SBFM, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading and fastest growing soft FM service providers, has joined over 800 employers in signing the Race at Work Charter, committing to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Businesses are being encouraged to commit to improving equal opportunities for Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse employees in the UK, through the community. 

The Race at Work Charter builds on the findings from BITC’s 2021 Race at Work Survey, which found that while 76% of employers said that race recruitment and progression was a priority, only 46% had set targets to improve the racial diversity of their boards.

By signing up to the charter, SBFM have committed to seven key principles including appointing an executive sponsor for race, making equality in the workplace the responsibility of all leaders and managers, and taking action that supports ethnic minority career progression.

Further commitments include, ensuring zero tolerance of harassment and bullying, supporting race inclusion allies in the workplace and including Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse-led enterprise owners in supply chains, with all data captured and progress publicised. 

Kelly Dolphin, Learning and Social Impact Director at SBFM, said: “SBFM has also had a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, and we're proud to be one of many organisations committing to improve equality of workplace opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities through this latest pledge. 

“As signatories of the Race at Work charter, SBFM can reflect on the ongoing work to improve the trust and confidence of its diverse colleagues throughout the business and build a true legacy for change across our organisation and the facilities management sector.”

SBFM already has significant work underway to help achieve its aim of being an inclusive and diverse organisation and to improve the confidence of underrepresented groups and ethnically and culturally diverse communities.

SBFM’s board of directors is one of the most diverse in the facilities management industry, representing a range of genders, races and ethnicities. Of its nine directors, 37.5% of SBFM’s board are female, while two members of the board are from an ethnic minority.