Diversity and Inclusion
At Close Brothers we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all of our employees can feel proud to work for us, regardless of their background, experiences or personal circumstances.
Hear from some of our employees about their experiences at Close Brothers
Our diversity and inclusion strategy comes from the very top. Our Executive Leadership Team are dedicated to creating a diverse workplace and
an inclusive environment, and actively support a number of initiatives.
You can read more about them below.
At Close Brothers, we recognise that gender identity is broader than male and female and, although the government regulations do not require us to report in this way, we want to affirm that we welcome colleagues of all gender identities.
Gender Pay Gap Reports
Women in Finance Charter
We achieved our target of 30% of senior manager positions being held by women by 31 July 2020. We have since updated our target to 36% of senior managers being women by 2025. As of July 2023, the figure stood at 31.2%. This year, the overall diversity increased across the Group, specifically with greater representation of women. Disappointingly, we have moved backwards against our senior level gender target this year. However, by improving representation at more junior levels, we have achieved improved diversity of our talent pipeline. This supports our strategy to develop our own talent, enabling a more sustainable approach which is likely to bring meaningful change in senior level representation.
Gender Balance Network
Our Gender Balance Network further supports the career progression of women through personal development and networking opportunities. In addition, we also focus on providing a range of training and mentoring programmes to support our talented women to thrive and accelerate their careers. Our partnerships help us continue to create diverse talent pools and further promote gender balance at all levels of the organisation.
30% Club
We partner with the 30% Club, an organisation focused on improving gender balance at senior level by providing cross-business mentoring for our talented women. We currently have over 100 mentors and mentees who have participated in the scheme.
Henpicked
Meno Forum is our employee working group focusing on policy, education and cultural changes to make our workplace accommodating and welcoming to people experiencing menopause. We have partnered with Henpicked, making it easier to get everyone talking about menopause at work.
Our Working Parents and Carers Network understand that balancing family and caring responsibilities with working life can feel like another job within itself. Thus, the Network was formed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that all colleagues feel supported and aware of the resources and tools available to help them find a better work-life balance.
We strive to improve the representation of ethnic minorities at all levels of the organisation. We want all of our employees to feel recognised, valued and respected.
In April 2020 we became signatories to the Race at Work Charter to help direct our actions around race equity and ensure that we have representation of ethnic minorities across all levels of the organisation.
Our current ethnic diversity monitoring data is at 85% completion for the Group and we are continuing to work on initiatives to make progress on this.
10,000 Black and Able Interns
We have partnered with the 10,000 Interns Foundation to offer paid work experience for interns who identify as Black or having a disability.
Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Network
This Network has members from across the organisation. It supports initiatives to increase ethnic minority representation at all levels.
At Close Brothers we are passionate about fairness and equality, and we’re committed to building an inclusive environment that enables all of our colleagues, including those who identify as LGBTQ+ to thrive.
Unity Network
Our LGBTQ+ Network brings together those who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies from across the Group. The Network has an elected committee who have been instrumental in our Pride celebrations.
Stonewall
We partner with Stonewall, who have supported us in starting up our LGBTQ+ Network. Stonewall have also visited us onsite to deliver specialist training on LGBTQ+ rights and review all of our people policies to ensure they are inclusive to all.
Building an inclusive environment that allows everyone to thrive
Every June, the LGBTQ+ community and allies come together for a celebration of diversity, acceptance and self-pride during Pride month.
We recognise the importance of addressing the needs of all our colleagues and making our workplace accessible for all.
Business Disability Forum
We are members of the Business Disability Forum, a leading disability inclusion organisation to support the attraction, recruitment, retention and career development of employees with disabilities.
Accessiblity Network
Our Accessibility Network focuses on Neurodiversity and all different abilities. It drives forward our commitment to action and will advance inclusion for disabilities and long-term conditions of all kinds, whether a physical, neurodivergent, a mental health condition or long-term illness.
Disability Confident Scheme
We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 1) Employer in the Disability Confident Employer Scheme.
Wellbeing Network
The Network’s mission is to promote positive mental and emotional wellbeing by creating an empathetic and respectful working environment, underpinned by a network of support for all colleagues. Through education, sharing lived experiences and working with line managers and HR the Networks aims to ensure each person feels supported and valued knowing that they can feel safe being themselves in the workplace.
We are committed to providing opportunities for all regardless of their background or experience.
UpReach Programme
We have partnered with UpReach to run internship programmes for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and offer opportunities to apply for permanent roles at the end.
Social Mobility Network
Our employee-led Social Mobility Network supports the company’s commitment to be an inclusive employer and find, attract, develop and retain people from all socio-economic backgrounds.
Our pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant
As signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant, Close Brothers recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country.
In 2024, we were pleased to be awarded the bronze award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
Veterans Network
Our Veterans Network's mission is to support the veteran community, showing appreciation for those who have served or are currently serving whilst making positive impact for Close Brothers through a diverse and inclusive culture.