Business in the Community

Aberdeen Responsible Business Network: Achieving Community Regeneration
2025-09-16 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Aberdeen
For members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC) who are involved in or interested in regeneration, and are located in or have a presence in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Join us in Aberdeen on September 16, 2025 from 9.30am for a 10:00 start.
Connect with like-minded individuals, share your experiences, and discover new opportunities to make a positive impact in the community.
Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a growing network of responsible businesses in Aberdeen. Look forward to seeing you there!

Background
Business in the Community 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.

About the event – Achieving Community Regeneration
Together we’ll explore how businesses of all sizes can meaningfully contribute to community regeneration.
Responsible business strategies which consider a community’s needs alongside those of their business have a greater opportunity to empower that community to regenerate and ultimately thrive in parallel to achieving their business outcomes.
Join us to:

Connect with your Aberdeen business peers, to share practices and explore ways to progress your organisations approach to community regeneration.
Gain insights from Shell UK on the regeneration of Tullos, and the Energy Transition Skills Hub.
Appreciate Aberdeen City priorities based on Community Planning Aberdeen’s public engagement, with a focus on employability.
Share your experience, on the challenges and opportunities discussed, highlighting small and practical ways you could collaborate and contribute to community regeneration.

Agenda
0930 – Arrival and registrations
1000 – Welcome
1010 – Jennifer MacDonald, Social Investment Advisor- Skills Lead, Shell UK – Insights on the regeneration of Tullos and the Energy Transition Skills Hub
1030 – Allison Swanson, Community Planning and Improvement Manager, Aberdeen City Council – Aberdeen City priorities based on Community Planning Aberdeen’s public engagement, focus employability
1050 – Related Business in the Community initiatives
1100 – Facilitated breakout session to network with peers and learn from each other
1145 – Next steps and Meeting
1200 – Meeting closes

Refreshments

Tea/coffee will be provided

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Evelyn.Rorie@bitc.org.uk, Senior Support Officer at BITC for any futher questions.
Full attendance instructions will be sent before the event.
All attendees will be required to bring photographic ID with you on the day.
Please note that for registration at the event venue, our host Shell UK requires all guests’ email addresses. These will only be used for registration purposes and will not be shared or used for any other reason.

Find out more about Business in the Community Scotland

Inclusive Recruitment Event
2025-09-17 08:30 - 10:30 | Swansea
Join us to learn more about Business in the Community’s (BITC) flagship inclusive recruitment campaign Opening Doors.

Audience
This event is available to members and non-members of BITC.
About the event

Join us to hear from BITC’s Employment and Skills Director, Ola Kolade, around the business benefits of inclusive recruitment, including-

• Attract talent: nearly three-quarters of jobseekers report that a diverse workforce is an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers
• Fill vacancies: 51% of private sector employers report having hard-to-fill vacancies
• Improve business performance: diverse companies earn 2.5 time higher cash flow per employee, and inclusive teams are more productive by over 35%.

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. These include POBL Group, Gower College Swansea.
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.
Also, you will have the opportunity to network with other businesses and the opportunity to speak to those facing challenges in recruitment and hear the barriers they face.
Booking, contact details and further information

Contact events@bitc.org.uk 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 Champions Charter Forum
2025-09-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Online event
Join us for an exclusive Race Champions session offering an early preview of insights from the Race at Work 2025 Survey with YouGov.

This is an online event that will be held on Microsoft Teams.
Audience
This event is invite-only and is open to Business in the Community Race Champions.

About this event
Join us for an exclusive Race Champions session offering an early preview of insights from the Race at Work 2025 Survey with YouGov, ahead of their public release in the Then, Now, Next 30th Anniversary Flagship Report in October.
We’ll also be sharing advance details of the Race at Work Charter Reset, developed in response to these insights and aligned with the 30th anniversary of BITC’s Race Equality Campaign.
This session is a chance to:

– Preview key trends and patterns emerging from the 2025 survey
– Understand the proposed direction of the Charter
– Share your reflections to help shape the next phase of the campaign

We encourage all Race Champions to attend and have an opportunity in shaping what comes next.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Annette.ettarh@bitc.org.uk, Business in the Community.
Joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Yorkshire Employee Networks Summit
2025-09-17 14:00 - 17:30 | Leeds
This event is run in partnership with Leeds Building Society.

This is an in-person event
Audience
This event is open to members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). It is open to Employee Network Chairs/Co-Chairs, DEI and HR Practitioners, Leaders, and Executive Network Sponsors. It is designed for everyone leading, involved in, working with, and/or supporting the work of Employee Networks.

Background
Employee networks play a crucial role in fostering inclusive workplace cultures and have become vital to organisation’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ambitions. They provide a platform for diverse voices and drive organisational change.
The Yorkshire Employee Networks Summit 2025 aims to empower those involved in these networks, offering insights, strategies, and connections to enhance their effectiveness.
Through conversations within BITC’s Yorkshire & Humber Regional Board, and Yorkshire & Humber ED&I network, there was an apparent need to bring together network leads from across the region, creating a space for exchange, collaboration, peer support, and best practice insights.

