Opening Doors to Good Work: Partnerships to support early talent
2025-11-26 09:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | 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

Business in the Community's Job Coaching Training
2025-12-03 13:30 - 16:30, 2026-01-12 09:30 - 12:30, 2026-01-26 09:30 - 12:30 | 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: 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

AGM 2025: Driving Impact and Growth
2025-12-09 09:30 - 10:00 | Online
At the AGM, you will receive updates on our performance for the previous year and our goals for 2026.

This is a virtual event.

Audience
The AGM is open to Business in the Community (BITC) members only.

About the event
As the year draws to a close, we are reflecting on the year we’ve had at Business in the Community and how we continue to position responsible business as the foundation of economic growth.
Join us for our AGM on Tuesday 9 December for a short update and to celebrate the impact we’ve had in places, on key social issues, our member success stories, and the insights we’ve learnt over the past 12 months.
In addition, we will share our upcoming plans to convene, campaign and consult on people, planet and place.

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

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2026: Information Session
2026-01-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join us to learn more about The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2026.

Audience
This event is open to members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC).

Background
The UK’s most highly profiled and well-established listing of employers taking action to create more gender-equal workplaces, the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality has been driving awareness and impact on this agenda for over 15 years.
Entering the award provides a unique opportunity for your current policies and approach to be reviewed by independent advisers who offer expert advice, benchmark against industry leaders and provide 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 to timestop50@bitc.org.uk.

About the event
Join our online event to hear from a Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality about how their organisation values this recognition and drives progress towards gender equality. This session will also give organisations the opportunity to learn more about the awards process and have their questions answered by the BITC team.
In this session, you will learn:

What the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality is, and how leading organisations use it to drive continued progress on gender equity
Insights from a previous Top 50 employer, followed by a live Q&A session
Key information and timelines for the 2026 application process
Overview of the support and feedback available to help strengthen your submission
What’s new for the 2026 awards

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

Championing Responsible Business in Scotland
2026-01-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Edinburgh EH9 1SP
Celebrating the difference we are making together, with networking and the chance to shape the future of responsible business in Scotland.

This is an-in person event
Audience
Attendance is by invitation only and will be BITC Members and partners – Senior leaders committed to advancing responsible business across Scotland.

About the event
This reception offers an opportunity to celebrate collective impact, network with peers, and contribute to shaping the future of responsible business in Scotland.
Delegates will hear from inspiring speakers, engage in an interactive pledging session, and explore BITC’s key focus areas including in-work poverty, economic inactivity, and just transition. The event provides a unique opportunity to connect with BITC’s leadership network and influence the next phase of collaborative business action

Background
With rising levels of in-work poverty, regional inequalities, and economic inactivity, businesses have a vital role to play in driving inclusive growth. This reception invites attendees to reflect on their collective impact and explore how responsible business can shape a fairer, greener future—particularly through action on In-Work Poverty, the Glasgow Place programme, Aberdeen Just Transition project, and tackling economic inactivity with Scotland’s public sector.
Speakers
Speakers for Championing Responsible Business in Scotland include:

Daniel Johnson MSP, Scottish Parliament
Judith Cruickshank, Managing Director, Commercial Mid-Market Scotland, NatWest Group, Chair of BITC Scotland Leadership Board.
Kieran Harding, Acting Chief Executive, BITC

Refreshments
Canapes and refreshments

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Annette.Ettarh@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

Peer Learning Forum: Making your charitable investment go further
2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Online event
Join us to explore how to make smarter, more strategic decisions that benefit both your business and society.

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
UK businesses are giving billions to good causes every year, but are those investments achieving the greatest possible impact? With corporate giving under scrutiny and budgets tighter than ever, now is the time to pause and reflect on how we approach charitable investment. We need strategies that ensure every pound creates measurable value for both society and your business.
Recent research shows that while UK businesses donated an estimated £4.2 billion in 2024, 75% of companies gave nothing at all, (Corporate Giving Report 2025 | CAF) and overall giving has declined in real terms despite rising profits. (What has happened to corporate giving and what can be done about it?)
At the same time, employee volunteering and engagement are on the rise, signalling a shift in how businesses contribute to social impact. With increasing pressure to make charitable investments count, the question is clear: how can we deliver maximum impact with increasingly limited resources? FTSE 100 firms’ charitable donations fall by 34% in a decade, research finds
Join us at this peer learning forum to connect with other BITC member companies facing the same challenges. Together, we’ll explore how to make smarter, more strategic decisions that benefit both your business and society.
Speakers:

Lucy Nutt, Senior Environment and Community Impact Manager, Culture & Brand, Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP
Melanie Vaxevanakis, Managing Director & Founder of The Mazi Project

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 in the Community’s Member Conference 2026
2026-01-28 10:30 - 17:00 | London NW1 2BJ
This is a member-only event. Places are limited to two attendees per organisation. If you would like to bring additional colleagues, please email events@bitc.org.uk to join the waiting list.

Talent Unlocked Workshop: Navigating the Employer Survey
2026-02-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join us to understand the Talent Unlocked survey and identify actions that improve early career opportunities.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams

Audience
This event is open to members and non-members and would particularly benefit Race at Work Charter Signatories, prospective Talent Unlocked employers, HR professionals, Early Careers Practitioners, D&I practitioners, L&D teams, social impact leads, and line managers supporting young employees.

About the event
As part of our Talent Unlocked partnership with Youth Futures Foundation, this practical session will support employers to complete the Unlocking Talent Together: Employer Engagement Survey, a core element of becoming a Talent Unlocked employer.
The survey helps organisations reflect on how they currently support ethnically diverse young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), and identifies opportunities to strengthen early career pathways. It covers key areas including work experience, apprenticeships, safety and reporting processes, employability skills, skills development, and line manager support.
This workshop will help you understand the structure of the survey, the intention behind each question. You will gain clarity on where information sits internally, how to approach gathering insights, and how the survey can support your organisation’s early talent priorities.

What you will learn
A clear understanding of the survey structure – walk-through of the core survey themes
How to approach each question with confidence – guidance on each question
Which internal teams may need to contribute – clarity on which functions typically hold the information needed
Examples of good practice – examples to inspire your thinking on effective approaches
How the survey supports your journey as a Talent Unlocked employer – through benchmarking, future planning and helping to informing future work

Why attend?
This workshop is ideal for organisations that:
· want clarity on how to complete the survey effectively
· want to strengthen their early career pathways
· are exploring becoming a Talent Unlocked employer

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

Building a Sustainable Pride of Place Partnership
2026-02-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join BITC and learn from leading UK-wide place-makers to help you to unlock long-term impact in your Place.

This is a virtual event.
Audience
Open to all.
The primary audience is the existing Pride of Place Network, particularly stakeholders involved in Places that have been in operation for less than 3 years.
Secondary audiences include: All existing PoP Board Members and partners; All BITC members; PoP Prospects; Other interested businesses, local/combined authorities and voluntary organisations; charitable funders and thought leaders.

About the event
Building a sustainable Pride of Place Partnership requires dedication, strong leadership, and a commitment to working alongside a diverse range of community stakeholders to drive lasting impact.
This interactive BITC webinar will support newer Pride of Place partners to learn from peers and explore strategies that can unlock sustainable change in their places. It will also offer stakeholders who are new to Pride of Place a clear introduction to the approach and a practical starting point for their placemaking journey.

Event details
A panel of business leaders from across BITC’s Pride of Place Network will reflect on their experiences on charting a sustainable path for their Place, focused on:

Building an effective cross-sector Board to drive meaningful change

Developing a long-term strategy, vision, and goals for your Place

Engaging a diverse network of stakeholders to help power your Place’s future growth

Making a compelling case for your Place with funders, new businesses, and other supporters

Background
BITC’s Pride of Place programme helps places across the UK take ownership of their futures and tackle their most pressing challenges. It brings the private, public, and voluntary sectors together to build and deliver a vision for their future that serves everyone, with input from everyone. To date, Pride of Place has worked with over 75 partner businesses to make an impact in 18 places across the UK.
Attendees will be introduced to the Pride of Place Learning Hub (supported by Aviva, Pride of Place Strategic Partner) a free learning resource designed to help guide you on your Placemaking journey.

