Making diversity a universal business

A new impact report from Diversity & Inclusion in Grocery (DIG) has shown that the drive and hunger to create an inclusive industry within grocery, has not faltered.

Since the programme’s inception in the last three years, DIG has seen a threefold increase in industry partners, rising from 25 to 77. With representation from across the industry, the partners account for an estimated 1.1 million UK colleagues and an additional 4.5 million colleagues globally.

And DIG’s growing network is the driving force behind some of the most exciting diversity and inclusion (D&I) brand collaborations in the industry, because its partners are standing shoulder to shoulder to create the industry’s largest collaborative D&I network. Created by the industry, for the industry, it’s relevant to organisations of any size and at any stage of their journey.

Sharing best practice on improving inclusion

Partners use DIG as a safe space to share best practice, policies, and employee engagement initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion across all areas of the grocery industry. More than 100 of these cross-company initiatives have taken place this year already.

Across DIG’s ready-made 12-month diversity and inclusion programme, partners, varying from SMEs to industry leaders, are connecting through the programme’s three main workstreams: shared learning, mentoring, and its annual event, D&I in Grocery LIVE!

Partners are hugely positive about the impact. Angela Daulby, commercial director foods division at Kepak says: “Diversity & Inclusion in Grocery has enabled Kepak to engage our colleagues from across the business, including our senior leadership team, because everyone is united in their desire to create a workplace where people can bring their whole selves to work.”

And Alessandra Bellini, chief customer officer at Tesco reiterates that diversity and inclusion is everyone’s business. “I am delighted to join together as a total industry to combine the impact we can have in ensuring that working in grocery means working in an inclusive environment – where everyone can be themselves, have mutual respect, understanding and be the best that they can be.”

Overcoming the barriers to diversity

DIG’s shared learning workstream is creating the industry’s largest cross-company employee resource platform. More than 350 colleagues, including industry leaders, allies, and experts, lead and attend an annual calendar of live monthly Learning Labs, created, and delivered by DIG partners, who share how they are overcoming the ever-changing barriers to true diversity, equity, and inclusion for everyone.

Harnessing the power of past learning, best practice, and policy development, together everyone is taking the crucial steps needed to start change, regardless of where they are on the journey.

DIG has enabled more than 100 cross-company connections already in 2022. To find out more, watch this video.

Cross-company mentoring in grocery

DIG’s cross-company mentoring programme scheme brings together senior leaders and mentees from across the industry, matching through a research-backed matching process, which eliminates unconscious bias. This provides people with the opportunities for growth, networking and development, with ongoing support, coaching tips and guidance.

In the last three years, mentoring pairs have increased from 29 to 167, meaning DIG now has 334 mentors and mentees across the grocery industry. Driving the acceleration of diverse talent across the breadth of grocery to create future leaders, DIG’s hugely successful mentoring programme is bringing together senior leaders and mentees in this unique cross-industry initiative.

DIG LIVE!

And all of this culminates in an annual event, D&I in Grocery LIVE! which brings more than 1,600 industry diversity and inclusion experts and allies to connect, celebrate successes and be a catalyst for change.

The event helps organisations take the first or next step towards driving tangible change. It covers more than 60 of the most important diversity and inclusion topics the industry is facing to drive change and momentum, plus a full day of speakers and inclusive content representing all areas of diversity.

With more than 1,600 people attending the event, including senior leaders, diversity and inclusion partners, and allies, it’s the perfect opportunity to make new connections and broaden networks.