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Women in Rail and Railway Industry Association Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter

Signatories

Updated 22 June 2021

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter Women in Rail and the Railway Industry Association collaborate on an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter for the UK railway industry A pledge for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the UK railway industry.

Dear Colleagues, Signatories to this Charter aspire to be the best in everything they, and collectively the UK railway sector, do and therefore aim to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We are delighted to provide you with an update on the companies who have signed up to the Equality, Diversity and rail industry jointly launched

by Women in Rail andsector, the Railway Industry ThisInclusion Equality,Charter, Diversitya and Inclusioninitiative Charter reflects the commitment of the UK(WR) railway and more Association (RIA) back in November 2020. precisely, the Railway Industry Association, Women in Rail and signatory companies, to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in the rail industry and to work together to build a more balanced and fair and high You will see that we now have over 160 signatories to the Charter which is a great result. performing sector.

On 11th February, we sent you athat Signatory Welcome Pack containing guidance onItthe Charter and setting out our Signatory companies recognise an inclusive workforce is good for business. brings diversity of thought, plan to drive the agenda forward. innovation, and a positive workforce culture as well as improved customer relationships. Diversity and inclusion are also increasingly important to rail clients and investors.

Among other actions, we announced the creation of a “Working Group” whose role would be to encourage and inspire our companies industry with ideas social to celebrate and drive change, and foster and inform what we, Signatory support mobility and are positive committed to creating equalinclusion opportunities for everyone. as individuals and asrole an industry, can do attract, create opportunities and retain a workforce that istalent. truly diverse and inclusive They recognise the our industry cantoplay in creating and unlocking They understand that and drive ouran sector’s EDIculture effortswithin forward. embedding inclusive their own organisations, and collectively within the UK railway industry, is crucial to unlocking the potential a diverse workforce can offer. It will help develop the next generation of leaders The Working was aofficially created on 24thfoster February.

It comprises individuals of diverse in rail, make Group our sector more attractive career, innovation and play a substantial role inbackgrounds, the creationages, of a genders, ethnicity, abilities and identities, each with different roles and responsibilities within rail and at different best in class railway sector in the UK. stages of their careers, and representing the full spectrum of our industry, including clients, arms-length bodies, supply chain organisations, train operating companies and infrastructure providers.

The Charter: The hassignatory elected a companies Chair, Charlie Woodhead, and has working on its next steps to help drive • Group Commits to lead by example andalready make a started difference, publicly reporting on their progress. the agenda positive forward.change within the signatory companies and across the railway industry by empowering and • EDI Promotes educating leaders, making employees feel comfortable to challenge negative or discriminatory behaviours in We have started introducing Group members WRpractice. and RIA social media channels and will continue to do so the workplace, and collaborating to shareonbest over coming weeks. We will alsotoregularly their suggestions andindividuals progress with • the Commits signatory companies supportshare the progression of diverse intoyou. senior roles, develop the talent pipeline and improve representation at senior and executive level of the railway industry We forwardthat to continuing to work with you creating a more diverse andand inclusive sector, throughout all • look Recognises each signatory company willonhave different starting point available resources and that grades and roles. dothe share your stories and best practice, and do not hesitate to reach out at info@ progress willPlease not look same forsuccess every organisation. edicharter.co.uk should you have any question or comment in connection with the Charter.

Statement for signatory companies - my organisation pledges to promote equality, diversity and inclusion by: Best wishes, • Appointing a member of the senior leadership team as an ‘EDI Champion’.

Adeline Ginn MBE, Founder Women in Railprogress & Kate Jennings, Policy Director Railway IndustrytoAssociation • Agreeing an action planofand monitoring made, including in RIA’sat annual reporting their AGM and Women in Rail’s annual report. Also, progress to be demonstrated on RIA, Women in Rail, and signatories’ websites.

Sign the EDI Charter • Providing opportunities for training and education of employees to help tackle unconscious bias and negative behaviours within workforces.

