WIBF Attends the Launch of Groundbreaking DE&I Report
news published date 29 January 2025This landmark report, developed in collaboration with leading diversity campaigns and experts, provides critical insights into the interventions that drive meaningful change in workplace inclusion. The WIBF ACT Good Finance Framework insights were included in the report from EY and we collaborated with them and all the other organisations to produce this report.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including Ministers, MPs, policymakers, and senior business leaders, to discuss the report’s findings and the importance of evidence-based diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategies. Hosted by The Lord Loomba CBE, the gathering featured impactful speeches from Anna Anthony, EY UK & Ireland Regional Managing Partner, and Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, both of whom highlighted the urgent need for businesses to take a data-driven, holistic approach to DE&I.
WIBF’s President Anna Lane and Nicky King, head of corporate partnerships attended the event, alongside our corporate representatives from Wells Fargo, IG, LBG, Legal & General and Deutsche Bank, to engage in conversations about how the financial services sector can adopt the report’s recommendations. With approximately 50-60 senior representatives from across the UK business community in attendance, the discussion underscored the growing demand for organisations to prioritise DE&I not just as an ethical imperative but as a fundamental driver of business resilience and innovation.
Key Findings from the Report
The ‘DE&I Interventions that Deliver’ report sheds light on the persistent underrepresentation of women and minority groups in British businesses, particularly at senior levels. While companies have increasingly implemented DE&I initiatives over the past two decades—expanding their focus beyond gender to include race, disability, LGBTQ+ identities, socio-economic background, and age – many still struggle with the how of creating real impact.
The report emphasises that successful DE&I efforts require leadership accountability, clear measurement of impact, and an integrated approach that considers multiple characteristics. Drawing on insights from diversity campaigns, academic research, and employer experiences, it identifies key interventions that foster workplace inclusion, belonging, and representation. The practical recommendations provided aim to help organisations embed DE&I into their business strategies and drive lasting systemic change.
Why This Matters
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than just values—they are essential for building stronger, more innovative, and more resilient organisations. As businesses navigate an increasingly unpredictable world, prioritising DE&I is not just a moral duty but a business imperative. The new report by EY offers actionable strategies for companies looking to create inclusive cultures, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive long-te
rm equity in the workplace.
To learn more about the report’s findings and how your organisation can implement effective DE&I strategies, read the full report here: de-and-i-interventions-that-deliver Report January 2025.