Business in the Community

Pride of Place – together lifting up the UK
2025-03-17 18:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | London
Join us to learn about the future of place-based regeneration, network with others, and hear more about how you can get involved.

This is an in person event.
Audience
This is an invite only event for parliamentarians and business leaders interested in Place-making.

About the Event
Business in the Community have been successfully delivering place-based initiatives for over four decades and as we reach more places, we want to share what works, and crucially how business and government can work in partnership to positively impact millions of lives. Hear about the future of place-based regeneration as we share our approach though the launch of our national prospectus.

Refreshments
Light refreshments will be served.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Annette.Ettarh@bitc.org.uk, Events Manager at BITC for any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Business Response Forum: Navigating the Evolving Challenges of EDI
2025-03-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
In response to recent member enquiries, BITC is hosting a one-hour online forum to explore the increasing pushback on EDI policies.

This is a repeat of the Business Response Forum taking place on 27 February. Please do not book to attend this event if you have already booked to attend the original date.
Audience
This event is open to all Business in the Community (BITC) member organisations and has been designed for HR Leads and EDI Leads. Registrations are limited to two places per organisation. If you would like more of your team to attend, please email Jenny.McLaren@BITC.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.

About the event
In response to recent member enquiries, BITC is hosting a one-hour, confidential, online forum to explore the shifting landscape of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and the increasing pushback on EDI policies, particularly in the US.
The session will be introduced by Shannon Rivers, BITC’s Director of Inclusion and Wellbeing Advisory, before members participate in breakout rooms designed to encourage peer-to-peer learning, discussion, and deeper engagement. To foster an open and candid exchange, the discussion will not be recorded and will follow Chatham House rules.
This forum offers a valuable opportunity for members to:

Share insights on how businesses are responding to these challenges
Discuss adaptations to EDI strategies, language, and positioning
Learn from peers about best practices and evolving approaches

We hope you can join us for this important conversation.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Jenny.McLaren@BITC.org.uk, Event Manager, BITC for any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Cross Organisational Mentoring Circles for Ethnically Diverse Employees
2025-03-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Business in the Community (BITC) invites you to attend an information session on its Cross Organisational Mentoring Circles Programme

This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to both members and non-members of BITC, with a particular focus on those working in D&I (Diversity and Inclusion) and HR (Human Resources) who wish to learn more about the programme.

Background
Cross Organisational Mentoring Circles (COMC) creates a supportive space to connect Black, Asian, Mixed Race, and other ethnically diverse employees across our Responsible Business Network.
Participants are matched with other professionals from different organisations to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, working in circles. The mentoring circles are led by a senior leader from a participating organisation, who facilitates conversations and learning over a six-month period.
The mentoring circles empower participants to gain new insights, learn from each other’s experiences, and build a network of support and encouragement.
A cost is associated with participation in the programme, with both BITC member and non-member rates available. If you are a BITC member, please get in touch with your Relationship Manager or Adviser for more information. If you are not a member, feel free to contact us at comc@bitc.org.uk.

About the event
During this session, you will learn more about the programme’s structure, goals, and benefits. We will be joined by Darren Tanner, Marsh, to talk about his experience as a mentor and Linda Li, Southend City Council, who is currently a mentee on the programme. They will share the impact the programme has had on them. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions to the team.
This event is open to all organisations interested in learning more about the mentoring programme and how it can help your Race at Work Charter commitments. Registration is now open, with a deadline of 30 April 2025. Please note that applications are accepted from organisations only, not individuals.
Join us to learn more about this exciting initiative and take the first step toward building a supportive network of professionals from different organisations.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Jenny.McLaren@bitc.org.uk, Events Manager at BITC for any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

The King's Seeing is Believing Visit in Hounslow, London
2025-03-06 09:00 - 14:00 | Hounslow, London
The visit aims to highlight both the immediate and long-term needs of Hounslow and its communities while exploring collaborative solutions
This is an in person event.

Audience

C-Suite – attendance by invitation only. To express interest in attending, please complete the booking form and the Seeing is Believing team will reach out with further information.

Background

The King’s Seeing is Believing programme of visits is one of the most well-established and widely respected experiential leadership programmes in the UK. The Programme has been championed by HM The King for over three decades.

Over the past thirty years, its profound influence and extensive reach has engaged more than 25,000 leaders. It is a unique immersive experience which provides senior leadership from businesses of all shapes and sizes with opportunities to view their business from the ‘outside in’. It also allows them to meet and better understand those who are really struggling in life and to consider actions that can be taken to address some of the key issues facing our communities today – and in turn transform millions of lives.

About the event

This unique programme of visits brings together CEOs and senior business leaders in small groups to re-connect with communities across the UK. This programme is kindly supported by Salesforce and Linklaters.

