The events of 2020, including the murder of George Floyd, made many more people aware of levels of racial inequality across the globe. They also acted as a catalyst for change. One year on, executive sponsors of race employee networks in key infrastructure organisations have come together to share their commitment to making progress on race equality and to tackling racism in the workplace.
The UK-based Race Cross-Sector Collaboration Group consists of the leads from a number of infrastructure organisations’ employee networks focused on race equality. The group came together in November 2020 to provide peer support and to share best practice. Members of the group - including Mott Macdonald, HS2, Skanska, Arcadis, Slaughter and May, Network Rail, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Thames Water, Costain and Aggregates Industries - created this video as part of their commitment to making their workplaces more inclusive and the sector more diverse.
While this video features our UK partners, every region of our organisation has been working hard to make real progress on race equality and we will continue to prioritise our time and resources to deliver change in this area.
Vanessa Burton, chair Advancing Race and Culture Network and assistant civil engineer, Mott MacDonald in Europe, said: “Over the last year we have participated in honest and open conversations around race and racism across the company. More importantly however, we have seen action. We are collaborating with organisations across our sector to create a future where our race, culture, religion, gender, how we self-identify, who we chose to love or any trait that makes us unique, does not dictate our right to succeed, to be treated fairly and to live.”
Frances McAndrew, group head of inclusion added that “whilst there is still a long road ahead, together with our industry partners, our leadership, our executive sponsors and our Advancing Race and Culture Networks we will continue to do all we can to tackle racism and discrimination. Our focus is on building a diverse and inclusive organisation and in collaboration with others in our industry, to tackle the more deeply rooted barriers to equality and social inclusion.”