About the event
From fostering inclusivity, advancing diversity to driving innovation, advocacy and action, many organisations in the UK would not be where they are today if it wasn’t for the relentless and passionate work of employee networks.
The Yorkshire Employee Networks Summit 2025 is the premier gathering for professionals leading and supporting employee networks. It’s a celebration of the impact employee networks have had on workplaces from across the region.
Through tailored workshops and speaker panels, attendees will gain actionable insights from industry leaders, access the latest best practice, and network with peers. This forum will provide the space, tools and guidance to harness the full potential of employee networks.
We are offering two types of ticket for this event. We have limited capacity for the workshops however additional tickets are available for a 3:30pm arrival for the networking and panel session.
Panel Speakers include:

Chair: Ainslie Wilson-Shearer, Head of Diversity Inclusion & Wellbeing, Mills & Reeve LLP and Member of Business in the Community’s Yorkshire & Humber Regional Board
Tina Hughes, Director of Digital Channels, Yorkshire Building Society, Ethnicity Network Senior Leadership Team Sponsor, and Chair of Yorkshire Building Society’s DE&I Forum
Craig McNally, Colleague Experience Partner (DE&I Lead), Newcastle Building Society
Emily Bentley, Resident Wellbeing Officer, Anchor, and enABLE Network Member
Victoria Kenny, People Advisor, Leeds Building Society, Chair of LGBTQ+ Forum

Agenda
2pm: Arrival and networking
2.30pm: Welcome and move into workshops
2.45pm: Workshops
3.45: Break and networking
4pm: Panel and Q&A
4.45pm: Networking
5.30pm: Close

Workshops
If you book a ticket for the whole event, you will be able to pick one of the below workshops to attend:
Colleague Network Wellbeing: Embracing resilience in times of challenge
“Anyone who is interested in making change in the world also has to learn how to take care of himself, herself, themselves… it means that we’re able to bring our entire selves into the movement” – Angela Davis
Resilience in the face of challenge can be the make or break of an effective colleague network. Having the tools and resources to look after your wellbeing is as important as a clear plan for activity. Join colleagues from Leeds Building Society for an insightful and collaborative session which will pose the question of “How can I adapt in challenging situations to manage stress and prevent burnout?”.
Senior Sponsor Workshop: Championing Network Success
A thriving employee network needs more than passion—it needs powerful, visible support from the top. A committed Executive Sponsor is key to turning vision and purpose into impact.
Join BITC for an engaging, practical workshop designed specifically for Executive Sponsors. Gain clarity on your role, explore what effective sponsorship looks like, and understand how to align network goals with wider business strategy. Discover how your leadership can amplify employee voice and drive real change.
What we’ll cover:

Understanding the Executive Sponsor role and responsibilities

Strategic alignment and accountability

The power and purpose of executive sponsorship

Advocacy in action: what it means to truly champion a network

Scenario-based activity on active sponsorship

Turning insight into impact: Commit to Action

This session is designed to increase confidence—and unlock the full potential of employee networks

Refreshments
Refreshments will be provided.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Jenny.McLaren@bitc.org.uk, Event Manager, with 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

Solutions for the Future - Hiring, Reskilling and Upskilling the Region
2025-09-18 13:30 - 16:00 | George Street Walsall WS1
Are you a business leader, HR professional, educator, or policymaker passionate about building a stronger, more inclusive workforce? Join us for Hiring, Skilling and Upskilling the Region.

This is an in person event.
Audience
This event is open to both members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). We are keen to have social enterprises and SMEs at the event.

Join us for a dynamic morning of insight, collaboration, and action. This event brings together employers, educators, and community leaders to tackle the region’s most pressing employment and skills challenges—head-on.

🔍 Why Attend?
Creating meaningful employment is one of the most significant ways that businesses can support individuals to break out of poverty. A good job offers security, rights, a fair income and opportunities for personal development and progression. Yet, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds are far less likely to progress at work than their wealthier peers. For many low-income individuals, securing a job does not mean upward social mobility; but instead, remaining in a low-skill, low-pay cycle.

Discover how to hire inclusively, reskill effectively, and upskill strategically.
Learn from Business in the Community (BITC) and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) about regional strategies and national frameworks.
Explore local social mobility challenges and how your organisation can be part of the solution.
Connect with peers, training providers, and policymakers to spark new partnerships.

🎤 What to Expect:

Keynotes from national and regional leaders in employment and skills
Panel discussions on what’s working in the West Midlands
Interactive workshop on inclusive hiring and reskilling
Roundtable networking to share ideas and build collaborations

Whether you’re a small business or a large employer, this event will equip you with the tools, insights, and connections to make a real impact.
Download the full event agenda.

👥 Who Should Attend?

Employers and HR professionals
Local authorities and policymakers
Colleges, training providers, and educators
Community organisations and employment support services

Refreshments
Light refreshments will be served.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Andreea.Tudor@bitc.org.uk, Regional Lead 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 in the Community's Job Coaching Training
2025-09-24 09:30 - 13:30, 2025-12-03 13:30 - 16:30 | Online event
Mandatory training session for employees of BITC member organisations, volunteering on the Job Coaching programme.

Business in the Community’s Job Coaching programme
Business in the Community’s (BITC) job coaching programme aims to engage businesses across the UK to support jobseekers through a series of coaching sessions.
Our ambition is to help build an inclusive workforce by supporting people who face barriers to employment across the UK.

How does it work?
BITC comprehensively trains employee volunteers as coaches, providing them with all the necessary tools and resources.

Coaches are then matched with jobseekers to provide one-to-one support.
Coaches and jobseekers meet virtually for up to six, 60 minute sessions, usually 2-3 weeks apart.

Coaches and jobseekers benefit
Coaches help improve the skills, confidence and employment opportunities for the jobseeker while also enhancing their own skills and wellbeing.

Facilitated training workshop
In preparation for your role as coach and before we match you with a jobseeker, you will need to complete our three-hour online facilitated training workshop. Guidance and support are provided throughout the programme.

Outline of the event
Our training virtual sessions are designed to be interactive and engaging and are led by an experienced trainer. Please make sure you can access Teams for this session.
“Great content, good pace, enthusiastic delivery, good mix of content, clear explanations and answered all our questions.”
The training will cover the following;

Structure and content of the job coaching programme.
Understanding jobseeker’s circumstances and the barriers they face.
Safeguarding.
Coaching tools including; active listening, giving feedback, the GROW model and more.