Led by John Bason, Chair of the Primark and Hounslow Pride of Place Board, and Surinder Arora, Founder & Executive Chairman of the Arora Group, this experiential visit will bring together prominent business leaders for The King’s Seeing is Believing event in Hounslow on 6th March 2025.

The visit aims to highlight both the immediate and long-term needs of the place and its communities while exploring collaborative solutions to address these challenges.

Hounslow Pride of Place is a newly established, multi-stakeholder initiative committed to creating sustainable, impactful solutions for the people living and working in Hounslow. Our mission is to drive meaningful, positive change in the area, and we are eager to engage businesses in delivering the transformation that local communities need and deserve. By fostering collaboration between local government, businesses, and community organisations, we are working together to address some of the most urgent issues facing the Borough today.

Refreshments

Light refreshments and a lunch break.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact SIB@bitc.org.uk to book your spot or if you have any questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Let's Care Together - Programme Introduction (for Employers)
2025-03-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-01-21 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-01-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Online webinar
This webinar is for employers and wellbeing leads to introduce our new virtual befriending initiative to support carer’s wellbeing.

Audience

This is a virtual event open to employers, wellbeing leads and employee carer networks.

Background

Business in the Community (BITC) and leading healthcare provider Simplyhealth, have come together to co-create the Let’s Care Together programme.

Research shows that unpaid carers have worse wellbeing outcomes than non-carers, and are likely to be time-poor due to their caring responsibilities*. The programme aims to support carers by streamlining access to resources and providing practical support across the four pillars of wellbeing: Physical, Mental, Social and Financial. This support will include helping people with caring responsibilities to connect with friends and family, community groups and wider support, find wellbeing information and gain financial confidence.

Our volunteer befrienders will work on a one-to-one basis with each carer on one or all of the following, depending on their preference: ​

Increasing connection to their local community, improving overall social wellbeing and reducing any feelings of isolation. ​

Supporting financial independence and knowledge of financial tools/support available.​

Access to practical support and tools for their physical wellbeing. ​

Being a regular listening ear and friendly face to offer support and guidance.​

About this event

In this webinar you will learn how our Let’s Care Together programme can support unpaid carers (over 18) with their wellbeing, through pairing them with an online befriender.

Join this session to learn more about how your beneficiaries, or colleagues with caring responsibilities could benefit from the programme.

Speakers

Usha Manojkanth – BITC Programme Manager

Simon Walters – BITC Programme Manager

Michelle Brannen – BITC Programme Manager

Booking, contact details and further information

Email care@bitc.org.uk, for any further questions.

The session will take place on Teams.

Joining instructions will be sent before the event.

About Business in the Community

Business in the Community is the largest and longest-established movement dedicated to responsible business in the UK, formed in 1982 and with HM The King as our Royal Founding Patron. Together with our network of businesses we are leading the UK to create a fair and sustainable world in which to live and work.

*Carers UK 2022 – Unpaid carers continue to suffer poorer health- with some groups adversely affected.

Aberdeen Responsible Business Network meeting on Social Impact
2025-03-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Sodexo, The Exchange, 62 Market Street, Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, AB11 5PJ, United Kingdom
Join the Aberdeen Responsible Business Network on 5th March at Sodexo! Explore social impact, partnerships, and community opportunities.

Background
BITC set up the Aberdeen Responsible Business Network in 2019, it was born out of a need for professionals who were tasked with driving Responsible Business activity across their businesses, often off the side of their desks, to have a better connection to individuals who were trying to achieve the same impact.
Partnership with Aberdeen Community Planning
There has always been a will from the group to coordinate with public and third sector to ensure the work business do is led by the current community need. Therefore, BITC partnered with Aberdeen Community Planning to share relevant opportunities from the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) that business can engage in.
Anchor business support and dates for your diary
In 2025, Sodexo, Barclays, Shell and Enterprise Mobility have kindly committed to hosting the four Network meetings on 5th March, 10th June, 16th September and TBC in December. This is the first meeting of the series.

About the event
Please join us at Sodexo’s offices to hear more about:

Sodexo’s partnership with AberNecessities;
Business benefits of Social Impact activity;
BITC’s guidance on creating long term community or third sector partnerships;
Community Planning Aberdeen’s examples from the City’s LOIP to support community groups and charities in need;
Share your own experiences of delivering social impact activity and make new connections.

Audience
The Aberdeen Responsible Business Network is open to both BITC members and non-members and is free to join. It is open to all job levels too, if you are passionate about Responsible Business in Aberdeen you are welcome to join us.

Booking and contact details and further information

If you would like further information about the network before securing your place, please contact Georgia.Watson@bitc.org.uk
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Driving Data to Transform Workforce Wellbeing
2025-03-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join our drop-in session to learn how to optimise employee wellbeing with effective data use.

This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to Business in the Community (BITC) members and non-members. It is aimed at business leaders, HR, wellbeing advocates, and individuals interested in exploring how to harness data analytics within the workplace.

