London South East Colleges was recognised for investing in the ethnicity agenda across a range of criteria and was able to demonstrate that it is creating change by implementing initiatives through the seven categories and recommendations in the Investing in Ethnicity Maturity Matrix.
The college was shortlisted alongside Ashurst Perkins Coie, Experian, Jacobs, Lloyds Banking Group, Macquarie, Platform HG, Stonewater, Sussex Police and Vodafone.
“It’s a great achievement to have received this award,” said Janet Curtis-Broni, Group Chief People Officer for the Elevare Civic Education Group, the group under which London South East College sits. “It’s an accolade to the hard work of our team to take a proactive approach to diversity and inclusion and the impact this has made. It isn’t necessarily easy, but it is important to us and our reflects our values.”
Asfa Sohail, Deputy CEO and Principal of London South East Colleges, added: “I am incredibly proud that this recognition reflects the work of our staff and students across LSEC. Every day, I see the commitment of colleagues to creating an inclusive community where our students feel valued, respected and able to achieve their ambitions.
“This award is a testament to our collective commitment to celebrating diversity, creating opportunity and ensuring that everyone has a strong sense of belonging. I am immensely proud of our staff and students and of the culture we continue to build together.”
The judging for the Outstanding Employer award considered the capture of diversity data, the implementation of an action plan, building understanding and supporting development and representation of diverse ethnic groups.
London South East Colleges showed consistently high levels of ethnicity data disclosure year after year and made clear progress on ethnic representation in middle management. Ethnicity inclusion training has reached the vast majority of its staff, and its supplier code of conduct requires every partner to meet the same equity standards, extending its impact beyond its own workforce. It also achieved the maximum available score in both Insights and Data and Retain and Development.
Sarah Garrett, CEO and Founder of Investors in Ethnicity, said, “The Outstanding Employer accolade is one of our most competitive awards due to the robust criteria and evidence needed through the Matrix.
“I’m so proud to see London South East Colleges is leading the way and creating such an inclusive environment for ethnic diverse colleagues and publics.
“The education establishment is now in its fifth year of completing the benchmark, and this is the first time this coveted title has gone to the education sector. It is fantastic to see a college, which shapes the lives of thousands of young people, putting in the work to be truly inclusive and building on where we are now to where we might be in the future.”
"This is a significant achievement," added Dr Sam Parrett, Group Principal and CEO of Elevare Civic Education Group. "To be the first education establishment to win the Outstanding Employer award at the Ethnicity Awards demonstrates our investment and commitment to the communities we serve.
"It is vital that we are representative of our communities; that our learners see people in roles of leadership and responsibility who look like them; and that we build aspiration and opportunity for all. I couldn't be prouder of our teams for the hard work they have put in to make sure that barriers are removed so people can meet their potential."