Balfour Beatty VINCI has been awarded the Clear Assured Gold standard accreditation for achieving diversity and inclusion best practices across its work
Construction partner to HS2, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) has been recognized for its commitment to embedding diversity and inclusion best practices into all elements of its work.
Clear Assured assesses how a company is employing diversity and inclusion best practises
The Clear Assured Gold standard accreditation is part of a framework that examines all aspects of an organisation’s performance to ensure the integration and promotion of diversity and inclusion best practices.
The framework utilises an audit and evidence-based assessment to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded into an organisation.
The Clear Assured Framework is underpinned by a robust audit and evidence-based assessment process that examines all aspects of an organisation’s performance to ensure it embeds and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion (ED and I).
BBV and HS2 have made significant strides in their commitments to EDI
HS2 Ltd set the standard when it achieved Platinum status – the only company in the UK to do so – in February 2021.
Now its construction partners, and businesses within the wider supply chain, are being supported to achieve the same high standards across their recruitment practices and workplace environments.
BBV have previously achieved Bronze status in January 2021, Silver in October 2021 and most recently, Gold in October 2022.
They scored highly across a number of categories, including finding talent, policy and procedure, assessing talent and retaining talent.
The construction company was also praised for its transparent approach, delivering training programmes and its work with third-party suppliers.
A “marvellous milestone” for BBV and HS2
Head of Clear Assured, Anna Mäkinen, added:
“Achieving Clear Assured Gold accreditation is a marvellous milestone for Balfour Beatty VINCI and demonstrates ED&I is fully integrated into the business.
“Their leadership, support for underrepresented groups and in-depth knowledge of EDI issues is clear to see. They’ve evidenced that they’re constantly learning, taking in feedback and making positive changes towards a more authentic inclusive culture”.
Natalie Penrose, head of legacy at HS2 said:
“Almost 30,000 people are now working on HS2, and we’ve made a steadfast commitment to ensuring our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that Britain’s new railway will serve.
“By striving to ensure that our working practices and construction sites are safe, inclusive, and responsive to individuals’ needs, we’re making great waves in attracting more women and people from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups into our workforce.”
Social value and boosting skills in local areas are a priority of BBV’s HS2 developments
BBV estimates it will support circa 7,000 jobs to deliver its programme of work on HS2 and it places a strong focus on supporting local people, particularly those who are out of work, into new careers within the construction sector.
Through specialist training academies across the West Midlands, BBV invests in helping people to develop new skills which will enable them to play a key role in HS2’s construction.
Lucy Jones, HR director at Balfour Beatty VINCI said:
“Achieving Gold accreditation is great recognition of the foundations we have laid at Balfour Beatty VINCI since 2020. We hope it sends a clear message to those thinking about a career in the construction and infrastructure sectors that we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for everyone.
“We have made significant strides in this space, but we also recognise that more can always be done. We will continue to make improvements across our joint venture, drive behavioural change, and support underrepresented groups including through engagement with our valued supply chain partners.”