Background
In today’s evolving work environment, a data-driven wellbeing strategy is key to transforming workforce health and inclusion. This event will explore innovative ways to unlock the power of data for healthier, inclusive workforces.

About the event
Understand how to optimise and elevate data to create meaningful, actionable insights to drive change within your organisation. Understand how we use the Workwell model and BITC resources to develop policies and ensure long lasting impact. Options for live advice from advisors for attendees.
What you will learn:
1. How to develop data gathering techniques for your organisation
2. How to use smart data analytics to improve your business and employee experience
3. Optimise your employee efficiency through productivity boosts through wellbeing initiatives
4. Discover how BITC wellbeing practices can enhance your data-driven actions
Find out more about our Health and Wellbeing campaign.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Annette Ettarh, Event Manager, BITC with any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Breaking Barriers: Accelerating Gender Equality at Work
2025-03-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join us to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 and discuss the steps employers can take to ‘Accelerate Action’

This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to both members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC) and has been designed for HR people/Talent management practitioners/managers.

About the event
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity. But how can employers seek to address, let alone close this gap, when faced with the most difficult operating environment in recent history?
Our panel of distinguished speakers will share insights on overcoming the structural barriers to gender equality, addressing future developments such as artificial intelligence, automation and generational differences, and evolving sustainable, positive impacts on gender inclusion at work.
Join this event to understand:

Effective action you can take to address gender inequality at work
The benefits greater gender equity brings to your workplace
The emerging risks to equality that employers need to be aware of for organisational future-proofing
How to navigate difficult circumstances to keep progressing toward your gender equality goals

Please join us for this enlightening event and contribute to a dynamic discussion on advancing gender equality.

Speakers

Mary Macleod, Chief Executive, Business in the Community and Chair of the Women’s Business Council
Heejung Chung, Director of the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, Professor of Work and Employment, King’s Business School
Vicky Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Danske Bank UK and Chair, Business in the Community Northern Ireland
Ola Kolade, Education, Employment and Skills Director, Business in the Community
Kirstene Hair, Inclusion and Wellbeing Director, Business in the Community

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Jenny McLaren, Events Manager, BITC for any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Business Response Forum: Navigating the Evolving Challenges of EDI
2025-02-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
This event is now fully booked. However, in response to the high demand, we will be repeating this event on 13 March. You can book your place by contacting Jenny McLaren here.
This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to all Business in the Community (BITC) member organisations and has been designed for HR Leads and EDI Leads.

About the event
In response to recent member enquiries, BITC is hosting a one-hour, confidential, online forum to explore the shifting landscape of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and the increasing pushback on EDI policies, particularly in the US.
The session will be introduced by Sandra Kerr CBE, BITC’s Race Campaign Director, before members participate in breakout rooms designed to encourage peer-to-peer learning, discussion, and deeper engagement. To foster an open and candid exchange, the discussion will not be recorded and will follow Chatham House rules.
This forum offers a valuable opportunity for members to:

Share insights on how businesses are responding to these challenges
Discuss adaptations to EDI strategies, language, and positioning
Learn from peers about best practices and evolving approaches

We hope you can join us for this important conversation.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Jenny McLaren, Event Manager, BITC for any further questions or to join the waitlist.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

CEO Leadership Forum Lunch
2025-02-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Glasgow
This event provides the opportunity to share your experiences, successes and ideas regarding the key challenges facing the world and society.

This is an in person event.

Audience

This event is by invitation only and for CEOs.

Background

As part of Business in the Community’s (BITC) work in supporting businesses to drive transformation at pace and scale in our communities, we are holding a series of CEO Leadership Forum events.

About the event

BITC, The King’s Responsible Business Network, is the UK’s largest and most influential responsible business network representing more than 24% of the UK workforce. We are dedicated to building a fairer and greener world together by transforming lives and helping the planet and communities thrive.

Join us in Glasgow to discuss how we might collaborate to drive change and help deliver on our and your ambitions and priorities.

Refreshments

Lunch will be served.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Fiona Macleod, Head of Events at BITC for any further questions.

Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Peer Learning Forum: Mandatory Disability and Ethnicity Pay Gap Reporting
2025-02-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Interactive session on gathering ethnicity and disability pay data, and developing action plans to address identified disparities.

This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to Business in the Community (BITC) members who have inclusion in their membership package. Our Peer Learning Forums (PLF) are now open to all members who have advisory in their membership package – hosted by our experts, there are 20 forums a year, covering a range of responsible business areas and enabling our members to discuss challenges, solutions and ideas.
It has been designed for anyone interested in promoting fair pay practices, including Diversity and inclusion practitioners/managers and Heads of, and HR/People/Talent management practitioners/managers and Heads of.

