to increasing representation from a wide range of communities and groups.
Equity relates to ensuring that programmes and activities are fair and impartial, and that they provide equal possible outcomes for all employees, or participants.
Inclusion relates to how well the presence, contributions, and perspectives of different groups of people, are valued and integrated within your company.
DE&I helps to create an actively engaged environment, where everyone regardless of age, racial background, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, marital status, gender reassignment status, neurodiversity or any other difference, feels welcomed and supported in the workplace.
Actions that support DE&I will assist the automotive industry in developing initiatives that help companies of all sizes to adapt to build a better future. The automotive industry is changing rapidly, with the implementation of new technology and the shift to zero emission vehicles and sustainable mobility, which must be accessible for all communities. It is important that all businesses within the industry play their part to foster DE&I, as a crucial day-to-day business tool.
UK Automotive is undergoing an immense transformation and key to our success will be our people. A rich diversity of skills, perspectives and experience can give us a competitive advantage and that has to mean enhancing our diversity, never resting until everyone feels included and valued. SMMT Group needs to be representative of the industry it champions and the consumers it serves so our own workforce must be a mirror to broader society.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive
SMMT’s DE&I Toolkit
SMMT’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Toolkit has been created to identify best practices for promoting DE&I within automotive companies. It provides guidelines for demonstrating an inclusive culture, and supports actions to help develop a truly inclusive industry agenda, as well as providing helpful tips and advice.
Automotive Council – Shifting Gears
The Automotive Council have launched a new best practice guide, Shifting Gears: How to better recruit and retain women in the UK automotive sector, to provide forward-thinking businesses across the industry – from car and commercial vehicle manufacturing to supply chain and the aftermarket – with the tools needed to improve gender diversity across all levels.
Mercer Marsh Benefits is the UK’s leading Employee Benefits and Career Services consulting business. Attracting and retaining top talent remains difficult for many organisations, and after a turbulent period, now more than ever, organisations must put the employee at the centre of everything they do. There must be a clear value proposition for employees, and future talent, to answer “Why us?”, and to feel they belong and can thrive at work. Thriving employees work in an inclusive, flexible work environment with a strong sense of purpose and valued learning opportunities.
Pinsent Masons is proud to be able to offer our clients specialist diversity and inclusion (D&I) advice through our own expert D&I consultancy, Brook Graham. Founded in 2004, Brook Graham has an international team of associate consultants with a proven track record in specialisms across all areas of D&I. Operating globally, and across all sectors, we provide bespoke services that are tailored to each client’s requirements and focus on driving measurable change to achieve tangible outcomes.
