HS2 win Apollo Project Award for EDI Efforts!

HS2 recently won the New standard in Inclusive Procurement and approach to EDI compliance at The Apollo Project Awards.

HS2 is setting a new standard in inclusive procurement supplier diversity, and EDI requirements in major contracts in the UK. Their focused approach has five clear ambitions:

• 100% of staff working on HS2 contracts will be trained in areas of EDI relevant to their role
• Implementation of alternative models of recruitment which limit bias and increase the diversity of the workforce
• Ability to report spending with SMEs and diverse suppliers
• Demonstrating the education, training, supplier, and employment opportunities we bring into the communities we impact
• Aiming to have a Tier 1 supply chain that is all EDI accredited

Their philosophy of not asking their contractors to do what they are not willing to do themselves has seen the amount spent with diverse suppliers from BAME, Women, Disabled and LGTB groups more than double.

The Apollo Project is a global cross-sector initiative for businesses and organisations of all sizes, which provides the practical tools needed to better embed more inclusive workplace practices and cultures to promote meritocracy. The Apollo Project, now in its fourth year, is an initiative of the InterLaw Diversity Forum in partnership with the Financial Times. This year, individual awards have been added to recognise innovative change-makers acting as catalysts for workplace culture change, as well as organisations. This year’s Apollo Project is kindly sponsored by GE, National Grid, and Reed Smith.