"Creating an inclusive and diverse culture is a core priority for me and my leadership team. It isn’t just about hitting targets – although we are focussed on continuing to increase diverse representation– it’s also about building a truly inclusive environment to enable our people to thrive. Our action plan will improve the pace of change throughout our company and help us build a more diverse, balanced and innovative Quilter." Steven Levin, Quilter CEO
Put simply, we want all Quilter colleagues to have the opportunity to thrive - to reach their full potential regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, neurodiversity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, educational, social and cultural background.
Inclusion and Diversity Forum
Our Inclusion and Diversity Forum provides an educational opportunity to increase cultural competency, encouraging colleagues to listen, learn and discuss areas of interest or areas where underrepresented groups face challenges.
Meet Amisha Chohan, our I&D Forum Chair
Amisha is our Chairperson for our Inclusion and Diversity Forum. Her role involves chairing the quarterly events which are open to everyone across the business, which are safe forums where we can raise and discuss all matters of inclusion and diversity.
Our communities
Our various communities and support groups champion an inclusive culture, where all have an equal and equitable opportunity to fulfil their potential and thrive at work. Everyone interested in supporting the mission is welcome to join the Thrive communities which includes:
- Diverse Abilities community
- Together with Pride - our LGBT+ community
- the Cultural Diversity community
- the Menopause Support Group, and
- Wellbeing Champions.
What does the Thrive community do?
- Raises awareness and promote conversation in the business about inclusion and wellbeing.
- Provides a forum to listen to colleagues about relevant issues.
Supports colleagues to create new connections and networks across the business. - Provides ideas and insights for Quilter’s inclusion programmes.
- Raises issues and solutions to Quilter’s management, including the
Quilter Inclusion and Diversity Steering Committee as necessary. - Runs fantastic events open to all.
Halo code
We adopted the Halo Code in 2021, highlighting our commitment to creating a welcoming and diverse workplace for all, adding our name to help end workplace hair discrimination.
The Halo Code is a campaign pledge, signed by businesses and schools, that promises members of the black community that they have the freedom and security to wear all afro-hairstyles without restriction or judgment. The Halo Code is helping to redefine what society declares “professional” for the workplace – read more here
Quilter is committing to ensuring people with afro-hair or any other hair textures are not discriminated against in the workplace or in its recruitment processes.
Gender Identity
We're so proud that two Quilter colleagues featured in the #Top100Gamechangers list for 2024. As part of our ongoing commitment to encourage everyone to be who they want to be at work, our colleagues have the option to add their pronouns to their email signatures. Having pronouns on our signatures can initiate the start of an open discussion about how people would like to be referred to, and it helps us in our aim of creating an inclusive working environment.
2024 Top 50 Executive Allies named
Sarah Houlston, Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Penny Cole, Chief People Officer, have been recognised with a Top Executive Allies 2024 award by LGBT Great.
LGBT Great is the LGBTQ+ membership community for the financial services industry. It provides insight, visibility, and outreach initiatives to help create positive cultural change.
Sarah says: “I'm really proud I’ve been recognised as one of LGBT Great’s Top Executive Allies for 2024. What an honour to be part of the Project 1000 initiative, it's a testament to the power of allyship in advancing equality and representation in the workplace. I'm excited to be working together for a more inclusive future."
Penny says: “I'm delighted to be named one of LGBT Great’s Top Executive Allies for 2024 through their Project 1000 initiative. Building an inclusive workplace, where all colleagues can thrive is hugely important to me. At Quilter, we're committed to championing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace. Together, I believe we can lead the charge for industry-wide and cross-industry change."
We won ‘Best DE&I Initiative Award’, in the (351+ employees’) category for 2024.
This award recognises an organisation, team, or individual for exceptional efforts in creating a diverse workforce that mirrors its customers and communities, while promoting an inclusive culture where employees feel they belong and can excel.
Our exceptional I&D 2022-2024 action plan submission stood out to the judges, who commented:
"Quilter’s outstanding entry to this year’s awards, demonstrated a multifaceted strategy that has shown clear evidenced impact right across the DE&I spectrum, made them a clear winner."