For information how you can sign The Women in Rail“quiet and Railway Association Diversity • more Creating a cultureon that fosters inclusion and encourages voices”,Industry including at industryEquality, events and in and Inclusion pleasethrough email info@edicharter.co.uk. meetingsCharter, for instance, 360 feedback on senior and executive teams and reverse mentoring, thus providing a safe space for all employees to talk openly.

Media Contacts • Making recruitment and progression processes accessible and attractive to all to attract retain and develop people of all backgrounds, ages, genders and identities.

For further information about this media release, please contact: This Charter is open to all companies in the UK railway sector who wish to play a role in promoting innovation, Vicky PR & Communications WomenNot in Rail agilityBinley, and positive change in our industry. all signatory companies will be able to make the same T:commitments, 01780 432930but all signatory M: 07951 806521 will be E: vicky@nimblemedia.co.uk companies asked to pledge to collaborate and take actions that promote better equality, diversity and inclusion in UK rail.

Max Sugarman, Public Affairs & PR Director Railway Industry Association T: 0207 201 0777 M: 07399 042 385 E: Max.Sugarman@riagb.org.uk

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter A pledge for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the UK railway industry.

Signatories to this Charter aspire to be the best in everything they, and collectively the UK railway sector, do and therefore aim to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter reflects the commitment of the UK railway sector, and more precisely, the Railway Industry Association, Women in Rail and signatory companies, to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in the rail industry and to work together to build a more balanced and fair and high performing sector.

Signatory companies recognise that an inclusive workforce is good for business. It brings diversity of thought, innovation, and a positive workforce culture as well as improved customer relationships. Diversity and inclusion are also increasingly important to rail clients and investors.

Signatory companies support social mobility and are committed to creating equal opportunities for everyone.

They recognise the role our industry can play in creating opportunities and unlocking talent. They understand that embedding an inclusive culture within their own organisations, and collectively within the UK railway industry, is crucial to unlocking the potential a diverse workforce can offer. It will help develop the next generation of leaders in rail, make our sector a more attractive career, foster innovation and play a substantial role in the creation of a best in class railway sector in the UK. The Charter: • Commits signatory companies to lead by example and make a difference, publicly reporting on their progress.

• Promotes positive change within the signatory companies and across the railway industry by empowering and educating leaders, making employees feel comfortable to challenge negative or discriminatory behaviours in the workplace, and collaborating to share best practice.

• Commits signatory companies to support the progression of diverse individuals into senior roles, develop the talent pipeline and improve representation at senior and executive level of the railway industry • Recognises that each signatory company will have different starting point and available resources and that progress will not look the same for every organisation.

Statement for signatory companies - my organisation pledges to promote equality, diversity and inclusion by: • Appointing a member of the senior leadership team as an ‘EDI Champion’.

• Agreeing an action plan and monitoring progress made, including in RIA’s annual reporting to their AGM and Women in Rail’s annual report. Also, progress to be demonstrated on RIA, Women in Rail, and signatories’ websites.

• Providing opportunities for training and education of employees to help tackle unconscious bias and negative behaviours within workforces.

• Creating a culture that fosters inclusion and encourages “quiet voices”, including at industry events and in meetings for instance, through 360 feedback on senior and executive teams and reverse mentoring, thus providing a safe space for all employees to talk openly.

• Making recruitment and progression processes accessible and attractive to all to attract retain and develop people of all backgrounds, ages, genders and identities.

This Charter is open to all companies in the UK railway sector who wish to play a role in promoting innovation, agility and positive change in our industry. Not all signatory companies will be able to make the same commitments, but all signatory companies will be asked to pledge to collaborate and take actions that promote better equality, diversity and inclusion in UK rail.

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The Rail Industry Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter represents our industry’s commitment to openly support the EDI agenda.

For more information on how your organisation can be involved, please visit the Women in Rail or Railway Industry Association websites or search for WR RIA EDI Charter or email: info@edicharter.co.uk

The Rail Industry Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter is a joint initiative by Women in Rail and the Railway Industry Association