Please note: you need to attend the full three hours. Please don’t book a training if you are not able to attend the whole session.
We look forward to welcoming you to the training and supporting you soon.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact coaching@bitc.org.uk if you have any questions about the Job Coaching programme or the training session itself.

Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out more about BITC’s Job Coaching programme.

Peer Learning Forum: Does positive impact outweigh the negative?
2025-09-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Online event
Join us to discuss how companies can strengthen their social impact to maintain trust and resilience as challenges arise.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams

Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members who have advisory in their membership package. Our Peer Learning Forums (PLF) are 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
After over 40 years of helping businesses understand the positive impact they can create in communities, BITC is starting to see a change in tide. Businesses are beginning to recognise that in these times of 2 x existential crises of the climate emergency and the AI industrial revolution, that it’s time to understand if the positive impact of the business for society and the environment outweighs the negative impact.
Whilst some business models are inherently designed to benefit wider stakeholder groups (social enterprises, co-ops and mutuals, employee-owned businesses), for others, ‘purpose’ has long been the measure of whether a business exists for reasons beyond making a few people rich. But ‘measure’ is a strong word. BITC has long believed that a purpose needs to be measurable against KPIs and metrics, yet few businesses have stepped up to this challenge [Anglian Water Services – Purpose Impact Assessment]. And yes, it is a big challenge, so in the shorter term, we’ve asked companies to understand the long-term, sustainable social impact of their activities instead of just measuring short-term inputs and outputs only. Yes, that’s also hard, but charities and governments have been doing it for over 30 years.
We’ve asked businesses to create a long-term, evidence-based social impact framework to complement their Net Zero framework. BITC members are rising to the challenge(Crown Workspace social impact strategy).
Join us at this Peer Learning Forum to discuss with BITC experts and colleagues from BITC member companies how we can understand the long-term social impact that companies are creating, providing a continued license to operate across a future that is only going to get tougher for employees and consumers.

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 and 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

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2025: Insights
2025-09-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join us to learn insights from The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2025.

This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). It will be of interest to applicants of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality, and diversity and inclusion practitioners/managers, HR/People/Talent management practitioners/managers, Heads of Diversity and inclusion and Heads of HR/People/Talent management.

Background
The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality is the UK’s most highly profiled and well-established listing of employers taking action to create more gender-equal workplaces.
Since 2011, the flagship award has aimed to recognise and celebrate the organisations who are embedding gender equality at all levels of their organisation and are proactively committed to dismantling barriers to progression to ensure all genders can thrive.
Despite the challenging external landscape, findings from The Times Top 50 insights report and this event illuminates best practice from applicants that are continuing to drive positive change. Areas for improvement will also be uncovered, inspiring and informing further actions.
BITC’s Gender Equality Campaign exists to maintain momentum and accelerate progress towards gender equity, future-proofing workplaces where inclusion and truly equal opportunity is no longer the exception but the rule.

About the event
This event will:
• Reveal the areas in which organisations are meeting their gender equality ambitions.
• Uncover areas where progress has stalled, and the further action that needs to be taken to overcome this.
• Provide best practice approaches and case studies from The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality.

Speakers
• Phillippa O’Connor, Chief People Officer, PwC UK
• Sal Kaabipour, DEI Project Lead- Global, Internal, National Grid
• Anna Sirmoglou, EUNA EDI Manager, Mott MacDonald

Booking, contact details and further information
• Contact events@bitc.org.uk 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: Wellbeing data and insights
2025-09-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Join us to discuss how a data-driven approach to wellbeing is vital in effecting positive change.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams
Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members who have advisory in their membership package. Our Peer Learning Forums (PLF) are 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. Wellbeing and inclusion practitioners, HR professionals and ERG leads will find this session particularly useful.

About the event
“What’s measured is treasured” and “what’s measured gets managed” are commonly used phrases in the world of responsible business. Why is it that so many organisations report difficulty in determining the right measurements to demonstrate the bottom-line benefits of a healthier and happier workforce? This session will present an ideal opportunity for BITC members to learn and share what data and insights are really shifting the dial.
BITC’s Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) takes a measurement lens and applies it to the whole of the Workwell Model, confirming its fundamental importance in today’s lean operating environment.

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 and 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

Cross Organisational Mentoring Circles 14th Cohort launch
2025-10-01 10:00 - 12:30 | Online event
An opportunity for participants of the Cross Organisational Circles 14th Cohort to meet their circles and learn more about the programme.

This is an online event taking place on MS Teams.

Audience
Only for participants in the 14th Cohort of Business in the Community (BITC)’s Cross-Organisational Mentoring Circles, including organisation D&I contacts, mentors and mentees.

Background
BITC’s Race at Work Cross Organisational Mentoring Circle (COMC) is a six-month mentoring programme that matches ethnically diverse mentees from a range of organisations, public, private, non-profit, into a circle. The circle is led by a mentor from another organisation, who is responsible for convening the meeting, agenda setting and imparting their experience.
The six-month programme includes monthly meetings and access to BITC’s network of guest mentors. These guest mentors deliver masterclasses on topics such as networking, relationship management, public speaking, and personal branding.

About the event
This webinar will introduce the programme to participants, who will hear from some of our alumni, and have the opportunity to connect to their mentoring circle for the first session.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Jessica Hart, Event Coordinator, 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

New Member Induction - October 2025
2025-10-02 14:00 - 15:30 | Online event
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 better understand BITC’s purpose, values and missions. It highlights the key elements and opportunities of BITC Membership. This webinar also provides a chance for attendees to share expected ambitions and challenges, as well as ask any questions to existing members about their personal experiences and how BITC has added value to their organisation.

