How and why we’re building a diverse work community
1st Central’s people power our culture, our values and our success. They breathe life into our ambitions and make remarkable things happen. And, we know the more we encourage a sense of belonging and a healthy space that welcomes a broad range of perspectives, the more innovative and resilient we’ll be.
It’s a no brainer. We want our workforce to be an accurate reflection of our communities and our customer base. Inclusivity isn’t an empty buzzword we chuck around to look good. Inclusive companies simply perform better. They enjoy greater revenues, reduced costs and their people are more engaged and contented. It’s obvious. The greater the diversity of experiences and insights a company can learn from, the richer its awareness and perspective. Research at the London School of Economics (LSE) last year measured diversity, equity and inclusion within 945 firms using 3.2 million employee reviews on Glassdoor. Dr Grace Lordan, Director of LSE’s Inclusion Initiative, said: “Our work has uncovered a credible signal that predicts innovation and long run market performance that should interest investors.”
We’re absolutely focused on achieving diversity throughout our business, across all areas from top to bottom. This year, building on the fantastic progress already achieved by our Women in Leadership Forum, we’ve decided to widen the conversation and our actions. Women in Leadership has evolved into the Gender Equity Network, a space where everyone is invited to be part of the solution. We’re going to carry on amplifying voices and leadership opportunities across the organisation.
Why? Because gender equity isn’t only a women’s issue, it’s a collective responsibility. By working together, we can challenge barriers, break down biases, and create real change. Chantelle Anderson, our Head of Talent, says:
“Building the Women in Leadership Network has been a game-changer - watching people gain confidence and take charge of their careers is incredibly rewarding. We've sparked more diverse conversations and stronger cross-department connections. Now the network is expanding to all genders and grades, I’m excited to see the magic it’ll bring! I can't wait to watch everyone grow, boost their confidence, and share their knowledge. It's going to be amazing!"
Our latest data shows we’re making steady progress towards greater gender balance, particularly in leadership roles. Women now make up 38% of senior leadership positions, bringing us closer to our 40% target by the end of 2025. A big step in the right direction!
We’ve also seen improvements in our group-wide gender pay gap which has reduced from 19.2% in April 2023 to 18.5% in April 2024, below the industry average of 24%.
Just one way we’re creating better balance in our leadership pipeline is by joining with our training partner Instep UK Ltd to offer colleagues a Women+ in Leadership Level 5 Apprenticeship (equivalent to a foundation degree). Written by women, for women, the pioneering programme’s open to colleagues of all genders. It’s designed to give women leaders the confidence, skills and tools they need to thrive in leadership roles.
Already leading a team, participants are ready to embrace their next career step. They’re eager to equip themselves with the knowledge and strength to excel in a senior leadership position. Over 15 months, they learn all aspects of strategic management including intelligent conflict management, delegation, confidence and productivity, change management, mentoring, resourcing and financial accountability through a series of activities, masterclasses and a final assessment. It’s a comprehensive, progressive line-up.
So, let’s hear from those in the know about how the programme works. Toni Needham’s a Project Manager in the Customer & Operations area of 1st Central’s business. She was keen to build on her project management skills and gain formal line management expertise. The invaluable boost to her strategic thinking and communication is already having an impact.
Amy Dykes, interim Financial Planning and Reporting Manager, is another colleague whose confidence and leadership skills have been enhanced by the apprenticeship. Amy comments, “The masterclasses have helped me step back and really listen, to hear what’s being said, not just to respond.” You can read more about Toni and Amy’s experiences here.
Supporting colleagues to engage with this apprenticeship shows how committed 1st Central is to continuous improvement; we want everyone to keep learning and evolving throughout their careers. Apprenticeships are a great way for colleagues to develop and take the next step on their journey, even branching out into new roles within other areas of the business. Growing an exceptional colleague experience is central to our strategy and our approach to gender equity and this apprenticeship illustrate our passion for fairness and balance. Come and join us; it’s exciting.