Background
UK companies with 250 plus employees will have to report ethnicity and disability pay gaps under Labour plans laid out in the King’s Speech in July 2024.
In 2023 BITC surveyed over 200 employers and found that 67% of employers were monitoring data on pay and ethnicity, yet only 44% published this data. Despite the challenges in gathering this data, employers have shown that it is possible to collect and report on pay gap data, and BITC has significant evidence of businesses highlighting the effectiveness of ethnicity pay gap reporting. Data is power and without it, the best workplace decisions cannot be made.

About the event
Join us for an insightful event focused on the critical issue of disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting. This event aims to shed light on the importance of transparency in pay practices and the steps organisations can take to ensure they have the necessary action plans in place to prepare for mandatory reporting.
An expert Inclusion Adviser will discuss the current landscape of ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting and its implications for businesses. We will also be joined by Faizza Rumani from Network Rail to discuss the work they have done to gather ethnicity and disability data, how to analyse this in a meaningful way, and what actions they have taken to address the pay gap.
UK companies with 250 plus employees will have to report ethnicity and disability pay gaps under Labour plans laid out in the King’s Speech in July 2024. Industry leaders and HR Professionals will share their experiences and best practices of collecting data as well as the risks and opportunities of publishing internally versus externally.
Why attend?
• Interactive session on how to gather and analyse ethnicity and disability pay data, and develop action plans to address identified disparities.
• Gain a deeper understanding of these pay gaps and its impact on your organisation.
• Learn practical steps to implement effective pay gap reporting.
• Network with industry professionals and share best practices.
• Q&A session

Booking and contact details and further information
• Contact The Events team for any further questions.
• Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.
Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Pride of Place Breakfast
2025-02-26 08:30 - 10:00 | Glasgow
This event provides the opportunity to share your experiences, successes and ideas regarding the key challenges facing the world and society.

This is an in-person event.

Audience

This event is by invitation only.

Background

As part of Business in the Community’s (BTC) work in supporting businesses to drive transformation at pace and scale in our communities, we are holding a series of Leadership Forum Breakfast events.

About the event

Business in the Community’s Pride of Place programme unites people from all walks of life around a vision for a better future, nurturing collaboration, sustained investment and self-belief to drive action so that millions can thrive in a place they call home.

Join us in Glasgow to discuss how we might collaborate to drive change and help deliver on our and your ambitions and priorities.

Refreshments

Breakfast will be served.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Fiona Macleod, Head of Events at BITC for any further questions.

Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

New Member Induction- February 2025
2025-02-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Join us to learn how to maximise the value of your membership with Business in the Community (BITC).

This is a virtual event.
Audience
This event is open to new members of Business in the Community (BITC) or new contacts from existing BITC members in larger companies.

About the event
The New Member Induction is an opportunity for new members and contacts to understand how to maximise the value of their membership with BITC.
It will highlight the key elements and opportunities of BITC membership, and explain our purpose and mission.
Delegates will hear from an existing member about how BITC has added value to their organisation, and will be able to discuss in smaller groups the current responsible business challenges they are facing.
This induction is aimed at larger companies within our membership. If you are unsure whether this, or our smaller members induction, would be more appropriate for your organisation, please talk to your Relationship Manager.

Event details
This event will induct new members and new contacts from current member companies, to BITC.
Attend for:
• Inspiration: Be inspired to take more action on responsible business with BITC.
• Orientation: Have a clear understanding of what BITC does and how to make the most of it in alignment with the Responsible Business Map.
• Networking: Meet other contacts within the community who you can work alongside in your responsible business journey.
• Action: Identify the greatest opportunities for greater engagement.

Booking, contact details and further information
• Contact Annette Ettarh, Events Manager at BITC for further information.
• Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.
Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Race at Work Charter Surgery February 2025
2025-02-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join this event to learn more about insights from the Race at Work Charter survey, as well as the Diverse and Inclusive Supply Chain.

Audience
This event is open to members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). We also encourage those who are attending the ‘Executive Sponsors and Network Chairs’ Event on 21 March to attend this surgery.

Background
The Race at Work Charter surgeries are an opportunity for attendees to speak directly with Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Equality Director, BITC and ask any questions about the Charter, the survey, or race advisory support at BITC.
These surgeries benefit anyone wishing to sign or build on their organisation’s commitment to the Race at Work Charter.
This year our surgeries will touch on how to effectively integrate the Diverse and Inclusive Supply Chain Insights and calls to action into your existing frameworks to enhance your commitment to fairness and equality.

About the webinar
This surgery will offer attendees a chance for discussion around the Race at Work Charter including leadership and executive sponsorship and engaging employees within organisations. Additionally, we will touch upon the importance of a Diverse and Inclusive Supply Chain (DISC) and how it can enhance your organisation’s commitment to race equality.
This webinar will provide employers with a space to ask questions about the feedback available from the Race at Work Charter 2023 survey and the commitment to action that we ask of employers who have signed the Charter. We will also highlight the exciting opportunities with phase two of the Diverse and Inclusive Supply Chains project to advance the impact of inclusivity across your supply chain and organisational culture.