Event details
This event will induct new members, and new contacts from current member companies, to BITC. Specific objectives for the event are for new BITC contacts to:

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 that – aligned to the Responsible Business Map.

Networking: To 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 Equality Campaign 30th Anniversary: Report Launch
2025-10-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
This webinar will profile the launch of the Then, Now Next Report.

This is an online event.
Audience
This is event is open to both members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). It would be of interest to anyone who has signed the Race at Work Charter or who participated in the ‘Leadership, employees and procurement’ YouGov survey, particularly leaders and Executive Sponsors for Race.

Background
2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the BITC Race Equality campaign. We will be sharing some fresh insights and updated evidence on trends linked to the Race at Work Charter captured within our most recent Leadership, Employees, and Procurement survey, with YouGov in June 2024. This new data fed into our Diverse and Inclusive Supply Chains Insights report and builds on the evidence gathered in our Race at Work Survey series (2015–2021), providing a deeper understanding of racial disparities, fairness and access to opportunities in UK workplaces.

About the event
BITC launched Race for Opportunity in 1995. The race campaign was supported by HM King Charles III and some of the most senior business leaders in the UK at that time. The BITC race equality campaign will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary milestone at this event. This webinar will profile the launch of the Then, Now Next Report telling the story of the race campaign founding, achievements over the last 30 years and the challenges ahead and vision of the key areas that are needed for the future.
This event will enable us to hear from senior business leaders, celebrate progress already made and include clear calls to action for the future underpinned with the 30 years of evidence gathered. You will hear directly from leaders about the issues will be grappling with to create a future that ensures that everyone’s talent is unleashed in the UK to contribute to the much-needed economic boost to the economy.

Speakers
Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Equality Director, BITC will be presenting and facilitating the conversation with:
Richard Iferenta, Partner and Vice Chair, KPMG, and BITC Race Leadership Team Chair
Parminder Kohli, Chair UK and EVP Sustainability & Carbon, Shell
Professor Ian Thomson, Professor (Teaching and Research) Accounting and Finance, School of Business, Chair in Accounting and Sustainability School of Business, Associate Dean Research, Dundee University
Nishi Mayor, Director of Employer Engagement & Partnerships, Youth Futures Foundation

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact events@bitc.org.uk 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

Opening Doors Surgery: Sheffield Employers
2025-10-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
This surgery offers Sheffield-based employers who have signed up to the Opening Doors campaign to gain insights and best-practice guidance.

This is an online event.
Audience
By invitation only for Sheffield-based Opening Doors Employers.

Background
Business in the Community’s (BITC) Opening Doors framework of evidence-based actions enables every employer, regardless of size or sector, to take part in the campaign and foster a culture of inclusive recruitment.
Following the Opening Doors launch in Sheffield in June, several organisations have signed up to the campaign from across the city. By unlocking inclusive recruitment, signatories are part of the journey to boost Sheffield’s productivity and economic growth, kick-starting long-term positive change. This initiative also directly supports the Pathways to Work programme, run by Sheffield City Council, helping economically inactive people into employment.

About the event
This surgery offers Sheffield-based employers who have signed up to the Opening Doors campaign to gain insights on actions under the Five Keys for Inclusive Recruitment framework and best-practice guidance. Employers will also learn about benefits, support and resources available as an Opening Doors signatory.
During this session, attendees will have the space to ask BITC questions about the campaign and its commitments. There will also be an opportunity to interact, share learnings and exchange ideas with fellow Opening Doors employers from Sheffield.
Guest speakers

Ola Kolade, Employment & Skills Campaign Director, Business in the Community
Peter Slack, Strategic Support Coordinator, Sheffield City Council
Becky Hopewell, Development Manager, Sheffield City Council

Agenda

10am – Welcome and driving action with Opening Doors
10:10am – Building on local opportunities – Sheffield Council
10:20am – Group discussion
10:55am – Closing remarks

About Opening Doors
Opening Doors is Business in the Community’s (BITC) flagship inclusive recruitment campaign. Open to all employers, and free to join, we have an ambition to make 2 million jobs more accessible to diverse talent by supporting employers to make changes to the way they recruit.
Business in the Community has created a simple framework to guide businesses through their inclusive recruitment journey. It identifies 25 actions grouped into the 5 keys to inclusive recruitment. Businesses are asked to identify at least three actions that they will implement during the campaign.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Jenny.McLaren@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

Coventry Community Dinner
2025-10-09 18:00 - 20:30 | Coventry
Join business, public and voluntary sector leaders in painting a picture of Coventry today and your hopes for its future.

This is an in-person event.

Audience
Attendance is by invitation only. Number of places is limited.

About the event
Bringing together leaders from both business and the community, this special event is being kindly hosted by Feeding Coventry, a community focused charity providing food, advocacy and support to local people. Join us for an opportunity to learn from and network with likeminded individuals, committed to a vision for the future of Coventry,
Our Pride of Place work harnesses the power of the Business in the Community (BITC) network, combining our expertise in creating opportunities and driving place-based regeneration with the skills and resources of our members to make a meaningful impact on local communities.
Attendees will be joined by a group of senior business leaders participating in The King’s Seeing is Believing Visit, led by Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, Chief Executive Officer, UK&I, Salesforce.
The visit will explore the interconnected challenges faced by Coventry’s communities and examine how businesses can play a pivotal role in fostering inclusive growth and opportunity for all.

