Leading accountancy and business advisory firm BDO Northern Ireland (BDO NI) has achieved Silver Diversity Mark accreditation, recognising its continued commitment to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, supported and able to thrive.
Diversity Mark is the accrediting body for workplace diversity and inclusion, supporting organisations across all sectors through a trusted accreditation framework, expert guidance and collaborative peer support.
As part of the accreditation process, independent Assessors recognised BDO NI’s progress across a range of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) priorities. The panel highlighted the firm’s leadership in promoting EDI amongst other employers, particularly through its work on social mobility and its use of employee lived experience to help shape more inclusive policies and practices.
Launched in 2017, Diversity Mark was the first accreditation of its kind and was created with the support of forward-thinking businesses committed to building more inclusive workplaces. Silver accreditation recognises organisations that can demonstrate measurable progress and sustained commitment to embedding inclusive practices across their workplace culture.
Laura Jackson, Audit Partner at BDO NI, commented: “Achieving Silver accreditation from Diversity Mark is an important milestone for BDO NI and one that reflects the genuine commitment of our people right across the firm. It recognises the intentional work we have been doing to keep our workplace inclusive and meritocratic, whilst acknowledging there is unconscious bias and other barriers we must tackle and keep on our radar.
“We hope to support others in our ecosystem who are considering this journey because progress like this lifts everyone. Our focus now is on continuing that progress until inclusion and equality of opportunity are embedded as standard.”
Christine White, Director of Diversity Mark adds: “Congratulations to everyone at BDO NI on achieving the Silver Diversity Mark Accreditation. This recognition reflects the commitment, leadership and sustained action that has been taken to embed diversity and inclusion across the organisation.
“Our independent assessment panel was particularly impressed by BDO NI’s work to champion inclusion beyond its own organisation, including its leadership on social mobility and its commitment to listening to employee lived experience to shape meaningful change. Achieving Silver is an important milestone, demonstrating measurable progress while recognising that creating truly inclusive workplaces is an ongoing journey. We look forward to continuing to support BDO NI as they build on this excellent foundation.”