About the Race at Work Charter
The Race at Work Charter is seven calls to action to ensure fairness and equality so that ethnically diverse employees are represented at all levels in an organisation. The actions include:

Appoint an Executive Sponsor for race. Capture ethnicity data and publicise progress.
Commit at board level to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying.
Make clear that supporting equality in the workplace is the responsibility of all leaders and managers.
Take action that supports Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse people’s career progression.
Support race inclusion allies in the workplace.
Include Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse-led enterprise owners in supply chains.

Learn more about BITC’s Race at Work Charter.

Business in the Community’s work on race equality
BITC is working to ensure all employees feel they belong, have a voice, are valued and can be their true selves.
For 30 years, BITC has been campaigning and helping organisations to ensure Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse employees are represented at all levels.
All organisations want to recruit from the widest talent pool and help successful applicants progress. It is key to future productivity and performance. Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse staff still encounter significant disparities in employment and progression*. The government-sponsored Race in the workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review found that greater progress and positive outcomes are needed to ensure all organisations benefit from the wealth of diverse talent and tap into the potential economic boost to the UK economy of £24bn annually by tackling racial disparities in the workplace and labour market . These findings and the insights from our Race at Work surveys led BITC to create the Race at Work Charter, with 85 founding signatory organisations committed to improving equality of opportunity in the workplace. This charter now has more than 1100 signatories.
Find out more about BITC’s work on race equality.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Jessica Hart, Events Coordinator at BITC for more information.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

References
*Business in the Community (2021) Race at Work 2021 Scorecard Report

Business in the Community's (BITC) RCT Place Launch Event
2025-02-06 10:00 - 12:00 | University of South Wales, Treforest Campus, Conference Space, Llantwit Rd Pontypridd, CF37 1DL
Join us to launch BITC’s latest Place programme in Wales!

This is an in-person event.

Audience
This event is open to both members and non-members.

About the event
BITC’s RCT Place Programme facilitates meaningful connections between businesses, communities, and local councils to reset economic ambitions and collaborate on new, innovative solutions that will deliver long-term, transformative impact, and help to restore pride.
Our RCT Place Programme is a collaboration between the University South Wales, Dwr Cymru, Principality Building Society, Willis Construction, RCT Council and other key stakeholders.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact sarah.hunter@bitc.org.uk at BITC for any questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.
Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community.

Opening Doors Forum: The Role of Hiring Managers
2025-02-06 09:30 - 10:30 | Online
Join other Opening Doors signatories to share challenges, learnings, experience and best practice on opening doors to diverse talent.

This is an online event.
Audience
Open to both members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). This event would be of interest to employers seeking to learn about the increasing role of hiring managers in inclusive recruitment.

Background
Inclusive recruitment is more than a moral imperative, it’s rapidly becoming a business imperative. Businesses that succeed will benefit from a larger, more diverse talent pool, increased innovation, and improved employee retention. Research from the Boston Consulting Group found that organisations with above-average diversity levels generate 19% points more revenue from innovation (BCG, 2018). Hiring managers play a crucial role in fostering this inclusivity by championing inclusive hiring practices and promoting a workplace culture where all employees can thrive.

About the event
Join us for an insightful webinar designed for talent acquisition leads, hiring managers and business leaders committed to building inclusive workplaces. This session will uncover the pivotal role hiring managers play in ensuring that recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible for all. The next Opening Doors webinar will provide:
• An opportunity to understand the role of hiring managers in inclusive recruitment.
• Learn from leading businesses on how they upskill their hiring managers in inclusive practices.
• Discussion on the challenges and opportunities of recruiting diverse talent.

Guest speaker
• Katie Dodsworth, Leadership and Talent Assessment lead, Deloitte

Booking and contact details and further information
• Contact events@bitc.org.uk for any further questions.
• Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.
Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

BITC Inclusive Recruitment Event - Wrexham
2025-02-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Wrexham University, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 2AW
Learn of the benefits to your business in adopting inclusive recruitment processes to tap into the talents of a diverse workforce.

Audience
This event is open for members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). It is aimed mainly for HR Directors or Recruitment Managers or those who are responsible for recruiting and developing the workforce.
About the event

Be inspired by our speakers and gain unique insight into the employer actions that are making the most impact to improve social mobility through an intersectional lens.
Find out how our network can help you tackle current challenges and provide the toolkits and factsheets to equip you to prioritise equality in your workplace.
Be motivated to act faster, braver and bolder in making changes and improvements within your organisation to attract, recruit and retain a diverse workforce.
Engage with and learn from our network of responsible businesses and take part in our interactive breakout discussions.

Booking, contact and further information
For any questions on the event please contact sarah.hunter@bitc.org.uk
Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community.

