Houses of Parliament Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority: 2024 Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Report

We are thrilled to announce the publication of our fourth annual Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) report. This report represents a significant milestone in the Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive, diverse, and supportive workplace culture.

As an organisation responsible for delivering one of the most significant and historic restoration projects in the world—the renewal of the Houses of Parliament—we recognize the importance of fostering an environment where every colleague, partner, and supplier feels valued, respected, and empowered. By prioritizing diversity and inclusion in our workforce and across the broader Programme, we can ensure that the Restoration and Renewal Programme reflects the values of equality and fairness at its core.

Key Milestones Achieved in 2024

This year, we are proud to report several important EDI milestones that demonstrate our progress toward these goals:

• Gender Balance:
  We are pleased to announce that we have achieved a balanced gender profile within the Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority, with 50% female and 50% male representation. When including our strategic partners, the gender profile stands at 43% female and 57% male. This balance reflects our ongoing efforts to promote gender equality at all levels of the organization and to ensure that women and men have equal opportunities to contribute to this vital project.
• Inclusive Recruitment Training:
  Inclusive recruitment remains a cornerstone of our EDI strategy. This year, 99% of our managers successfully completed Inclusive Recruitment training, equipping them with the tools and understanding necessary to recognize and eliminate bias in the hiring process. This training not only reinforces our commitment to fair hiring practices but also ensures that we attract diverse talent. Additional workshops are planned for 2024 to maintain momentum and introduce new managers to these inclusive practices.

Addressing Challenges and Driving Future Progress

While we are proud of our achievements, we understand that this is an ongoing journey. Diversity and inclusion are not destinations but continuous processes that require regular assessment and adaptation. In this regard, our latest report highlights areas where we can improve, particularly in the representation of underrepresented groups across the Programme, including Black, other ethnic minority, disabled, and LGBT+ individuals, especially in senior positions.

To address these challenges, we have developed a comprehensive 8-point action plan for the coming year, which focuses on practical steps to drive further progress.

Our Action Plan for 2024:

➡ Supplier Requirements:
We recognise the impact our supply chain can have on the wider community. As part of our ongoing efforts to embed EDI principles across all areas of our work, we will develop new EDI contract requirements for our suppliers. Additionally, we will create a comprehensive guide to help suppliers understand and align with our diversity and inclusion goals. By doing so, we aim to ensure that everyone involved in the Restoration & Renewal Programme shares our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.

➡ Pay Gap Reporting:
Transparency is a critical aspect of our EDI strategy. In 2024, we will conduct a full Gender Pay Gap and Ethnicity Pay Gap report to better understand where disparities may exist and take concrete steps to close those gaps. By monitoring and publishing this data, we hold ourselves accountable for creating a fairer workplace where everyone is compensated equally for their contributions, regardless of gender or ethnicity.

➡ Inclusive Recruitment Training:
Building on the success of this year’s training efforts, we plan to extend Inclusive Recruitment training to new hiring managers across the organization. This will ensure that every leader involved in recruitment understands the importance of inclusivity and is equipped to apply these principles in practice. Through continued education and awareness, we hope to foster a recruitment culture that actively seeks out and supports diverse talent.

➡ Representation of Underrepresented Groups:
A key focus for the upcoming year is improving the representation of Black, other ethnic minority, disabled, and LGBT+ individuals within the Programme, particularly at the most senior levels. We will work to create pathways for career progression for underrepresented groups, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to rise to leadership roles within the organization.

Looking Ahead

The publication of this year’s EDI report is both a celebration of our achievements and a call to action for the future. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the Restoration & Renewal Programme, but we know there is more work to be done.

We remain committed to making meaningful progress in all areas of EDI, not just for our colleagues but for the broader community impacted by the Restoration & Renewal of the Houses of Parliament. Our vision is one where diversity is celebrated, inclusion is the norm, and equality is a given.

To read the full report and learn more about our ongoing initiatives, visit our website.

Together, we are building a workplace that reflects the diversity and strength of the UK, ensuring that the legacy of the Houses of Parliament is preserved for future generations through a lens of equality, fairness, and inclusion.