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

Opening Doors Forum: Leading with Inclusion
2026-02-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join our next Opening Doors Forum to share challenges 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). The event will be designed for HR Managers, Talent acquisition leads, EDI and Responsible business 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 supported network of businesses committed to fair and inclusive hiring. So far, 160+ employers are making 1.65m jobs more accessible. Join our campaign.

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 creates social and economic value. BITC’s Opening Doors 2025 Progress report highlights that 72% of signatories are making their workforce more diverse, 64% are filling hard-to-fill vacancies and 53% are closing skills gaps – demonstrating the impact of employers sharing and learning together to improve outcomes. In 2026, the Opening Doors Forums will focus on each of the ‘Five Keys to Opening Doors’. Following on from our last Opening Doors Event on Partnership working (Key one), our next forum will be on ‘Showing your commitment to inclusion (Key two).
Join us for a practical session on how to:

Show candidates that inclusion truly matters to your organisation.

Share job roles through a wider range of channels.

Engage your employees on your inclusive recruitment approach.

Communicate your values and approach through diverse role models in an authentic way.

Event speaker:

Hannah Short, Inclusion & Diversity Manager, People Division, Leeds Building Society

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 Jessica.hart@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

Business in the Community's Job Coaching Training
2026-02-17 09:30 - 12:30, 2026-03-19 09:30 - 12:30 | Online
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.

New Member Induction- February 2026
2026-02-24 10:30 - 12:00 | 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 Jessica Hart, 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

Peer Learning Forum: Pay Transparency
2026-02-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Online event
This PLF outlines legal duties and best practices on pay transparency under the EU Directive to help reduce Europe’s gender pay gap.

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams
Audience
We are pleased to welcome 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.
This event will be of particular interest to HR and EDI professionals.

About the event
From June 2026, organisations with employees in an EU member state will need to comply with the EU Pay Transparency Directive, which requires gender pay gap reporting and other pay transparency measures.
Find out more about the Directive, its implications for UK businesses (whether required to comply with the Directive or not) and how you can gain competitive advantage in the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce through a transparent and equitable approach to compensation.
Our event speakers include:

Deepinder Lamba, Deloitte. Deepinder is a Partner in Deloitte’s Reward practice and leads their Pay Equity & Transparency proposition for Europe. Deepinder is a seasoned Transformation and Change expert with a 27+ year track record of delivering value to clients by leading and executing complex, large-scale transformation programs. His passion lies in collaborating with organisations to define a compelling vision and purpose for their future, fostering enthusiasm, and driving unwavering commitment to achieve their strategic goals.
Meera Roy-Chowdhury, Deloitte. A former BITC inclusion adviser, Meera has over a decade’s experience helping organisations design fair, inclusive, and transparent reward and culture strategies. Currently she is focused on advising companies on the EU Pay Transparency Directive, turning compliance into an opportunity for stronger equity, trust, and engagement.

Background
BITC believes that UK businesses have the power and responsibility to progress gender equality. We advocate pay transparency as part of our eight-step route map to gender equality. However, Our Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality Insights Report 2025 notes that the gender pay gap remains one of the strongest indicators of structural inequality faced by women in the UK.

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 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

RCT Business Club
2026-03-03 08:00 - 10:00 | South Wales Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters, Forest View, Llantrisant, Wales, CF72 8LX, United Kingdom
Join us at our next RCT Business Club event to connect with local businesses and here from experts on a range of topics

Join us and our RCT Business Club partners, USW, Coleg Y Cymoedd and RCT Council, at South Wales Fire Rescue Headquarters to hear how the Fire Service can help support your business with volunteering opportunities, hear from Network Recruitment Wales CEO Alyx Peters on the changes to the Employment Bill and take part in roundtable discussions about what is effecting your business and businesses within RCT. There will also be plenty of opportunity for networking.

