DE & I
bit of focus on addressing racial equality in the UK and USA . We have some wonderful opportunities to expand this work in other markets throughout the Americas , Europe , Africa , the Middle East , and Asia Pacific . We ’ re partnering with organisations , including BYP Network ( Black Young Professionals ), to help us identify and execute meaningful and tangible actions to help us progress our goals .
Are there any other DE & I awards and certifications RX is working towards ? We ’ re proud of our achievement of Comparably Awards for Best Company Global Culture , Best CEO for Women , and Best CEO for Diversity . In addition to our work around Race and Ethnicity , we are partnering with several external organisations to help us identify opportunities to advance our inclusion goals around Gender Equity , LGBTQIA +, Disability , and Inclusive Workplace .
One example is our work with
Business Disability Forum and their Disability Smart programme , which helps us continuously assess our levels of leadership , policies and procedures that impact support for People with Disabilities . This year RX and our sibling and parent companies jointly submitted the HRC Foundation ’ s Corporate Equality Index assessment , which serves as a roadmap and benchmarking tool for businesses for advancing LGBTQIA + equality in the workplace .
How can other industry leaders follow in RX ’ s footsteps towards creating more inclusive environments ? Leadership from the front of the organisation : It is very important to progressively build a DEI & B focus into core functions for every organisation member . Our
CEO , Hugh Jones , and the entire executive leadership team have not only supported our strategy , but they have been the faces and sponsors of many of the programmes we ’ ve launched across the business . We ’ ve built DEI & B objectives into their KPIs , and they are engaged in this work every day .
We also have a very strong set of values at RX . We use the acronym NIMBLE to communicate effectively , and globally , and we have placed Inclusion at the heart of these values : Networked – Inclusive – Magical – Brave – Love of Learning – Entrepreneurial .
Engage everyone at all levels : As I mentioned before , there are over 180 RX colleagues who have volunteered to be members of the RX Global Inclusion Council , Global Diversity Committees , or ERG Leadership Teams . We have early career professionals working alongside senior executives in these groups , which has created a strong level of trust , safety , and collaboration .
Focus internally first : My most important piece of advice is to start with an internal focus , beginning with ensuring diverse representation in your talent acquisition and development processes . Be sure all colleagues know why various DEI & B topics are important and valuable . Finally , be sure to measure your progress . It ’ s great to have rich DEI & B programming in place but be sure you are connecting employee feedback sentiments with this work . Over time , you will see new behaviours and mindsets make their way into your show strategies . EW
l For more guidance on DEI & B , check out the Guide to Inclusive Events at RX
66 Issue 5 2023 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk