The charter was launched in 2018 and builds on the work of the 2017 McGregor-Smith government review, which found that black, Asian, mixed race and those from ethnically diverse backgrounds were underemployed, underpromoted and under-represented at senior levels.
As part of the of the charter, firms need to appoint an executive sponsor on race, record data and publicise progress, ensure zero tolerance of harassment and bullying, make equality in the workplace a responsibility of leaders and managers, support ethnic minority career progression, support race inclusion allies and include black, Asian, mixed race and other ethnicities enterprise owners in their supply chain.
Newcastle: ‘Fostering inclusion…one of our strategic priorities’
Stuart Miller, chief customer officer and executive sponsor for the charter at Newcastle Building Society, said: “Fostering inclusion and positive change at work and in our communities is one of our business’s strategic priorities and we are therefore committed to developing a workforce that represents and reflects the make up of our communities.
“We know that only by fully harnessing a range of personal experiences and diverse perspectives, we can continue to deliver a truly exceptional service to our customers. Signing the charter is the latest step on our journey, and it makes our commitment to racial equality visible to our colleagues, customers, partners and communities.”
Sandra Kerr CBE, race director for Business in the Community which runs the charter, said: “We would like to thank Newcastle Building Society for publicly committing to be an inclusive and responsible employer.
“By signing up to the charter, they are joining over 900 businesses who are working together so that the UK can have one of the most inclusive workplaces in the world.”
She continued: “By taking collective action, we can break down workplace barriers, raise the aspirations and achievements of talented individuals regardless of their ethnicity and deliver an enormous boost to the long-term economic position of the UK.”
Other signatories in the mortgage sector include Yorkshire Building Society, Paragon, Financial Ombudsman Service, Financial Conduct Authority, Virgin Money, UK Finance, TSB Bank, West Brom Building Society, Coventry Building Society, The Co-operative Bank, Swansea Building Society, Capital Home Loans, Leeds Building Society, Legal and General, Skipton Building Society and Santander.