Refreshments
Networking reception followed by community dinner

About The King’s Seeing is Believing Programme
The King’s Seeing is Believing programme, established in 1990 with His Majesty King Charles III as our Royal Founding Patron, was born from a simple but powerful belief that the best way to close the gap between the boardroom and the community was to take business leaders out into the communities themselves. He understood that the power of the visits was not just in seeing and believing but also in how to turn that experience into ‘doing’.
Over 25,000 business leaders have taken part in visits, each designed to show the unique contribution business can make when working in partnership with others on an issue or in a community. By thinking strategically about the implications for their business, the visit gives a different understanding of the long-term impact and benefit that can be delivered for both business and communities.
This programme is kindly supported by Salesforces and Linklaters LLP.
L earn more about The King’s Seeing in Believing Programme

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Diana Abad, Engagement Manager at diana.abad@bitc.org.uk 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

Peer Learning Forum: Cross-Cultural Awareness
2025-10-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Join us to discuss the power of cross-cultural conversations and how they help shape inclusive, collaborative, and successful workplaces.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams
Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members with advisory services included in their membership package can participate in our Peer Learning Forums (PLF). These forums, hosted by our issue experts, are open to all members with advisory services and take place 20 times a year. They cover a variety of responsible business topics and provide opportunities for members to discuss challenges, solutions, and ideas. HR, D&I, and Wellbeing practitioners in particular will find these sessions beneficial.

About the event
This Peer Learning Forum will bring members together to examine the relevance of cross-cultural understanding in today’s world and what workplaces can do to foster cultural inclusion within their workforces.
One year on from anti-immigration riots that tore through more than 20 places across Britain – from Sunderland in northeast England and Manchester in the northwest, to Plymouth in the southwest and Belfast in Northern Ireland, many of the protests have involved a few hundred people targeting migrants or Muslims within communities.
To raise awareness and build understanding of the strategic importance of cross-cultural communication in today’s diverse workplace, this session will demonstrate why it is essential to invest in developing these skills to foster inclusion, improve collaboration, and drive business success.
In a workforce that spans nationalities, ethnicities, generations, and lived experiences, it’s important to prepare employees to navigate these complexities. In a fireside chat, we’ll speak with Marks & Spencer’s BITC Inclusion and Wellbeing Adviser to explore the steps M&S has taken to increase awareness of the value of cultural understanding in everyday communication.
Speaker

Amy Thabethe, Inclusion and Wellbeing Advisor, Business in the Community

Why Attend?

Understand the critical role DEI benchmarks and indices play in evaluating and advancing DEI performance.
Discover the range of benchmarks and indices available, and explore their respective strengths and limitations.
Gain real-world insights into how organisations have leveraged these tools to create long-term value.
Learn how BITC members have engaged colleagues and senior leaders in the process.
Take part in a Q&A with guest speakers, and enjoy opportunities for networking and peer knowledge sharing.

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 and 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

Workwell Self-Assessment Tool Two-Year Anniversary
2025-10-16 10:30 - 11:30 | Online
Join us to share wellbeing insights and celebrate two years of learning from member organisations using the Workwell Self-Assessment Tool.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams
Audience
This event is open to members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). It will be of interest to HR, people and talent professionals, wellbeing and inclusion practitioners/managers, senior leaders responsible for workplace wellbeing, and any organisation looking to improve the impact of their wellbeing strategy.

About the event
This event will bring together BITC’s latest analysis of SAT data with insight from organisations who have put the tool into practice. By combining trends and evidence with case studies and practical examples, attendees will gain both a high-level understanding of the wellbeing landscape and practical steps to apply in their own organisations. The discussion will highlight both the opportunities and challanges across both larger organisations and SMEs, demonstrate the value of cross-sector learning, and provide inspiration for turning insights into action. This event will:
• Share the latest wellbeing insights from two years of the Workwell SAT.
• Highlight trends and challenges across organisations of different sizes and sectors.
• Hear directly from three organisations (to be announced) on how they have used the SAT to shape their wellbeing strategy and implementation.
• Provide practical tips and actions that attendees can take forward in their own organisations.

Background
Launched in 2023, the Workwell Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) is a free resource helping organisations benchmark and improve their approach to employee wellbeing. In its first two years, over two hundred organisations have completed the SAT, creating unique insights into workplace wellbeing maturity.
This anniversary event will share new findings, highlight progress, and explore where further action is needed. Organisations, from a range of sectors, will share how the SAT has shaped their wellbeing journeys, from cultural shifts to practical actions.
BITC’s Workwell model exists to support businesses in accelerating progress and embedding employee wellbeing within the culture.
Confirmed event speakers include:

Sally Baines, Director of People Experience, OVO
Dr Chris Tomkins, Head of Organisational Health & Wellbeing, Square Health

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Annette.Ettarh@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

Scaling a just transition: Creating a Future Ready Economy report launch
2025-10-20 18:30 - 20:00 | London SW1A 0AA
A drinks reception launching our report on how to scale up a ‘just transition’ to support climate resilience, growth and jobs across the UK.

This is an in person event.
Audience
This event is by invitation only. If you have not received an invitation but would like to attend, please get in touch to express your interest. Priority will be given to those who have contributed to the research behind the report.

About the Event
Join us at the House of Commons to mark the launch of Business in the Community’s report setting out how a just transition to a net zero, climate resilient future could support lasting prosperity across the UK. The event will highlight how government and business can work together to harness action on climate and nature to deliver a brighter future for people and communities.

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

Peer Learning Forum: The role of line managers in Wellbeing and Inclusion
2025-10-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Online event
Join us to discuss how to enable line managers to support wellbeing, inclusion and engagement in your organisation.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams
Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members who have advisory in their membership package. Our Peer Learning Forums (PLF) are 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 session in particular is aimed at line managers, EDI, HR and Wellbeing professionals who are working to embed effective, inclusive and compassionate leadership across their organisations.

