Vertas Group has been awarded Bronze on the Inclusive Employers Standard

The Inclusive Employers Standard is a robust evidence-based inclusion accreditation run by Inclusive Employers. This process has helped us understand more about where we are in our inclusion journey and identify key areas of focus to help us develop in the future.

Kate Innes, Group Chief People Officer at Vertas Group, said: “At Vertas Group, we are immensely proud to have been awarded Bronze on the Inclusive Employers Standard. Over the past 12 months, we have taken significant steps to review and streamline our processes, including the introduction of policies such as menopause leave, which reflect our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.

Our enhanced communication mechanisms, particularly through Workvivo, have empowered colleagues to proactively engage with our platform and initiatives across the Group. Additionally, our standout reward system continues to recognise and involve all colleagues, reinforcing the value we place on each member of our team.

Inclusion remains a central focus of our People Strategy, and this accreditation is a testament to our dedication to making inclusion an everyday reality. We are thrilled with the positive feedback received, especially around our forward-thinking policies and the collaborative nature of our culture.

This achievement motivates us to continue driving meaningful progress and enhancing our inclusive culture, not only within our organisation but also across the wider industry. Together, we are building a workplace where every individual feels valued and empowered. We know this is only the start of the journey and we still have a lot of work to do to ensure everyone within the Group and our wider community to feel included to allow them to reach their full potential.”

To gain this accreditation we were required to provide a detailed overview of our inclusion activities in line with the six pillars of inclusion framework. This submission was then assessed against evidence-based criteria. Our action-focused feedback identified some key areas that we can further develop to enhance our culture of belonging and inclusion further.

We are very proud of this achievement, which has energised us to continue our inclusion development and enhance the positive impact of inclusion both within our organisation and the wider industry.

Emily Pattinson, Senior Inclusive Employers Standard Programme Lead at Inclusive Employers, said: “We’re incredibly proud that Vertas Group has shown a clear commitment to building and inclusive culture and has achieved a Bronze accreditation. In what can feel like an overwhelming time for inclusion and diversity work, organisations like Vertas Group are part of driving meaningful change. By seeking to understand their inclusion development Vertas Group demonstrates to others in their sector that they are prioritising their people and creating a culture of impactful inclusion.”

More information about the Inclusive Employers Standard and how to get involved is available via the Inclusive Employers Website: https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/inclusiveemployers-standard/