International Women's Day 2024

As we celebrate International Women's Day, Brown&Co stands firmly in support of gender equality and inclusion. This year's theme, 'Let’s Inspire Inclusion', aptly describes our current focus as we strive to foster an environment where every individual is valued and empowered based on their abilities and contributions.

Addressing Unconscious Bias

At Brown&Co, we recognise the importance of addressing unconscious biases and systemic barriers that hinder women's progress in the workplace. We conduct regular unconscious bias training for all staff and partners, providing them with the necessary tools and confidence to call out bias whenever it occurs.

Support for New Parents

We understand the challenges faced by new parents and have implemented comprehensive measures to support them. In addition to offering parental coaching, we provide flexible maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave options. This includes enhanced leave benefits, resulting in a remarkable 100% retention rate among new mothers in the first year of implementation. Moreover, we offer coaching for line managers to help them better support staff going on family leave and foster a more inclusive environment upon their return.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance

Flexibility is ingrained in our culture at Brown&Co. Over 70% of our staff have a flexible working pattern, allowing them to balance work and personal commitments effectively. Our range of flexible working arrangements, including part-time schedules, term-time working, and adjusted hours, ensures that employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance while pursuing their career goals.

Creating an Inclusive Environment

We have taken practical steps to create a more inclusive environment within our workplaces. This includes providing facilities such as breastfeeding rooms and dedicated fridges, as well as challenging traditional perceptions of full-time work. By offering a range of flexible working options, we ensure that all employees, regardless of gender or personal circumstances, feel supported and valued in their roles.

Equality Beyond Gender

Our commitment to equality extends beyond gender to encompass a range of issues, including sexual harassment, lack of advancement, and equal pay. For many years, through robust policies and ongoing training, we have strived to create a workplace where everyone has equal opportunities for growth and success. Our focus on metrics and data analysis at Board and Partner meetings enables us to identify areas for improvement and shape our policies accordingly.

Continuous Improvement

While we are proud of the progress we have made, we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. Through ongoing engagement with staff and stakeholders, we remain committed to driving positive change and fostering a more inclusive workplace culture. This includes working with external partners such as Investors in People to gain practical advice on empowering and improving opportunities for all our staff.

Role of HR

At Brown&Co, our HR team plays a crucial role in identifying and implementing necessary changes to promote inclusion. From conducting training sessions to monitoring the effectiveness of our policies, our HR team ensures that our commitment to diversity and inclusion remains a top priority across all levels of the organisation.

Looking ahead, we recognise that there's still work to be done. However, with the dedication of our Partners, managers, and staff, we're confident that we can continue driving positive change.