Agenda
08:00 am – Arrival, tea/coffee/pastries, networking
08:15 am – Welcome
08:20 am – Fire service talkand opportunities
08:45 am – Employment Bill
09:00 am – Roundtable Discussions
09:30 am – Feedback
09:45 am – Networking
10:00 am – Event closes

Cross Organisational Mentoring Circles for Ethnically Diverse Employees
2026-03-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
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. 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 31st March 2026. 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 Jessica.hart@bitc.org.uk, Event Coordinator 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

International Women’s Day: Advancing Gender Equality in 2026 and beyond
2026-03-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join us this International Women’s Day 2026 to discuss employer actions that break barriers and drive change amid upcoming legislation.

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
Join us this International Women’s Day 2026 for a conversation on the two big themes this year:
Give To Gain – Unlock the power of reciprocity. When businesses and individuals give generously—through opportunities, mentorship, and support—they gain stronger teams, innovative ideas, and drive sustainable growth for economic success.
Balance the Scales – A call from UN Women to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl.
Why Responsible Business is the Path to Economic Success
Creating a gender-diverse workforce isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s about driving measurable business results. Companies that prioritise inclusion outperform competitors in innovation, profitability, and employee engagement. Organisations that prioritise inclusion are 8 times more likely to have better business outcomes. Responsible business practices foster trust, attract top talent, and open doors to new markets. A 5% increase in the number of women in employment would add £125bn to UK GDP per annum.
When we invest in women, we invest in progress. By balancing the scales and giving to gain, organisations create ecosystems where everyone can thrive—and that translates into long-term economic success. Just a 10% increase in gender equality increases life expectancy by an average of 3 years for all genders.
What We’ll Explore

The Business Case for Gender Equality: Learn why mentoring, talent programs, and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) support women to thrive at work
Celebrating New Legislation: Discover how upcoming legislation reforms laws such as harassment protections, gender pay gap, and menopause action plans will support women to stay employed, and why these changes should be embraced as milestones for progress.
Practical Tools for Change: A roundup of Business in the Community’s gender equality tools & toolkits, including gender pay gap reporting and the equal parental leave calculator.

Our Speakers will discuss key future developments and the benefits that supporting women to thrive has brought to their workplaces. explore what organisations can do to prepare.
Please join us, Shilpa Acharya, UK Inclusion Lead (Marsh), and Joanna Brewis, Professor of People and Organisations (Open University) for this enlightening event and contribute to a dynamic discussion on using gender equality to balance the scales.

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

Upskilling the UK for a Future Ready Economy
2026-03-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join us to explore how green skills can prepare workforces, young people and communities for a fair, future-ready UK economy.

This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to both members and non-members and will be particularly useful for HR and sustainability leaders.

Overview
Learn how businesses can build the green skills the UK needs for an inclusive, future-ready economy. Hear insights from BITC’s Green Skills Lab and Future Ready Communities pilots, and explore how businesses can prepare their workforce, young people, and communities for the jobs of tomorrow.
About the Event
The UK’s transition to a fair and future-ready economy depends on whether people have the right skills to thrive in rapidly changing industries. Green skills are increasingly essential across all sectors, yet many employers struggle to build a strong skills pipeline.
This webinar will share practical insights from Business in the Community’s Green Skills Lab and our Future Ready Communities programme. You will hear examples of how businesses are embedding green skills into their workforce planning, and how place-based pilot projects are helping young people and underserved communities to gain skills that will prepare them to access jobs.
Drawing on BITC’s experience over the last few years, we will explore:

What green skills are and why they matter.

How employers can develop future-ready skills within their organisation.

How businesses can invest beyond their own workforce to prepare the talent of the future.

The partnerships, behaviours and actions needed to support thriving people and thriving places.

