Chamber urges firms to prioritise equality, diversity and inclusion

East Midlands Chamber is urging firms and political leaders to give greater priority to equality, diversity and inclusion, following the publication of a new report.

The East Midlands Business Approaches to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion research, conducted by the chamber in conjunction with strategic partner emh Group, reveals a significant rise in the number of businesses that have adopted an EDI policy.

It has rise to nearly seven out of 10, while there was no change in the number of businesses (two out of 10) saying there is ‘no benefit’ in having a structure.

More than 300 East Midlands businesses took part in the research, with data collected in 2024 compared to the previous year to track progress and form recommendations for businesses and political leaders.

Among the headline recommendations for businesses are to bring EDI learning into leadership training and celebrate best EDI practice.

Meanwhile, political leaders are urged to help develop training programmes for EDI and assist businesses with messaging.

Richard Blackmore, the chamber’s director of policy and insight, said: “These findings show that awareness continues to grow in the East Midlands around the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

“Where more work is arguably needed is around the understanding of what exactly this means, what good practice can look like and the benefits that getting this right can bring to an organisation.

“Taking an EDI-informed approach to business isn’t just the right thing to do from a fair or just perspective, it can also give an organisation a competitive edge, regardless of size or sector.

“The chamber will continue to work with all members to support growth in that understanding and showcase the great practice that already exists in the region, helping cement the East Midlands as the most exciting, innovative and successful place to start and grow your business.”

To read the report visit https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/East-Midlands-Business-Appoaches-to-Equality-Diversity-and-Inclusion.pdf.