BITC Scotland Aberdeen Place Launch
2025-02-04 08:30 - 11:00 | Shell Woodbank North Deeside Road Aberdeen AB15 9PN
Join us to achieve social impact in Aberdeen.

This is an in person event.
About the event
The event will involve a breakfast roundtable of members, businesses and stakeholders who want to work together to deliver innovative social impact and to provide funding for the Business in the Community (BITC) Place programme in Aberdeen.
We will look at the needs of the communities and how they can be improved through a unique partnership between business, community and local authority.
Why attend?

Shape the future: contribute to shaping BITC’s Place programme in Aberdeen.
ESG (Environmental, social, Governance) impact: enable your business to deliver against your ESG strategies.
Learn from leaders: hear about impact stories from businesses that have partnered with BITC’s Place programmes in other areas.

Key Speakers:

To be announced shortly

Background
BITC’s Place Programme is about bringing everyone together in a place to act collaboratively. To act on long-term goals, based on a common agreement of the challenges, opportunities and solutions and drawing on the strengths of everyone in that community, whether they are a business, a community organisation or from the public sector.
To facilitate meaningful connections between businesses, communities, and local councils to reset economic ambitions and collaborate on new, innovative solutions that will deliver long-term, transformative impact.
With the aim to create communities that are thriving, socially and economically – working collectively for a meaningful, shared outcome.

Refreshments
Breakfast items will be provided.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Georgia Watson for any futher questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Climate Action - How To Decarbonise Your Business
2025-01-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd, Tenth Avenue, #Zone 3, Deeside, CH5 2TW
Join Business in the Community (BITC) at Toyota’s Deeside Engine Plant to discuss what businesses can do to reduce impact on the environment.

This is an in-person event.

Audience
This event is open to both members and non-members.

About the event
Join BITC and Toyota along with other organisations to find out more on how to help decabonise your business and reaching your Net Zero goals.
In the wake of the COP29 climate summit, we invite senior business sustainability leaders to join us for an essential dialogue on delivering measurable outcomes. As the urgency to address the climate crisis intensifies, businesses have a pivotal role in ensuring that the shift to a low-carbon economy is fair and inclusive, benefiting workers, communities, suppliers, and customers.

Speakers
BITC’s Climate Director, Gudrun Cartwright

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact sarah.hunter@bitc.org.uk at BITC for any questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.
Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community.

Business in the Community’s Member Conference
2025-01-28 10:30 - 17:00
Shaping Solutions for Responsible Business.

This is an in-person event.

Arrival is from 10:30, with the main session starting at 11:15. The event will close at 17:00.

Audience
This event is open to all Business in the Community (BITC) Member organisations and has been designed to benefit practitioners and those working on the Responsible Business Agenda.

About the event
Join us for a dynamic day of collaboration and innovation at our Member Conference, where we’ll discuss how to tackle the pressing challenges businesses face and shape impactful solutions.
The conference has been shaped by insights from the ‘Lifting up the UK: State of the Nation 2024’ report, reflecting the views of CEOs from the UK’s 450 largest companies.
Why attend?

Connect with peers in your industry and like-minded organisations
Learn from expert speakers on crucial business topics
Collaborate on impactful solutions for responsible business
Be part of the change that shapes a better future for society

Collaboration sessions
Each session will be led by our valued member organisations, including:

How can we close the talent gap? Led by Verizon, a telecommunications company and a BITC Member since 2019
How can your business navigate the opportunities and threats of new technologies? Led by Salesforce, a software company and a BITC Member since 2020
How can we drive fairer and greener outcomes through supply chains? Led by SKY, a broadcaster and telecommunications and a BITC member since 2000
Is there more to climate action than net zero? Led by PwC, an accounting and professional services and a BITC member since 2002
What do responsible businesses need to do differently to address complex economic and social issues? Led by Linklaters, a multinational law firm and a BITC member since 1993
Is nature the next emerging trend for responsible business? Led by Encirc, a manufacturing and logistics company and a BITC member since 2017

We’ll also have some inspiring plenary sessions from renowned speakers:

Claire Camara: The Talent Gap and Young Talent
Claudine Blamey: The Importance of a Just Transition to Net Zero

Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference.

Refreshments
Light refreshments and a sandwich lunch will be served.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact the Events Team, BITC, for any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

CEO Leadership Forum - Dinner
2025-01-23 18:30 - 21:00 | London EC2Y, United Kingdom
This event provides the opportunity to share your experiences, successes and ideas regarding the key challenges facing the world and society.

This is an in person event.

Audience

This event is by invitation only and for CEOs.

Background

As part of Business in the Community’s work in supporting businesses to drive transformation at pace and scale in our communities, we are holding a series of CEO Leadership Forum Dinner events.

