Clear Assured Platinum HS2

HS2 has achieved Platinum standard in all four categories of the Clear Assured best practice benchmark, the only organisation in the UK to have ever achieved it out of more than 450 participating organisations. HS2 received the award in recognition of our commitment to embedding
inclusive best practice into all elements of its work, including the design and delivery of Britain’s new railway. 

Focus areas which we were assessed against included:
Continuity and sustainability of going above and beyond – Clear Assured found evidence of a clear and unequivocal message to our supply chain and Board around our commit to EDI. Having a champion at Board level shows visibility and genuine commitment to be an exemplar in EDI practice
Innovation – such as the Inclusive Design Standard for stations incorporating a set of principles to consider the needs of a diverse range of users now and in the future
Proactive challenging of current thinking – Clear Assured found increased transparency with clear, fair, and equal processes and an impressive, mature focus on EDI in our talent management strategies
The stretching of boundaries around corporate citizenship – Clear Assured found that our reverse mentoring programme and approach to
community engagement had made a real shift in culture and future continuity, evidenced by an increase in transparency and approachability, access to new career opportunities, internal networking and education, solutions to business problems and a sense of wellbeing and values being brought to life.

HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson said: “It’s absolutely vital that we strive
continuously to increase diversity and support inclusion across government, public sector projects and beyond. HS2 has made a commitment to put inclusivity at the heart of their work and it’s encouraging to see their continued efforts receive recognition as the only organisation in the UK with this accreditation.”

Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2, said: “This accreditation reflects the investment and commitment we’ve made to our company values at HS2 and the culture we are creating. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of that culture and all that we do, ensuring that we have an open, fair and positive environment for our employees to do their best work every day. We’re building a railway for future generations that will help connect many of the major towns and cities of our country, so it’s imperative that the diversity of the communities it will serve is
reflected in our approach to the development, design, construction and operation of the railway.”

During a year of unprecedented challenges, achieving one of our strategic goals to be an exemplar of EDI practice is an achievement we are proud of. Despite our Platinum accredited status, we are not complacent and acknowledge there is much more that we can do as an organisation and for the sector through our supply chain.