ACE has launched a new ED&I campaign, Building Inclusivity. 

Bringing together partners including Aspierations, Building Equality and Constructing Rainbows, the campaign aims to help members create more inclusive workspaces ensuring the opportunity for both meeting skills shortages and retaining talent is seized. 

The industry-level campaign will initially focus on three key areas of inclusivity bringing together experts, emerging professionals and industry leaders to discuss the barriers to the creation of inclusive workspaces for LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and Ethnic Minority communities.  

In addition to the online roundtables, expert commentary and the sharing of practical tools and advice, members will be invited to contribute to the creation of a five-point ED&I plan which will feed into an industry Workplace Charter at a soon to be announced Conference in London in Q1 2023. 

Commenting on the launch, Stephen Marcos Jones, ACE CEO said: “We hope that the launch of our industry campaign Building Inclusivity will inspire our members to create more inclusive workplaces. Individuality should be viewed as a strength as it gives us a chance to see things another way and to think differently. Our members already have some excellent stories to tell and we’re looking forward to sharing them as widely as possible.” 

The roundtables take place in July, September and October and are open to all. Additional participants and representatives of expert organisations will be added in the coming weeks, but we welcome experts from Aspierations, Building Equality, Constructing Rainbows, as well as representatives from members including AECOM, Arcadis, Atkins, Buro Happold, Hoare Lea, Mott MacDonald, and Ramboll. 

• Beyond Pride (LGBTQ+) – Wednesday 13 July 2022,12.00pm.
• Alternative Thinking (Neurodiversity) – Wednesday 7 September 2022, 12.00pm.  
• Overcoming Barriers (Ethnic Minorities) – Thursday 6 October 2022, 12.00pm. 

Stephen added: “In the spirit of the campaign, our roundtables on LGBTQ+, neurodiversity and Ethnic Minorities are open to all. Whether you lead a business or HR function, manage people in a team, or are an emerging professional, they will help you understand the barriers colleagues can face, while offering practical insight from experts as well as best-practice from inside and outside the industry.” 

“The campaign is not just about the sharing of information. We want to use this opportunity to bring members together and collaborate towards the creation of a new cross-industry ED&I Workplace Charter, a sector-wide pledge which will reinforce to future talent that inclusivity is core to the way we work, while demonstrating that our dynamic industry is welcoming to all and forward-thinking.” 

“Creating more inclusive workplace cultures is not just a box-ticking exercise. Done correctly, it will help alleviate skills shortages and retain existing staff. Equally, it will ensure your business reflects the society your clients need to deliver for.” 

ACE is seeking best practice and more from members! Are you interested in becoming involved and wish to showcase your activity in this space? Get in touch with James or Claire today. 

Campaign content will be added over the coming weeks at www.acenet.co.uk/inclusivity and shared on social media, #BuildingInclusivity.