Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Equans

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Creating a culture which values difference and delivers fairness for all.

Equans is committed to diversity, to embedding equity and enabling an inclusive culture where our people can be themselves at work and achieve their full potential. Promoting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) supports our business goals by enabling us to attract, develop and retain the best talent, create innovative & high performing teams, and to better reflect the customers and communities we serve. Equans has a dedicated vision led by our Head of DE&I.

Our DE&I vision is to enable a culture which values difference and delivers fairness for all. We aim to achieve our vision through the delivery of a strategy called ‘Be Yourself’, which is structured around six strategic pillars.

Shahid Bashir
Head of DE&I, Equans UK & Ireland

Strategy & Vision - Our Commitment

1. Inclusive Culture

Create an environment where inclusion drives our ambitions to be ‘a best place to work’.

2. Leadership & Governance

Create shared ownership and hold ourselves accountable.

3. The Talent Journey

To attract, recruit, develop and retain the best diverse talent.

4. Policies & Ways of Working

To remove the structural barriers to inclusion.

5. Community & Supply Chain

Diversify our supply chain, and the communities we partner.

6. Driving Performance

Establish DE&I as a competitive advantage, at the heart of how we plan and operate.

Discover Our Networks

To help us achieve our vision Equans UK & Ireland has six employee-led networks which are open to all employees. The networks enable opportunities for employee networking, professional development and raising awareness of relevant issues. Find out more about our networks below

Helping to support Equans employees by ensuring that everyone has the access they need to excel and grow through reducing barriers in the workplace. The Network raises awareness of different disabilities to remove stigmas and collaborates across the business including with Senior Management, inspirational internal & external speakers and our recruitment teams.

The Network aims to champion an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals at Equans. Encompass works with Stonewall as part of the Diversity Champion programme along with other UK charities to provide educational resources for all aspects of the community and allies, as well as creating a safe space within the business that promotes a culture of bringing your whole self to work.

The Respecting, Inspiring and Supporting Ethnic minorities (RISE) network aims to provide a forum to raise awareness and address issues affecting colleagues from Black, Asian and Ethic Minority backgrounds. The network highlights improvements to the employee experience working in conjunction with the Senior Management Team and encourages the personal & professional development of network members.

The Women Together Network was established to promote and celebrate inclusive behaviour in the organisation whilst driving positive change. The network meets regularly welcoming all genders in discussions with an objective to promote awareness of challenges that our female colleagues may need to overcome, encouraging diversity and enhancing careers.

This network aims to facilitate making Equans an employer of choice for working parents by offering a voice for parents working within the business. Members include employees who are currently parenting, hoping to become a parent, have responsibility of caring for children or who are simply an ally wanting to better inform their work within Equans.

Equans’ Young Professionals Network (YPN) aims to create opportunities for like-minded, ambitious, Equans leaders of the future, by sharing ideas and networking both within the UK and internationally. Collectively the network drive innovation, knowledge transfer and empowerment through collaborative workshops and events.

Attracting and retaining the best talent is key to creating a high performing culture. Our ambition is to be the number one place to work for our employees and the partner of choice for our clients and suppliers. By creating a great place to work and encouraging people from all backgrounds to join us, we are future proofing our business. Diversity of thought drives innovation and this creates exciting opportunities where our people can develop and grow. I am really proud of the six networks we have established as part of our focus on creating a diverse workforce and the activities they have delivered – helping us to create a culture that is inclusive of everyone.

Andrew Pollins
​​​​​​​Chief Financial Officer & Executive Sponsor of Diversity & Inclusion