Nikunj Upadhy joins Wates as head of D&I in September from Barclays
Wates has set out an ambitious new diversity and inclusion (D&I) plan, which includes a target of increasing the number of women in the business to 40% of total employees by 2025.
This will double the proportion of women employed at the contractor, one of several key targets in its D&I Plan ‘Wates Together’.
The strategy will be led by a new group head of D&I, Nikunj Upadhyay, who will join Wates in September from Barclays Bank.
Wates Together pledges to create a workforce more reflective of society in general, with 20% of people from black, Asian and other minority backgrounds, 3% with a disability and 5% LGBTQ+.
The firm has also pledged to reduce its gender pay gap, which currently stands at 23.1%, and set a target of having young women filling 50% of its early careers intake. It wants 5% of all recruits to be career returners.
Wates chief executive, David Allen, said: “The entire built environment sector needs to change to become more representative of the society we serve. At Wates we want a role in leading that change.
“We’re delighted to welcome Nikunj Upadhyay to our leadership team to lead this important work. Through her experience at Barclays and earlier at HSBC and Accenture, Nikunj has overseen the implementation of initiatives focused on increasing the representation of women and engagement of under-represented groups, as well as programmes to promote flexible working.”
Wates’ new D&I plan will be implemented with a new inclusive leadership programme, a mixed mentoring initiative and a review of the company’s recruitment processes. The plan also commits Wates to an overhaul of its parental leave and flexible working policies.
Upadhyay said: “For me, an inclusive workplace is where we feel our individuality is cherished and we can be confident to bring our whole self to work. I am looking forward to joining Wates and to working with everyone to deliver the ambition of #WatesTogether, where each one of us not only feels included but is also thriving.”
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