This session will provide practical steps for any organisation preparing for the future of work.
Speakers for the event include:
Ruth Watson, Founder of EcologicoUK and Eco Connect
Ruth Watson is the founder of EcologicoUK and Eco Connect North East CIC, based in Teesside. She leads community focused work that makes sustainable living more accessible, through refill and low waste retail, workshops and community events, and a mobile eco hub that takes refill and circular economy activity into local communities.
EcologicoUK is the delivery partner for Business in the Community’s supported project at Dormanstown and Grangetown Primary Schools in Middlesbrough, helping pupils set up and run closed loop refill stations as well as a food waste farm shop as a young enterprise model that enables development of green skills while supporting families with low cost food and household essentials.
Max Finney, Senior Sustainability Manager, Shoosmiths
Max is the Senior Sustainability Manager, responsible for all elements of Shoosmiths’ sustainability programme including carbon reductions in line with the firm’s net zero targets, social impact through philanthropy, volunteering and pro bono and ensuring effective governance and accountability.
Prior to joining Shoosmiths, Max led sustainability strategy development and implementation across a variety of public and private industries including finance, healthcare, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Max has a Degree in Physical Geography and a Masters Degree in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh, as well as having completed an apprenticeship in Leadership with Imperial College London.

Background
BITC’s Future Ready Economy report argues that the UK will only achieve a fair, resilient and competitive economy if businesses invest in people, skills and places, while operating within planetary boundaries. Our work has found that access to good, future-ready jobs is distributed unevenly, with some communities at risk of being left behind as industries change. This webinar builds on those findings by focussing specifically on how businesses can support the development of green skills within their organisation and also across their communities.

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

Inclusion & Wellbeing Champion Forum: Impacts of AI for disabled employees
2026-03-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join us for an opportunity to discuss shaping the risks and opportunities for employment of disabled employees presented by AI adoption.

This is an online event.
Audience
This event is open to Inclusion (Gender, Race and Inclusion) and Wellbeing Champions.

Background

BITC found that 90% of organisations are considering the way AI interacts with the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda. A tailored focus on the impact of AI and disabled employees must be prioritised to reduce the risk of stalling progress on the disability pay and employment gap.

About the Event
Are you using or considering AI and/or automation technologies in your workplace? Have you considered the impacts of AI on disabled employees?
Join BITC and the University of Birmingham to explore the impacts of AI on disabled people in the UK through the AI-EMPOWERED research project with Dr Daniel Wheatley, Director of the Work Inclusivity Research Centre, University of Birmingham.
This champion forum shares expert-led insight and provides space to contribute to understanding the impacts of AI and automation on disabled employees. Regardless of your organisation’s maturity or current use of AI technologies, research estimates that globally 92 million jobs will 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.
This event will:
– Explore the AI Empowered research project aims
– Ensure inclusivity remains at the forefront when considering the use of AI
– Facilitate best practice learning to support disabled people in the AI era

Business in the Community’s work on Artificial Intelligence and Wellbeing:
Business in the Community has responded to the rapidly evolving rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through our Responsible AI labs, spotlighting critical challenges AI poses if businesses fail to embrace responsible integration. Considering the impact of AI on marginalised groups has remained imperative to this approach, exploring the Gendered Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Racial Bias in AI.
BITC’s Wellbeing campaign and BITC Workwell model positions thriving people at the heart of organisational purpose, culture and business strategy, providing a framework for an intersectional, inclusive and people-first approach. Inclusive AI practice should consider the lived experience of the one in seven workers in Britain with a disability and the broader workforce wellbeing implications of adoption to identify risks and mitigate accordingly.
Find out more about BITC’s work on wellbeing.

Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker is Dr Daniel Wheatley, Director of the Work Inclusivity Research Centre, University of Birmingham.
He will be discussing the AI EMPOWERED research project, exploring the impacts of AI on disabled people in the UK.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Jade Olivo 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

Launch Event: Responsible AI Framework– Shaping the Future of Business
2026-03-12 14:00 - 17:00 | London WC1V
Join us in London for the official launch of Business in the Community’s Responsible AI Framework.

