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Diversity in the workplace

What can you do to create a diverse workforce? Our collection of best practice guides will show you how to promote and protect diversity.

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ICAEW resources

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How to fill talent gaps through social mobility
  • Article
  • 10 Dec 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
BDO is using a school leavers scheme to identify more talent outside of the usual pools. Its Head of Audit for Scotland explains how it works.
A team of people at their desks working on their laptops
Five steps to more inclusive communication
  • Article
  • 05 Dec 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
By highlighting qualities such as respect, transparency and compassion, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a natural driver for workplace ethics, says Cherryl Cooper of Grant Thornton UK. She recommends a five-step approach to EDI-based communication.
A team of people at their desks working on their laptops
Applying the building blocks of ethical culture
  • Article
  • 04 Nov 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
From whistleblowing and governance to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and the use of AI, Global Ethics Day speakers unveiled a host of ideas for building and upholding strong organisational ethics.
digital image of an elephant wearing the United States of America flag stripes and stars
Long read: Europe’s response to the DEI backlash
  • Article
  • 09 Sep 2025
  • Vicky Meek
As diversity, equity and inclusion programmes come under attack from President Trump’s executive orders, following a rise in adverse sentiment in some quarters, how are Europe’s private equity firms responding? Vicky Meek reports.
digital illustration of a city buildings skyscrapers apartments offices on a yellow background
Insight: CDFIs
  • Article
  • 10 Jul 2025
  • Jason Sinclair
Addressing the funding gap for small businesses, often women- or ethnic minority-led, has been a perennial problem as they fail to meet banks’ lending risk profiles. We look at community development finance institutions, an initiative with its roots in 1970s Chicago.
Exclusive Navigating the complexities of diversity and inclusion in the workforce
  • Article
  • 13 Jun 2025
  • Ololade Adesanya, Global Head of Asset Management and insurance Audit, HSBC
Equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) is currently the subject of intense debate. Does it still serve a purpose in today’s organisations?
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
Lack of social mobility could be costing billions
  • Article
  • 12 Jun 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
Greater social mobility in the workplace could unlock billions in GDP growth every year, so why isn’t it integral to every business in the UK? On this Social Mobility day, it’s time to challenge outdated perspectives.
Why your business should invest in mental health first aiders
  • Article
  • 19 May 2025
  • Croner
With mental health awareness week upon us, it’s time to focus on what employers can do to improve their employees’ mental health at work and generally support emotional well-being.

Articles and books in the Library collection

The ICAEW Library & Information Service holds a print collection of over 45,000 books and around 160 current professional journals. For information on borrowing books from the Library please contact us or see our guide to book loans. You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

The good governance guide to boardroom dynamics
  • Library book
  • 2021
  • J.Cross
This book looks in detail at issues that affect the board both on an individual and group level. Key topics such as board diversity, technical competence and personal characteristics are addressed, as is the concept of emotional intelligence (EQ), which is crucial to successfully working in a boardroom setting. As well as offering practical direction on how best to work with others and manage talent, it provides guidance on how to maintain personal resilience and develop behavioural agility.
Employment law and pensions
  • Library book
  • 2016
  • D.Pollard
Contains sections giving an overview of pensions provision in the UK, automatic enrolment, employers and pension obligations, unlawful discrimination and pensions (including sex discrimination and age discrimination), employment contracts, employer's powers and consultation, maternity and paternity rights and pensions, TUPE and pensions and cessation of employment and pensions.
A white-collar profession: African American certified public accountants since 1921
  • Library book
  • 2002
  • P.Whitcomb
This book chronicles the stories of several of the pioneering African American men and women who managed to surmount the obstacles to becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and whose history has been all but ignored.

To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.

You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

Reports and surveys

Selected links to guidance, statistics and reports on diversity in the workplace.
Navigating barriers to senior leadership for people from minority ethnic groups in FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies
  • Website
  • Cranfield University
Commissioned by the FRC and conducted by a research team from Cranfield University and Delta Alpha Psi Services, this research looks at the challenges and opportunities that minority ethnic individuals might experience in progressing to the boards of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies.
European Women on Boards
  • Website
Founded in 2013 EWOB 'directly supports the European Commission in achieving the targets set by the new EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025' and is committed to help corporations make the change by developing talents and skills of senior businesswomen. EWOB publishes the Gender diversity index.
Women in the boardroom: a global perpective
  • Website
  • Global Centre for Corporate Governance
Sixth edition of the report by the Deloitte Global Centre for Corporate Governance, first published in 2011 and last updated in 2019, giving an overview of current initiatives around the world to increase the number of women serving on corporate boards.
Race in the workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review
  • Website
  • GOV.UK
Independent review by Baroness McGregor-Smith considering the issues affecting black and minority ethnic (BME) groups in the workplace. The report makes recommendations for improving recruitment processes, supporting progression and ensuring inclusive workplaces.
Women on boards reports
  • Website
Government hub page for reports relating to Lord Davies of Abersoch's Women on Boards review (published 2011), including the annual review and 5 year summary. See also our page on Women on Boards for further background and information.
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Related topics

We also maintain separate web pages on these topics:
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Board diversity
Considerations and guidance for corporate governance professionals on boardroom diversity.
Glasses on table
Discrimination
Find out more about the law on discrimination with our selection of articles, links and guides to best practice and regulation.
Diverse office workers
Diversity and inclusion
Articles, books and online resources providing background information and guidance on making a workplace more diverse and inclusive to the people who work in it.
Young colleagues at work
Employment tribunals
Employment tribunals hear claims regarding disputes in the workplace. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources providing guidance and background information.
Female colleagues at desk
Women in business
A collection of books, articles and guides on topics of interest to women working in business and accountancy.

Explore our communities

Information, insights, guidance and networking opportunities on a range of industry sectors and at various stages throughout your career.
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Information

Some of the content on this web page was provided by the Chartered Accountants’ Trust for Education and Research, a registered charity, which owns the library and operates it for ICAEW.