About the event

These informal, private discussions over dinner will form a key part of the national conversation initiated by BITC’s Lifting up the UK: State of the Nation 2024 report, which detailed the thoughts of the leaders of some of the UK’s largest businesses on what has been done and what is still needed to change the world around us. As such, they provide CEOs with the opportunity to share their experiences, successes and ideas regarding key challenges in the world and society today, as well as the action that can collectively be taken to make a positive difference and change the world around us.

If you are unable to join this date we are also holding more dinners in the coming months, to join another date instead, click here.

We are currently finalising dates for our 2025 CEO Leadership Forum Breakfasts and look forward to sharing details with you shortly. To join us at a CEO Leadership Forum Breakfast instead, click here.

Refreshments

Dinner will be served.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Fiona Macleod, Head of Events at BITC for any further questions.

Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Peer Learning Forum: Domestic Abuse is Everyone's Issue
2025-01-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Join us for a safe forum to discuss how workplaces can better support employees experiencing domestic abuse.

This is an online event.
Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members who have advisory in their membership package. Our Peer Learning Forums (PLF) are now open to all members who have advisory in their membership package – hosted by our issue experts, there are 20 forums a year, covering a range of responsible business areas and enabling our members to discuss challenges, solutions and ideas.
This event would be of particular interest to HR generalists, inclusion and wellbeing specialists, and individuals with influence over organisational policies and procedures affecting the workforce.

About the event
In this Peer Learning Forum we will consider domestic abuse as a business issue. This session offers a confidential space for members to connect, share experiences, and discuss strategies for developing your business’s response to domestic abuse. We will explore ways to better understand, address, and respond to domestic abuse, with insights from experts who have led initiatives within their organisations.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your policies or improve your understanding of domestic abuse as a workplace issue, this forum will provide valuable insights to guide your response.
Guest speaker
• Anna Rowland, Physical Health Lead, National Grid
Background
Domestic abuse remains a highly prevalent issue in UK society.
• As of the year ending March 2024, around 2.3 million people between the ages of 16 and 74 reported experiencing domestic abuse. This includes 1.6 million women and 757,000 men, highlighting that while anyone can be affected, women remain disproportionately impacted.*
• 75% of domestic violence victims report experiencing harassment at work from their abuser. This finding highlights the significant overlap between domestic abuse and workplace environments, emphasising the need for awareness and support systems in workplaces.*
• Each year, more than 75,000 people in the UK are at high and imminent risk of being murdered or seriously injured as a result of domestic abuse.*
• 2.5 years is the average time victims at high risk of serious harm or murder live with domestic abuse before getting help.*
Supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse must therefore be a consideration for every responsible business. Appropriate, effective support from employers around domestic abuse can help provide safety and financial security for employees.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Jessica Hart, Event Coordinator, BITC for any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

References
* Domestic Abuse Statistics 2024: UK Insights and Challenges | CIH
*Domestic Violence Statistics and Your Workplace | Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
*Facts and figures on domestic abuse – SafeLives

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality Surgery
2025-01-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Online webinar
Join our online event, The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality Surgery, to learn how leading companies are promoting gender equality.

About the event
Join The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality Surgery to learn more about The Times top 50 award, how to apply, and what further support is available from Business in the Community (BITC).
In this session, you will learn:
• What is The Times Top 50 and how leading employers use it to maintain momentum and progress on gender equity
• Key information and timeline
• The support and feedback that is available on your application
• Top tips for applying
• What’s new for 2025
Background
Featuring the UK’s most highly profiled and well-established listing of employers taking action to create more gender-equal workplaces, The Times Top 50 has been driving awareness and impact on this agenda for 15 years. Entering the award provides a unique opportunity for your current policies and approach to be reviewed by independent advisers, offering expert advice, benchmarking against industry leaders and actionable feedback to refine your strategies and make meaningful progress toward a more inclusive, equitable workplace.
We aim to make this session as audience-led and interactive as possible, so if you have any questions that you would like to see addressed in the session, please send them here.
Booking, contact details and further information

Contact events@bitc.org.uk, for any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Peer Learning Forum: Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment
2025-01-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Online webinar
Engage in peer discussions on compliance measures and best practices for safer workplaces, in light of updates to the Workers Protection Act

This is an online event.
Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members who have advisory in their membership package. Our Peer Learning Forums (PLF) are now open to all members who have advisory in their membership package – hosted by our issue experts, there are 20 forums a year, covering a range of responsible business areas and enabling our members to discuss challenges, solutions and ideas.
This event is especially suited to leaders in HR, Wellbeing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), as well as those in people management and health and safety roles.

About the event
As of October 26, 2024, employers are required to implement reasonable measures to prevent sexual harassment of their workers.
In this peer learning forum, we will provide updates on the new legislation, outlining what it means for organisations and the necessary actions to ensure compliance and protection of employees.
The event will also feature time for peer discussions, allowing participants to learn from each other’s experiences, share insights, and explore best practices with those in their industry.
To foster open and honest dialogue, this conversation will be conducted under Chatham House rules, and this event will not recorded.

