West Midlands homebuilder’s employees strive for diversity and inclusion

The growing team is currently made up of a small group of employees at Barratt Homes, each of whom is focused on creating a safe space for their colleagues to share their ideas and ensure each employee is valued.

A number of the team members have shared their views on the significance of inclusion in the workplace, and why it’s important to them.

Lucy Goulbourn (42), who works as a Sales Manager for the housebuilder, said: “I’m passionate about embracing everyone's differences and championing the cause for colleagues to be able to come to work and be treated with respect, whilst creating a safe space knowing everyone's input is valuable to the business.

“With our newfound team, we hope to collate suggestions, ideas and feedback on anything relating to diversity and inclusion, and to try and use these to better the working environment for all.”

Over the next 12 months, Barratt Homes West Midlands is hosting a series of business-wide events to raise awareness of the employee networks and the importance of having a diverse team to give everyone a chance to be heard, included and respected.

Eleanor Howells (40), a Senior Quantity Surveyor, said: “There are not enough women in construction, especially those with families. We need to keep working on this to attract the best people.

“We want to start these conversations with the whole team about the relevant networks which reflect our diversity, but also to engage with our colleagues to see how we as a collective can make improvements.”

Women in construction in particular is an important topic. The theme of this year's International Women’s Day was #AccelerateAction which noted that, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.

Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

Another member of Barratt Homes’ Diversity and Inclusion team is Matt Creed (29), Senior Site Manager. He said: “The construction industry is a demanding industry to work in. By promoting diversity and inclusion, it will tap into a wider range of skills, perspectives, and ideas.

“This committee will help to create a hub where people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspective can share ideas. Within this industry in particular, complex problems require unique approaches with help from everyone involved.

“Our starting point is to create an understanding of what diversity and inclusion means, how it can be used, and how it can then help with day to day works. We need to bring people from all departments and job roles together to feel valued, and ensure that their voice is important.”

In 2022, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that less than half (48 per cent) of employers have either a stand-alone inclusion and diversity strategy or action plan in support of their wider organisation’s strategy. With more businesses now looking to implement such committees, steps are being taken to ensure a greater representation of voice, ideas and opportunities in the workplace.

Adrian Evans, Managing Director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, said: “It’s incredibly important to us for our colleagues to feel valued with a sense of belonging.

“Our Diversity and Inclusion team go above and beyond their job roles to ensure the working environment is a welcoming space for sharing creativity and ideas.”