Our initiatives
We commissioned an Equality Impact Assessment ahead of the launch of the Development Bank in October 2017, and commissioned a further report just after the 5-year anniversary of the Development Bank in early 2023. Both Equality Impact Assessments were undertaken by external consultants and made a series of recommendations on improving equality, diversity and inclusion.
As part of our commitment to ensuring that the Development Bank is an inclusive workplace we are:
Investing in colleague development by providing a range of training opportunities to meet individual, team and business needs.
Continuing to roll out the career progression framework, providing structured opportunity to progress in all parts of the business.
Ensuring our policies continue to support and retain talent in the workplace e.g. flexible working, parental leave, maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, carers leave.
Promoting an inclusive culture, through regular newsletters and communication.
Striving to ensure that all colleagues can embrace flexible working and can work in a way that suits them, their career aspirations and the Development Bank.
Working in partnership with Great Places to Work to benefit from sharing best practice and external benchmarking.
Great Place to Work
We are incredibly proud that our organisation is officially Great Place to Work Certified™.
We conduct an annual survey including questions regarding inclusivity. We are pleased to report in the responses for 2024, 97% of individuals felt they are treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation, race, age or gender.
The prestigious award is based entirely on what colleagues said about their experience working at the Development Bank. 88% of colleagues said it’s a great place to work – 34 points higher than the average UK company.
The below quotes were taken from Development Bank colleagues in the recent survey:
- “Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and I get a real family vibe here. It's a great atmosphere and I am glad I made the move.”
- “Everyone helps each other and there is a good 'everyone is equal' mentality.”
- “[The Development Bank] treat their staff with such respect and kindness that I have never experienced before in my other employment.”
- “The work life balance is the best I've ever had it.”
- “A great hybrid workplace with online collaborative opportunities that keep a diverse workspace. It's a great way to ensure the best skills for the business are kept, regardless of location.”
Recruitment
Before recruiting for any role, we identify if there are any barriers which may limit applicants. If any barriers are identified, we take reasonable action to remove them.
We consider where a vacant role will be advertised and consider if there is anywhere else which might get more views.
We consider the proposed requirements for the role with regards to hours of work, location, days of work etc and question whether the role can be scoped with more emphasis on flexibility.
We have a sponsorship license to provide visas to applicants requiring sponsorship.
Colleagues can choose to add their pronouns to their email signatures.
Training
The Development Bank has delivered the following equality and diversity training:
- Group-wide 'dignity at work' and 'unconscious bias' training which has heightened awareness of everyone's own bias as the first step to addressing the issue.
- Group-wide, compulsory bite-size online questions focussing on equality and diversity.
We also conduct an annual gender pay analysis, ensure fair recruitment processes, provide mandatory training on unconscious bias and inclusive leadership, and enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination.
Through these efforts, we aim to create a workplace that celebrates diversity, supports equity, and ensures every team member can thrive.
Our dedication to these principles is not just about compliance but about driving forward a culture of innovation and mutual respect that benefits everyone in our organisation.
Our dedicated people strategy outlines our commitments to new and existing colleagues, with the core aim of the Development Bank being an employer of choice.
We will continue to deliver a dedicated wellbeing strategy that supports the mental, physical and financial wellbeing of our colleagues.