This is an in-person event
Audience
This event is open to members and non-members.

About the event
Join us at Verizon’s Innovation Hub in London for the official launch of insight’s from Business in the Community’s Responsible AI lab series. These insights have been informed by cross-sector business, not for profit organisations and subject matter experts. The insights will offer practical, actionable guidance to help organisations navigate responsible business in an AI world.
At this event, you’ll:

Discover how you can navigate the opportunities and risks of AI.
Hear from experts on the role of AI in shaping a fairer, greener, and more inclusive future.
Explore cutting-edge technology inside Verizon’s state-of-the-art Innovation Hub.
Connect with senior leaders and practitioners driving responsible innovation.

Refreshments
Refreshments will be provided.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact Annette.Ettarh@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

Peer Learning Forum: Embedding purpose to create change
2026-03-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join us to discuss the opportunities and challenges in achieving your purpose and creating long-term sustainable positive impact.

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
Purpose – or the reason a business exists beyond creating profit – is the embodiment of responsible business. A business isn’t responsible if it’s only trying to make someone rich and the most responsible businesses understand their purpose as the ‘northern star’ that guides all their responsible business efforts. At BITC we’re not that interested in what a purpose statement says (although marvel at communications genius), we’re more in how the purpose expresses itself through purposeful leadership, responsible decision making and innovation and through changes in the commercial offering.

BITC’s Responsible Business Healthcheck (our maturity matrices for leading responsible business) says that a ‘Transforming’ responsible business is one which has reviewed its commercial offering to ensure all products, services, investments and supply chain management align with the purpose. We cite companies like Patagonia, Interface and Lush as examples of the most purposeful companies, but achieving purpose presents many challenges. BITC’s Embedding Purpose framework presents 8 steps to achieving purpose across the business.

With the Global Purpose Standard in development and the Company Directors (Duties) Bill’s second reading in Parliament in January 2026, join us at this Peer Learning Forum to discuss the opportunities and challenges in achieving your purpose and creating long-term sustainable positive impact as a business.

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 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

Overcoming Barriers to Fair Work through Anti-Racist Leadership
2026-03-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Online event
Join us to explore how anti-racist leadership can drive Fair Work by strengthening opportunity and effective voice in organisations

Audience
This session is open to BITC members and non-members.
Background
Join us on MS Teams for a focused session exploring how anti‑racist leadership can accelerate progress towards Fair Work, with particular emphasis on Opportunity and Effective Voice
Business in the Community (BITC) and CEMVO Scotland will share how anti‑racist practice drives systemic cultural change, improves workplace equity, and removes barriers to fair access to progression and influence.

About the Event
Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Director, Business in the Community, will present data and insights from the Race at Work Charter and the Race at Work 2025 Survey, highlighting key trends, structural challenges, and practical actions organisations can take to tackle systemic racism.
CEMVO Scotland will provide insight into common barriers organisations face when embedding anti-racist leadership and how these can be addressed through intentional strategy, policy reform, and leadership accountability.
Guest speakers sharing real-world organisational journeys towards anti-racism, including practical examples of transforming systems, policies, and management practices.
Participants will:

Increase their understanding of what anti-racist leadership looks like in practice.
Identify common structural and cultural barriers to fair progression and voice.
Gain practical examples of actions in leaders can take.
Identify at least one tangible anti-racist action they can implement within their organisation.

References
If any facts or statistics are included in your description a reference must be provided.
This must include the source URL.

