Balfour Beatty signs open letter for black inclusion within business

Balfour Beatty has signed an open letter committing to engaging and measuring long-term actions for black inclusion within its business.

The letter, organised by recruitment firm Audeliss and management consultancy Involve – The Inclusion People, commits Balfour Beatty to advancing diversity, elevating black voices across the business, and realising where action needs to be taken.

The company has already set out a 2018 Diversity and Inclusion strategy, with initiatives such as a reverse mentoring programme, focus groups with BAME colleagues, and exercises to raise awareness for diverse experiences within the business.

But Balfour said it wanted to do more to create an inclusive culture and diverse workforce.

Aaron Reid, head of sustainability and steering group member for Balfour’s Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Programme, said: “Black lives matter at Balfour Beatty. That’s not just a sentiment, or a platitude, it’s a belief, backed up by action.

“We want to attract, recruit, train and progress the best of all available talent. We want to feed our executive pipeline so we make sure we have black people represented at the highest levels within our business and across our sector.”

Leo Quinn, chief executive, said: “For the construction and infrastructure industry to truly harness its potential, it must address any issues that reduce accessibility for current and potential employees. To do this, it must understand the needs, working experiences and barriers for black people if it is to become a diverse and inclusive industry – one that is truly collaborative, innovative and creative.

“That is why Balfour Beatty has today committed to reporting on the sustainable and long-term actions needed to address black inclusion in the workplace. As the first in our industry to do so, I hope that it will inspire others to hold themselves accountable, helping to break down barriers, and enable our industry to harness the potential of a truly diverse workforce.”