Background
It’s often said that employees join organisations but leave managers. Line managers play a pivotal role in shaping the everyday experiences of their teams – yet their impact on both wellbeing and inclusion is frequently underestimated.
Today, line management is sometimes seen as a distraction from the “real job” rather than a core leadership responsibility. This shift has created gaps in capability, confidence, and consistency – particularly when it comes to supporting diverse needs and wellbeing.
Managers are often the first point of contact when employees face challenges, but they may not always feel prepared to respond – especially when navigating sensitive or complex issues. These can include menopause, neurodivergence, mental health concerns, bullying and harassment, inappropriate behaviours, cultural misunderstandings, or identity-related microaggressions.
Without the right support, managers may feel unsure about how to act, what to say, or where to escalate concerns—leading to missed opportunities for early intervention and inclusive leadership.
BITC’s Workwell Model and Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) highlight the importance of line managers in modelling inclusive behaviours and creating a culture of wellbeing.
About the event
This peer learning forum will bring together BITC members to explore how organisations are enabling line managers to lead with empathy, equity, and inclusion. We’ll discuss practical strategies, share lived experiences and identify opportunities to build consistency and confidence in line manager capability across the employee lifecycle.
Speakers to include:

Harry Dean, Head of Learning & Development, Southern Water

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 and 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

Business Response Forum: Rising Anti-Immigrant Sentiment & Racism in the UK
2025-10-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Online event
In response to a growing climate of anti-immigrant sentiment, BITC is hosting a one-hour, confidential, online forum for member businesses.

About the event
In response to a growing climate of anti-immigrant sentiment, protests and racially motivated incidents across the UK, Business in the Community (BITC) is hosting a one-hour, confidential online listening forum.
This space is designed for members to come together to:

Share lived experiences, emerging concerns and organisational dilemmas grounded in the current societal environment
Reflect on how these dynamics are affecting employee wellbeing, sense of belonging, community relations, and external stakeholder expectations
Explore how businesses can respond with a values-led approach in a proactive and compassionate way
Inform BITC’s ongoing guidance and support for members navigating this turbulent landscape

To ensure open and candid conversation, the discussion will not be recorded and will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule.
During the session, participants will:

Hear a short framing by Shannon Rivers, Director of Inclusion & Wellbeing Advisory, BITC on the current landscape and risks
Participate in breakout group discussion facilitated by Inclusion & Wellbeing Advisers to enable peer learning and honest sharing
Report back key themes, challenges and ideas to the full group
Contribute anonymously to shaping BITC’s next steps for member guidance and support

This is a unique opportunity to test ideas, learn from peers, and galvanise collective momentum for inclusive, rights-respecting responses. Participants are invited to the session with their honest, respectful, and constructive contributions.

Background
These developments are not distant headline issues, they are playing out in communities, media discourse, local politics, and public spaces, with real implications for workplaces and people’s lived experiences.

Employees with immigrant or minoritised backgrounds may feel heightened anxiety, insecurity or threat in their work and home lives.
Businesses may risk reputational harm if they are perceived as silent or complicit.
Organisations may face internal tension over how to balance freedom of speech, safety, inclusion, and respect.
The broader social climate can influence talent attraction, retention, and community trust.

As a responsible business network, BITC believes that in such times, companies have a responsibility to show leadership, stand for inclusion, and support those affected.
Our commitment
BITC stands firmly against racism, xenophobia, and discrimination of any form. We are committed to providing support, resources, and a listening ear to our members in challenging times. The insights from this forum will directly inform our advisory services, toolkits, and future member programming.
We encourage member organisations to attend and participate: your voice and experience matter.

Audience
This event is open to BITC Member organisations, HR, EDI, Wellbeing Managers, Inclusion Practitioners, Wellbeing Practitioners. Registrations are limited to two places per organisation.

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

Senior Leaders Breakfast - November
2025-11-06 08:00 - 09:30 | London
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 senior leaders.

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 Senior Leaders Breakfast events.

These informal private discussions over breakfast, will form a key part of the national conversation initiated by BITC’s State of the Nation 2025 report, which details 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 senior leaders 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 to the world.

About the event

There is no doubt that Responsible AI is high on the agenda for today’s business leaders. As AI continues to grow in influence across all sectors, there is a significant risk that parts of our society and local communities may be left behind. From automating routine tasks to revolutionising healthcare and transforming customer experiences, AI is poised to reshape the future of work and life. However, with such power comes immense responsibility and business must ensure that AI is used in ways that are ethical, inclusive and sustainable.

To that end, please join us for a thought-provoking discussion where we will hear from Dr. Franny Hsiao, EMEA Leader AI Architects, Salesforce, who will share her view on the future of AI, ethical considerations and how we can ensure a fair and inclusive digital transition.

Refreshments

Breakfast will be served.

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact the Events Team 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

Tackling the energy bills problem for community organisations
2025-11-13 09:45 - 14:00 | Bradford BD7 3NR
This event will explore the different ways for community organisations to reduce their energy bills.

This is an in-person event
Audience
Community leaders, anyone who runs a community organisation with premises in Bradford.

Background
Business in the Community is a responsible business charity, bringing together businesses and communities to create lasting positive impact for people in places. Our environment work seeks to build strong connections by solving the challenges of today and create resilience by future proofing our communities, leaders, and systems. This event is part of one strand of this work, becoming a building block for community resilience in Bradford and beyond.

