In recognition of our work to address racial inequality within the organisation Great Places has been awarded the Race Equality Matters (REM) Bronze Trailblazer Status.
Bronze is the first stage in the Trailblazer series spotlighting organisations that are implementing impactful solutions to drive race equality. This is for organisations that have implemented REM solutions and/or have taken action on race inequality in other ways.
Designed to recognise organisations driving meaningful change in the race equality sphere, REM Trailblazer status has been determined by an independent panel of experts. All with lived experience of race inequality in the workplace. Trailblazer status is #MoreThanAnAward. The purpose is to:
Becoming a Trailblazer means the work Great Places has done has resulted in change and made an impact across the breadth of the entire organisation. A step that aims to successfully address racial inequality and become a more diverse, inclusive and equal organisation.
Lizi Marsden, Head of Colleague Experience and Development at Great Places, said:
I’m extremely proud that Great Places has been awarded the Race Equality Matters Bronze Trailblazer status, which is a great reflection of the work undertaken by our Race and Religion Counts network, and our organisational commitment to ensuring racial equality for our Colleagues and Customers. With only 62% of organisations who applied for trailblazer status being recognised by the diverse panel of judges involved, this is far more than a tick box exercise. The in-depth application process included validation from our ethnically diverse colleagues and feedback from across the business. We recognise that this is a long-term priority and are working towards the delivery of a robust action plan that will help us ensure racial equity as an anti-racist employer and landlord.
Anita Patel, Race and Religion Counts Network Lead, added:
We’re so proud of obtaining this trailblazer BRONZE status – as an organisation, we have been honest and know that there’s still work to be done, but I am proud that Great Places really does takes ‘Race Equality Matters’ seriously, and it has a genuine aspiration to be the best workplace where ‘Race Equality Matters’ really is part of our organisation’s culture and DNA.
Race Equality Matters is a not-for-profit that aims to be the catalyst to move organisations and individuals from just talking, to taking meaningful action that has a real impact on tackling race inequality. Formed in response to 2020’s Black Lives Matter movement, mindful that for far too long progress in addressing race inequality has been too slow, if it is not addressed now, will it ever be?
Race Equality Matters co-creates concepts and solutions in collaboration with those with lived experience of race inequality and develops the tools and know-how for them to be implemented.
Through the Race Equality Matters network of thousands of changemakers, these co-created solutions reach organisations and millions of employees, from race networks, to allies to achieve the change we all want to see and feel.