Agenda
– What is the new legislation around sexual harassment at work & what does this mean for employers?
– Strategies for preventing sexual harassment at work
– Break out discussions: Insights and experiences of sexual harassment policies and prevention at work

Guest speakers

Rajinder Pryor MBE, Network Rail, Head of Business Partnering (Southern Region), Board Trustee Women in Rail | EIDA Ambassador

About Business in the Community’s Peer Learning Forums
BITC’s Peer Learning Forums provide a confidential environment to discuss common issues, solutions, and good practice. There will be an emphasis on discussion and sharing experiences. All contributions from businesses will be confidential within the group and won’t be shared externally by BITC.
Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Jessica.hart@bitc.org.uk , Event Coordinator, BITC for any further questions.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Peer Learning Forum: Neurodiversity in the Workplace
2024-12-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Join us to explore how we can create neuro-inclusive workplaces that empower neurodivergent colleagues to thrive.

This is an online event.
Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members who have advisory in their membership package. Our Peer Learning Forums (PLF) are now open to all members who have advisory in their membership package – hosted by our issue experts, there are 20 forums a year, covering a range of responsible business areas and enabling our members to discuss challenges, solutions and ideas.

About the event
Although 15-20% of employees are likely to be neurodivergent, only 60% of organisations have included a focus on neuro-inclusion (CIPD, 2024). Neurodiversity is often spoken about in the context of reasonable adjustments or workplace adaptions; to embed neuro-inclusive practices the whole employee lifecycle must be considered.
In this Peer Learning forum, we will speak to guests about what meaningful actions they have taken to enable neurodivergent colleagues to thrive. We will be looking at translatable strategic action which drives both the inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent colleagues.
In this Peer Learning Forum you will learn about:
– The need to take action
– Why neurodivergence is an intersectional issue
– What other companies have done to increase neuro-inclusion.
You will leave the session with:
– An understanding of the impact that neurodivergence has on the employee lifecycle
– Clarity on invaluable interventions which empower neurodivergent colleagues
– Knowledge of how to implement a person-centred approach.
Guest Speakers

Teagan Robinson-Bell, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Anchor, will be joining us to share how Anchor is embedding neuro-inclusion and supporting its 11,000 strong workforce.
Saaika Mubeen, EDI Manager, General Medical Council
Rachel Qazi, Investigations Assistant, General Medical Council

Booking, contact details and further information
– Contact Jessica Hart, Event Coordinator, BITC for any further questions.
– Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.
Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2025 Launch
2024-12-12 10:00 - 11:15 | Online
Join us to launch The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2025 and hear new findings on the commercial case for gender equity.

This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). It has been designed to be of most benefit to those working in Corporate / External affairs, CSR/Responsible business/ ESG, Diversity and Inclusion and HR/People/Talent management.

About the event
In a world where progress towards greater gender equality remains fragile, and in some spaces, risks rolling back, join this session to explore:
• New research highlighting the ‘commercial case’ for gender equity at work – including how this applies to the working world of the future, particularly challenges such as climate change and equitable technological innovation.
• How you can reap the benefits of greater gender equity by benchmarking and enhancing your approach through applying to the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality.
Panellists will include senior staff from previous Times Top 50 award winners such as:
• Kelly Beaver MBE, Chief Executive of Ipsos Mori in the UK and Ireland, one of the UK’s largest research agencies.
• Sharmaine Lovegrove, MD of Dialogue Books, an imprint of Hachette UK, former literary editor at Elle.
• Jackie Henry MBE, Managing Partner for People and Purpose at Deloitte.
Gender inequality remains one of the most devastating types of inequality in the UK, and for women and girls from poorer communities or Black, Asian, Mixed Race or other ethnically diverse backgrounds – things are only getting worse.
However, beyond the moral and social case, the data is clear that greater gender diversity and equity has a large, positive impact on businesses’ commercial performance, both directly through increasing revenues and reducing costs, and indirectly through enabling greater resilience to major commercial risks and opportunities, including climate change and artificial intelligence (AI)
This panel discussion will consider how to utilise this new research to drive progress and reflect on how applying to the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality – the UK’s largest, longest established assessment of employers’ efforts on this agenda – can support businesses to improve their practice.

Background
The Times Top 50 Employers is the UK’s most high-profile and well-established listing of employers taking action to create workplaces where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive.
Women and minoritised genders are disproportionately affected in times of more significant political and economic uncertainty, as gender inequalities deeply entrenched in working life have a greater impact. At a time when the UK continues to experience a cost of living crisis, women are paid less, are more likely to be employed in severely insecure work and have less access to highly paid, highly skilled roles due to the need of more women having to balance work and caring responsibilities. As such, the need for employer intervention to ensure greater gender equality and avoid a backslide in progress has never been greater.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Jessica Hart, Events Co-ordinator, BITC.
Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community