About the event
This event will explore the different ways for community organisations to reduce their energy bills. We will look at what can be done to a building to make it cheaper to run, how to engage staff and visitors to keep waste energy to a minimum, how to understand your energy consumption, and what funding to look out for to help. The event will be interactive, bringing together community leaders and industry experts to discuss the challenges you face. By the end of the event you will have a clearer picture of what can be done to bring your running costs down. There will be time for lunch and networking so you can build new connections that will support you along the way.
Agenda

9:45 – 10:30 Arrival and Registration
10:30 – 10:50 Introductions with Business in the Community
10:50 – 11:15 Water scarcity & consumption with Business Stream
11:15 – 11:40 Understanding and tracking energy use with Groundwork Yorkshire
11:40 – 11:55 Break
11:55 – 12:35 Building fabric improvements with Great Horton Cricket Club, TSB Bank and Hubbub
12:35 – 13:00 Engaging building users with Northern Gas Networks
13:00 – 13:45 Lunch
13:45 – 2:00 Wrap up with Business in the Community

Refreshments
The event will include a networking lunch.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Jenny.McLaren@bitc.org.uk, Event Manager, with 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

Race at Work Charter Reset Surgery
2025-11-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Join this event to learn more about the Race at Work Charter Reset, what it means for your organisation, and what actions you can take.

Audience
This event is open to members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). These surgeries benefit anyone wishing to start or build on their organisation’s commitment to the Race at Work Charter.

Background
The Race at Work Charter Reset Surgeries are a chance for attendees to connect directly with Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Equality Director at BITC, to ask questions and explore how to make the most of the Charter Reset.
The Race at Work Charter Reset will reflect the latest insights from the Race at Work 2025 YouGov Survey and current workplace realities, with updates to three key commitments:

Commitment 1: Leaders and employers take action to support young people’s pathways into good work and enterprise.
Commitment 6: Support employees to progress from allyship to solidarity.
Commitment 7: Include Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse-led small business, founders and enterprise owners in supply chains.

Following the Charter reset on 7th October, these sessions will focus on the three pillars of the Charter Reset:
Reset – become or continue as a Charter signatory and refresh your organisation’s focus on race equality and fairness.
Commit – unlock talent by supporting young people’s pathways into good work and enterprise, progressing from allyship to solidarity and embedding inclusive procurement and diverse supply chains through tools such as our Inclusive Procurement Maturity Model (IPMM).
Inspire – take action, report progress, and share your organisation’s success stories.

About the webinar
This interactive surgery will:

Walk you through the Race at Work Charter Reset and what it means for your organisation.
Deep dive into Commitments 1, 6, and 7, exploring practical actions to support young people’s pathways into good work, build solidarity in the workplace, and champion diverse suppliers and fair procurement processes such as fair and prompt payment.
Highlight how to use Race at Work 2025 Survey insights to guide your next steps and measure progress.
Provide space to ask questions, share challenges, and hear from peers about effective approaches.

About the Race at Work Charter
The Race at Work Charter Reset sets out seven commitments for employers to drive fairness and equality so that Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse employees are represented at all levels of an organisation.
Charter Reset Commitments:

Leaders and employers take action to support young people’s pathways into good work and enterprise.
Capture ethnicity data and publicise progress.
Commit at board level to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying.
Inclusive leaders and managers ensure fair and equitable access to opportunities and development for everyone in their teams.
Inclusive leaders take action that supports Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse employee career progression.
Support employees to progress from allyship to solidarity.
Include Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse-led small business, founders and enterprise owners in supply chains.

Business in the Community’s work on race equality
For 30 years, BITC has worked with employers to ensure all employees feel they belong, have a voice, are valued, and can be their true selves.
We know that inclusive and fair workplaces are key to unlocking productivity and performance. Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse staff still experience disparities in recruitment, retention, and progression. The Race in the Workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review highlighted the £24bn annual economic boost possible by tackling racial inequalities. Insights from the Race at Work surveys continue to shape our work, ensuring organisations benefit from the widest possible talent pool and a more inclusive future of work. 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. The charter now has more than 1100 signatories and our Race at Work surveys continue to shape the charter.
Find out more about BITC’s work on race equality.

Booking, contact details and further information

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

Peer Learning Forum: COP30 – Meeting our 2030 climate goals
2025-11-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Online event
Join us to discuss how UK businesses can move from ambition to action and play a decisive role in shaping this phase of the transition.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams

Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members, as well as non-members who have an advisory package with us. 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
As the world gathers in Brazil for COP30, this pivotal year marks a major milestone in the global climate agenda — all nations will have submitted their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), setting the course for collective progress towards our 2030 targets.
Join us for a virtual discussion on how UK businesses can move from ambition to action and play a decisive role in shaping this phase of the transition.

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 and 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

Keep Britain Working Review Launch Discussion
2025-11-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Online
Business in the Community is delighted to host a review launch discussion in partnership with the review’s authors, exclusively for members.

About the event
Following the launch of the Keep Britain Working review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, former Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, Business in the Community is delighted to host a Review Launch Discussion in partnership with the review’s authors, exclusively for our members.
This session offers BITC members a unique opportunity to hear directly from those involved in leading the review, gain first-hand insight into the recommendations, and explore how your organisation can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of workplace health and wellbeing through the first stage of implementation. It’s also a chance to position your organisation as a visible leader in driving national reform in this critical space.
Business in the Community’s Leadership Teams – alongside our Wellbeing and Education, Employment and Skills campaigns – have supported shaping the review, drawing on nearly two decades of evidence-based leadership in workplace wellbeing. We anticipate this to be a defining moment for the UK’s approach to workplace wellbeing – ushering in bold, forward-looking change.
Keep Britain Working is an independent review, commissioned by the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade in November 2024, to explore the role of employers in tackling health based economic inactivity and promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces.

Audience
This event is open to BITC Member organisations. This event is designed for senior leaders, and is also highly relevant for HR, wellbeing, and ED&I professionals who want to stay ahead of emerging trends and help shape the future of work.
Places are limited to two people per organisation.

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

Opening Doors to Good Work: Partnerships to support early talent
2025-11-26 09:00 - 12:30 | London
Join Business in the Community (BITC) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) for an energising event on opening doors to early talent.

This is an in-person event
Audience
This event is open to members and non-members of BITC and designed for HR Directors, HR Managers, Responsible Business leads, EDI Leads.

