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Commitment and collaboration

Organisations that are explicit, clear and engaged with their EDI strategy have a greater chance of succeeding and have a better reputation among stakeholders. Commitment also brings a sense of accountability, which is critical to the overall success of any strategy. This section outlines practical steps you can take to represent and executive your commitment to EDI. Whether your organisation is only a few people, or a global player with several offices, declaring the organisation's intention to consider EDI in all it does can be powerful.

Learn about EDI and how it applies to your sector

The starting point for any size organisation will be learning about EDI and how it applies in your sector; consult and share your findings with your organisation’s board members and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

Learn about EDI in the creative and cultural industries in London.

There are specific reports available, which will help give you a solid grounding in the concerns facing your particular sub-sector. 

Collect data on the diversity of your workforce

Data is fundamental to any successful EDI initiative. Without understanding the breakdown of who is in your workforce, it is difficult to identify where particular interventions will successfully improve EDI outcomes. You can find information and resources to help you collate your organisation's data. 

As a starting point, consider the method you will use to collect data - a short survey can be a useful tool. Begin with asking about the nine protected characteristics and consider any qualitative information you would like to gather from your workforce. Once you have collected demographic data, ensure that you analyse the results through an intersectional lens.

If you are a larger organisation, consider commissioning a third party to conduct an annual EDI audit. This can help your organisation to keep track of any progress and help to refresh your strategic EDI approach.

Engage with other industry organisations and trade unions to access advice and support on EDI

For Priority Group individuals not currently working in the sector, seeing a whole industry committed to positive change may help alter perceptions that the industry is not for them. Engaging with other industry organisations can help organisations access advice and support, whilst also sharing lessons learnt and best practice. It provides an opportunity for the industry to evolve into a sector committed to inclusion.

Trade unions are also an authoritative source of guidance on equality issues in the workplace. If your employees are members of a union, their representatives will be an important stakeholder in consulting on and developing your EDI strategy. Whether your employees are members or not, the Trades Union Congress has a range of helpful resources on EDI issues.

If you are a larger organisation, consider the ways in which you can take an active role in sharing information with smaller organisations. This provides your organisation with an opportunity to demonstrate leadership on relevant EDI topics.

Here are some of the ways that your organisation can start to think about engaging and collaborating:

  1. Encourage and support employees to speak on external industry panels and publicise these events explicitly via all appropriate channels.
  2. Attend networking events for Priority Groups within the industry and highlight role models, encouraging leaders and managers to attend events.
  3. Share creative and cultural industries EDI best practice with other organisations, as well as obtaining guidance on how best to facilitate a robust EDI strategy and culture. Share collaborations publicly to bolster accountability.
  4. Consider cross-sector mentoring and reverse mentoring.
  5. Take part in research within the sector to improve data disclosure, data gathering, and data analysis in relation to EDI.

You can watch all the sessions from Ofcom's All in: Diversity in Broadcasting 2021 event for key guidance on collaboration.

  • BRiM is a cross-industry initiative created to improve the representation of Black people in marketing.
  • What Next? is a free-to-access movement that brings freelancers, and small and large organisations together to debate and shape arts & culture.
  • Rising's mentoring scheme pairs young creatives with industry professionals working in a wide range of creative jobs.
  • Pocc is a creative network that brings like-minded creatives together through networking sessions, WhatsApp groups and talks. Pocc's not-for-profit arm, For the Culture and Community, set up in 2022, supports a variety of community-led initiatives, campaigns, events, scholarships, film club screenings and member activities, with a focus on positively improving the lived experiences of creative professionals from the African, Caribbean and Asian diasporas.

Embed EDI into your business plan as a strategic priority

An EDI policy is a written agreement for your organisation which addresses how you will promote equity and create a safe and inclusive atmosphere for your employees and service users. Equal Measures has created an adaptable EDI policy template you can use.

Small business owners are always squeezed for time and wear many hats in the organisations they run. Setting aside time to consider EDI on a regular basis will help to create a habit. Even 30 minutes a fortnight or a month will help you to become more intentional about how you build EDI into your work.

Where you can, allocate a specific pot of money for EDI, however small. This could be used to:

  • Upskill yourself or key people in your team on EDI best practices, for example, inclusive recruitment practices training for anyone who makes hiring decisions in your organisation.
  • Attend networking conferences and events led by diverse creative businesses.
  • Update your website to include your EDI vision statement, strategy or commitment.