Our work: Responsible Business Leadership

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We know that to sit in a leadership position within a business is to hold a lot of responsibility, most of which extends beyond business and to the region and the world around us.

As the world changes, new challenges develop, and new opportunities emerge, we promote responsible and inclusive leadership and ambition, making a tangible contribution to improving the life chances of individuals and communities across the North West.

Rising Stars

We champion initiatives that create not only a more diverse workforce, but a more productive economy for our region and ultimately, our country.

In 2018 we initiated the “NWBLT Rising Stars” programme to nurture female talent and address gender inequality in the workplace.

The Rising Stars are a network of female directors, executives and professionals from our member companies who have been brought together to support and encourage the careers of women, as well as increase the gender balance and representation of women in senior positions across our member organisations and the wider region.

Through networking opportunities, inspirational speakers, and mentoring, the Rising Stars are empowered to pursue senior positions within their organisations and beyond.
The Rising Stars developed a “Delivering Women in Leadership Charter 2024” for NWBLT members to sign up to.

Gender inclusive teams are more profitable, innovative and productive
- I recognise the targets set by the FTSE Women Leaders Review for women in FTSE 350 leadership teams and will take action to aim to collectively deliver 40% women in leadership teams across the NWBLT Membership by Dec 25.
- I will be an active ally to women, to ensure equity.
- I will uphold and champion a strict zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment, prejudice and bullying. I and my leadership team are committed to fostering an inclusive environment in our organisation, empowering women to come forward and report any inappropriate behaviour without fear of reprisal. I will also commit to providing a safe work place and promote the use of a secure journey to and from work for women.
- I will take steps to ensure that women are represented on all the tables over which I have influence – both internally and externally.
- I will champion the Charter and encourage its adoption with business partners/across the supply chain.

Diversity Drivers

The Diversity Drivers Group was established in 2021, and made up of Black and Asian business leaders or identified as someone with potential to make significant progress in their business within the next 5 to 10 years.

This group provides a safe space for learning, mentoring, development, and networking, offering valuable insights from others to support career progression. Naming themselves the NWBLT’s ‘Diversity Drivers’, the group forms part of our commitment to develop and support diverse talent, helping to deliver business leadership of the future that is more representative of all our people and communities.
The Diversity Drivers developed a pledge to which all our members have personally signed and promised to implement into their business model.

The pledge reads:
- My management team and I will have a zero-tolerance approach to racial discrimination, harassment, and bullying.
- I will be actively anti-racist and an ally to racially minoritized groups.
- I will take steps to ensure that racially minoritized groups are represented at all the tables that I can influence.
- I will create safe spaces to speak.
At the She Leads for Legacy Conference 2023, the NWBLT published ‘Promoting Race Representation and Culture Change , providing effective ED&I resource for the region’s workplaces.

The report was written and developed by Professor Lilian Otaye-Ebede PHD (Professor in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour) with support from Dr. Samah Shaffakat both at The University of Liverpool Management School and is filled with effective, working examples of race-related ED&I initiatives from large to small and medium sized organisations to take inspiration from.

United for Ukraine

Following the invasion of Ukraine the NWBLT used our convening power to bring together public and private sector partners from across the North to join forces to provide employment opportunities and support to Ukrainian evacuees. The initiative is focused on a digital platform, created by the Growth Company, which connects employers with evacuees. For Ukrainian nationals, and other refugees who are eligible, the United For Ukraine website provides a searchable list of job vacancies with employers who have committed to providing good job opportunities in a supportive environment.

Be the Business

Be the Business, a not-for-profit business support organisation whose goal is to help business owners and leaders improve the performance of their business.

Through this partnership, we encourage our partners to put senior leaders from their organisations onto a professional board of advisors set up by Be the Business. This Advisory Board offers support, challenges, and an external perspective to the executive team.

The board members offer a year of free support, meeting with the business leader every quarter to support the businesses to grow. The boards help inject their businesses with new ideas, act as a sounding board on business strategy and stress-test critical decisions.

To date many of our members have utilised this opportunity, such as Accenture, Manchester Airport and Assura. If you want to find out more, please click through to Be The Business/Advisory Boards.

Responsible Business Leadership

We provide a clear business voice that emphasises our growth sectors and supports the initiatives, causes and organisations making a difference in our region.

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