Background
Opening Doors is BITC’s flagship inclusive recruitment campaign. Free and open to all employers, the campaign aims to make 2 million jobs more accessible by building a supporting network of businesses committed to fair and inclusive hiring.
The Mayor’s Good Work Standard aims to improve working lives for Londoners by bringing together best employment practice, setting the benchmark for excellent employment practices and helping businesses support and value their staff.

About the event
If the UK was made up of 100 employers, 22 would close their doors to disabled people, 35 would close their doors to school leavers and 55 would close their doors to ex-offenders. For employers, opening their doors to diverse talent and creating inclusive workplaces creates social and economic value.
Inclusive recruitment is more than a moral imperative; it’s a strategic business priority. Good jobs and inclusive working environments significantly improve staff retention and performance. Yet only 1 in 8 employers have recruitment, training or retention strategies for young people under 25 years old (British Chamber of Commerce).
As part of Good Employment Week, Business in the Community and the Greater London Authority are hosting an event for Employers, HR, Inclusion and Recruitment professionals who want to understand how to build effective partnerships to attract and retain untapped future talent.
At the event, we will hear from the Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth on London’s Inclusive Talent Strategy ambitions, share BITC’s Opening Doors Progress Report 2025 findings, host an employer panel to highlight leading practice. Attendees will take part in breakout sessions facilitated by expert organisations such as Youth Employment UK, LTSB, Generation UK and GoodWork. Sessions will include youth voices to ensure lived experience and diverse perspectives are heard. The facilitated sessions will focus on ‘what works’ in creating impactful partnerships. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and connect with expert partnership organisations in a ‘marketplace’ zone.
Confirmed speakers include:

Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, GLA
Ola Kolade, Employment and Skills Director, BITC
Anastasia Fernandes, Head of Supply Chain and Operations, Ingeus

Evelina Ditkute, Social Impact Talent Acquisition Lead, Sodexo

Shaquil Leurs, Former Business in the Community Intern

Refreshments
The event will include light refreshments

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact events@bitc.org.uk with 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

Peer Learning Forum: Future proofing your business to 2050
2025-11-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Online event
Join us to discuss the future outlook and how to prepare the business for the future, whatever that holds.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams

Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members, as well as non-members who have an advisory package with us. 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
Responsible business is about looking ahead, planning for the unplannable and ensuring that you’re ready to stay in business, continuing to provide good work to employees and good products and services to customers long into the future. However, the paradigms are shifting, a Net Zero economy where robots and AI hold all the jobs, seems like something out of a film rather than reality, but times they are a changing and businesses need to be prepared for seismic shifts over shorter periods of time. The previous industrial revolutions happened across centuries, whilst this one is happening in a decade (if that?!)
BITC frameworks built on member company experiences, regulations and leading practice consider megatrends, risks and opportunities and responsible decision making and innovation to support companies to prepare and pivot. In these times of uncertainty and major global change, is it even possible to future proof your business to 2050? Well, we hope so. Join BITC member companies to discuss the future outlook and how to prepare the business for the future, whatever that holds.

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 and 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

AI, inclusion and Wellbeing Champion Forum
2025-12-02 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Join us for an exclusive Business in the Community Wellbeing and Inclusion Champion Forum on AI.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams.

Audience
This event is invite-only and is open to Business in the Community Wellbeing Champions.

Background
As artificial intelligence becomes a growing priority for many businesses, this session offers an opportunity to explore cutting-edge thinking and research on its implications for employees with disabilities.
Regardless of your organisation’s maturity or current use of AI technologies, research has estimated 92 million jobs are projected to be displaced by 2030.
Disabled employees already experience disproportionate marginalisation and barriers to accessing good work, an inequity at risk of rising without responsible AI adoption.
About the event
An exclusive BITC Wellbeing and Inclusion Champion Forum on AI With Dr. Daniel Wheatley, Director of the Work Inclusivity Research Centre, University of Birmingham.
BITC’s Director for Inclusion and Wellbeing, Kirstene Hair will host this event that will:

Provide an update on BITC’s Wellbeing and Inclusion Campaigns
Invite Daniel Wheatley to share his expertise and research from the AI-EMPOWERED project
Facilitate a Q&A discussion amongst champion members and expert speakers to share where we all are with AI, what we need help with in order to pool expertise and support each other
Wrap up with best practice and learning on how we can better to support people in the AI era

Booking, contact details and further information

Contact Annette Ettarh, 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

CEO Breakfast – December
2025-12-03 08:00 - 09:30 | London
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 senior leaders.

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 Senior Leaders Breakfast events.

About the event

These informal, private discussions over breakfast will form a key part of the national conversation initiated by BITC’s State of the Nation 2025 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 breakfasts in the coming months, to join another date instead, click here.

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

Peer Learning Forum: Ensuring your social impact remains inclusive
2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Online event
Join us to discuss how to build on your current social impact interventions to ensure they are as inclusive and impactful as possible.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams
Audience
Business in the Community (BITC) members, as well as non-members who have an advisory package with us. 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
By 2030, a quarter of the UK’s workforce will come from ethnically diverse backgrounds (UK Census 2021) and 48% of ethnically diverse young people experience discrimination when seeking work (Youth Futures Discrimination and Work Report, 2024). They don’t just face discrimination at work of course, with rising anti-immigrant sentiment and racism in the UK, its more important than ever to make sure that social impact interventions are reaching the hardest to reach communities and are co-designed with these communities in mind to make substantive, long term change. Join us at this peer learning forum to discuss with other BITC member companies how to build on your current social impact interventions, to ensure they are as inclusive as possible and are creating the impact you seek to achieve.
Speakers include:

Kate Carr, Senior Manager, Employer Engagement & Partnerships, Youth Futures Foundation

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 and 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
