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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

Andrew Paw
Exclusive Excel Tips and Tricks #504 - Accessing accessibility checkers for good spreadsheet practice
  • Article
  • 28 Apr 2026
  • Andrew Paw
Welcome back to Excel Tips and Tricks! This time, we have a Basic level post exploring Accessibility features, available in Excel and Google Sheets, that enable consistency and inclusivity by making spreadsheets easy to read and use for everyone. In this post, we also revisit the basics and explore how the features are important to consider for good spreadsheet practice.
Scene of people working in an office
Eight simple steps to manage stress
  • Article
  • 27 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Stress is one of the most common wellbeing challenges affecting accountants. April is Stress Awareness Month, and so we’ve asked experts to offer tips on coping mechanisms to help you thrive.
Takeaways from our 2026 Big Trustee Breakfast
  • Article
  • 13 Mar 2026
  • Kristina Kopic
The Big Trustee Breakfast 2026, held on 10 March at Chartered Accountants' Hall, was chaired by ICAEW Charity Committee Chair, Fiona Condron, and brought together charity trustees and those who are ‘trustee-curious’ for a morning of insightful discussion and networking.
Female in smart attire working on her laptop
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.
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
How to prepare for the Employment Rights Bill
  • Article
  • 28 Jul 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
New employment rules being introduced as part of the Employment Rights Bill will increase organisations’ obligations and costs. But getting ahead now will help you capitalise on the opportunities the changes present.

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:
Female boss with colleagues
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.