Booking and contact details and further information

Contact evelyn.rorie@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

The King's Seeing is Believing Visit in London - 18 March 2026
2026-03-18 09:00 - 13:00 | London
Led by Peter Harrison, Non-Executive Chair, Morgan Sindall; Chair, Business in the Community

This is an in-person event. Attendance by invitation only.
Audience
• C-suite/Senior leaders

Background
Across the UK, nearly one in seven young people aged 16–24—close to one million individuals—are NEET. Nearly half of those who become NEET remain so a year later. This is more than a social concern—it’s a business issue. A generation without access to work means a shrinking talent pipeline, lower productivity, and fewer innovators entering our industries. At a time when many sectors are grappling with skills shortages and an ageing workforce, failing to engage young people represents a missed opportunity for growth, diversity, and long-term sustainability.
The recent Post‑16 Education and Skills White Paper set out an ambition for clear routes into work and training, but the scale of the challenge is significant: entry-level roles are harder to access, employment costs are rising, and technology is advancing faster than many can adapt. For business leaders, this presents both a responsibility and an opportunity to shape how early talent enters the workforce, how internships and apprenticeships are delivered, and how companies build pipelines of motivated, skilled future talent. Research shows that young people who have five or more meaningful employer encounters are 86% less likely to become NEET.

About this event
This Seeing is Believing visit will offer a unique opportunity to hear directly from young people, educators, experts, and employers about what’s working—and what isn’t—when it comes to preparing young people for the world of work. By engaging as leaders, we can work together and with Business in the Community on implementing solutions so that every young person can see and seize a future in work.

Booking and contact details and further information

For further information, please reach out to The King’s Seeing is Believing team (SIB@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

Building Fairer, More Inclusive Supply Chains Report Launch
2026-03-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
Join BITC’s Race Campaign for the launch of the Building Fairer, More Inclusive Supply Chains Report.

Audience
Open to all Business in the Community (BITC) members and non-members. This event is designed for procurement, supply chain, sustainability and ESG professionals, HR and people management managers/practitioners, diversity and inclusion managers/practitioners and senior managers and would benefit those who took part in the Leadership, Employees, and Procurement YouGov survey.

Background
Join BITC’s Race Campaign for the launch of the Building Fairer, More Inclusive Supply Chains Report. This new report builds on findings from the 2024 Leadership, Employees, and Procurement YouGov Survey, which gathered 5,091 responses and included 2,889 open-text comments providing rich qualitative insight into the lived experiences of employees, leaders, and procurement professionals.
These survey findings were further explored through BITC’s Supply Chain Long Tables, which brought together diverse founders, small business owners, and large corporate employers to discuss how inclusive procurement can become standard practice across the UK.
The report explores how employers can create fairer, more inclusive supply chains by addressing key barriers faced by Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse-led SMEs and enterprise owners. It also shares practical recommendations for how large organisations can balance compliance and risk management with accessibility, transparency, and proportionality.

About the event
This webinar will unpack the findings from the new Building Fairer, More Inclusive Supply Chains Report, offering a deep dive into how organisations can strengthen inclusive procurement practice in 2026 and beyond.
Through data insights, discussion, and practical examples, this session will explore:

The gap in perspectives between SMEs and large organisations revealed through the Supply Chain Long Tables.
How procurement processes can be simplified and made more transparent.
Why proportionality, prompt payment, and supplier development matter for building trust and long-term resilience.
How the findings align with Commitment 7 of the Race at Work Charter Reset.

Attendees will also hear how BITC’s Inclusive Procurement Maturity Model (IPMM) can help organisations assess their current approach and take practical steps to embed inclusion and fairness in supply chains.
By attending this event, you will:

Gain exclusive early insight into the DISC Thematic Review Report findings.
Hear directly from researchers and leaders on shaping inclusive procurement policy and practice.
Learn how to apply the Race at Work Charter Reset’s Commitment 7 within your organisation.
Discover actionable steps to build stronger, fairer, and more resilient supplier relationships.

Speakers

Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Equality Director, BITC.
Dr Chidozie Umeh ACIPD, FHEA), Assistant Professor in Human Resource Management, Programme Leader MSc Human Resource Management, School for Business and Society University of York
Professor Nelarine Cornelius BSc, PhD, MBA, Professor of Organisation Studies; Associate Dean, People, Culture and Inclusion School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London
Nick Wright, Head of the Procurement Digital Garage, bp
Reshma Sheikh, Chief Executive, MSDUK
Jacqueline Moore, Policy and Implementation Lead, Office of the Small Business Commissioner

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