Strategic report Governance Financial statements Other information STRATEGY OUR PEOPLE CONTINUED Eligible colleagues signed up to our • In February 2021, we launched the West of These networks continue to grow their We recognise that our Inclusion and Diversity Save as You Earn (SAYE) scheme England Black Interns Pilot in partnership with membership, activities and influence and include: policy cannot stand in isolation. We continue Bristol City Council and the Mayor’s Office, as Gender diversity group; to review our People policies which support part of Bristol’s One City Plan. This initiative has • an environment that is not only free from generated over 40 internship opportunities for • Cultural diversity group; discrimination and harassment, but one that Black university students living or working in Kaleidoscope (LGBT+); encourages all colleagues to be authentic and the region across 20 organisations in various • bring their whole selves to work where they can sectors. This includes four interns who will be • Wellbeing groups including mental, physical progress their careers whilst balancing their joining HL in September. We are proud to fitness and social activities; career and personal life. generate these career opportunities to open Whilst we are pleased to have made some doors for Black students and to support the • Environment, sustainability and climate change region’s economic recovery. group; and progress, we are in no doubt that there is still work to be done. Our Inclusion and Diversity To support the progression of ethnic minority • Financial Inclusion. action plan includes initiatives aimed at • talent, we participate in the award-winning Over the year, the groups have been active in supporting the progression of female talent Stepping Up leadership programme run by promoting the importance of diversity and to senior levels at HL via our participation in Signed up 55% Bristol City Council. This programme aims to inclusion as well as engaging colleagues. Over 350 the Women Ahead mentoring scheme run Not signed up 45% change the leadership landscape in Bristol. The colleagues are members of one or more of the by the 30% Club, the launch of a Sponsorship recent launch of a sponsorship programme networks, and the networks have delivered events programme specifically aimed at female and aimed at female and ethnic minority talent is across the year, marking key dates and campaigns, ethnic minority talent, our Career Confidence also in place to support progression. with both external speakers and internal panels. Mentoring Scheme and colleague-run Groups have been active We know that tone from the top and executive This includes celebrating black history month, #iamremarkable sessions. in promoting the importance buy-in and accountability continue to be key to LGBT history month, a Mental Health awareness We also aim to interview diverse candidate slates of diversity and inclusion achieving sustainable change. We are further week, Bristol Pride and celebrating International for all senior roles and support this through strengthening commitment to progress by Women’s Day. Following the Black Lives Matter training hiring managers to reduce bias in the 350+ ensuring Executive Committee members havespecific gender and ethnicity targets for themovement, our Cultural Diversity Group ledpowerful conversations with the LeadershipGroup focused on talking about Race.recruitment and selection process, reviewing jobadvert wording and requirements and increased colleagues are 2021/22 performance year. dialogue with recruitment agencies. members of one Our award-winning HL colleague networks play Whilst we know there is always more we can do, We have made it easier for candidates to learn or more of the networks we feel proud that our 2021 Colleague Survey a critical role in fostering inclusion and belonging, about our family-friendly policies by publishing and each one is supported by an Executive results showed that 72% of colleagues feel them on our career site and, over the past three sponsor to ensure their activities get the visibility positive that HL values and promotes employee years, have introduced a range of initiatives to and support they need to have impact. diversity (with 7% responding negatively and the increase the fairness and consistency of pay. remainder neutral). 32 Hargreaves Lansdown Report and Financial Statements 2021