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Foreword by Chair and Chief Executive Welcome to Swan’s Equality Scheme 20182022. By publishing this scheme we are proud to demonstrate our continuing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. At Swan we believe that Equality and Diversity should be embedded within all aspects of the business, and this belief is a continuous thread that runs all the way from our Board to our customer facing employees delivering on the ground.
We are delighted that, as a result of our commitment and achievements, the Housing Diversity Network have awarded us their Diversity Network Accreditation for excellence in equality and diversity with 5 distinctions for good practice: • Diverse leadership with high awareness and demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity from the Board, Executive and senior managers, with a proactive approach to emerging issues; • Board diversity;
• Inclusive and positive organisational culture, where staff are engaged and feel supported and valued;
We are also delighted to have been recognised as one of the Top 100 Not for Profit companies to work for in the UK by the Sunday Times, achieved Investors in People Gold accreditation and retained our Customer Service Excellence accreditation.
With equality, diversity and inclusion there is always more that can be done and we are committed to doing just that. We know from experience that by working in close partnership with our employees, residents and stakeholders we can combine our skills, resources and energy to create a greater impact, make a bigger difference and deliver our social purpose. This Scheme will, alongside our People Strategy and other strategies, guide our strategic approach over the next four years and ensure that we continue to promote equality, diversity and inclusion through everything we do.
On behalf of the Board and the Executive Team, we thank all residents, employees and partners who have helped us to achieve so much already and who will be helping us to deliver even more.
• Diversity Days, for bringing together staff and tenants, the range of topics covered, relevance and usefulness for staff in their dayto-day roles;
• Community development approach and range of creative activities and projects to deliver good outcomes for vulnerable groups.
Valerie Owen OBE, Chair, Swan Housing Association
John Synnuck, Chief Executive Swan Housing Association
