News Nov 23, 2020

Jacobs Supports UK Railway Industry’s Charter to Champion Greater Diversity

Jacobs has committed to support and promote a new Charter to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in the U.K. railway industry.

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Jacobs has committed to support and promote a new Charter to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in the U.K. railway industry. The U.K. Railway Industry Association (RIA) and Women in Rail (WR) have collaborated on the joint ‘Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter’ as a commitment  to work together to build a more balanced and fair sector.

The Charter involves several key commitments by organizations, including to:

  • Appoint a member of the senior leadership team as an ‘EDI Champion’.
  • Agree an action plan, monitor and report on progress made.
  • Provide opportunities for training and education of employees, support the progression of diverse individuals into senior roles to improve diverse representation at senior and executive level of the U.K. railway industry.
  • Create a culture that fosters inclusion and provide a safe space for all employees to talk openly, including at industry events and in meetings.
  • Make recruitment and progression processes accessible and attractive to all to attract retain and develop people of all backgrounds, ages, genders and identities.
EDI charter graphic

Backed by over 100 organizations to date, the Charter is open to all organizations working in the U.K. railway industry who wish to play a role in promoting positive change. It seeks to recognise and build upon the progress which has already taken place, providing the basis to encourage further collaboration and action across the sector.

“We are delighted to support and promote this new charter which is completely in line with Jacobs’ value: “We live inclusion”, "Best Woman Rail Engineer 2018 (European Women in Construction & Engineering Awards) and Jacobs Portfolio Lead for Rail Major Projects EuropeSusana Gozalo shares. “In our U.K. Transportation business, we have developed a plan of action under the four pillars of our TogetherBeyondSM global strategy including the commitment from senior leadership to actively promote inclusion as part of our transformation journey.”

She adds, “In August 2020, we also created an Inclusion and Diversity Task Force, a network of employees from diverse backgrounds developing ways in which we can make inclusion part of everyday project delivery. We welcome this opportunity to work with the rail industry to share best practice and bring equality, diversity and inclusion to the top of the agenda.”

“The rail industry has worked hard in the last few years to promote equality, diversity and inclusion within its workforce,” continues Women in Rail Founder and Director Adeline Ginn MBE. “In these challenging times, it is important we strengthen these EDI efforts to ensure we attract and harness the skills, knowledge and insight from everyone representing all parts of our society and our customers.

“This Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter represents our industry’s commitment to openly support this agenda and we are delighted to be partnering with the Railway Industry Association, and all the signatories, on this exciting initiative,” she concludes.

RIA Chairman David Tonkin and Chief Executive Darren Caplan issued a joint statement stating:

We are delighted to announce the EDI Charter in partnership with Women in Rail. Whilst there has been plenty of progress in the rail supply sector which we should be proud of, there is still more to do to promote diversity and equal opportunity.

The rail workforce should be representative of a modern U.K., providing an attractive career path to people of all ages from all backgrounds, and ultimately increasing the talent pool from which the future leadership of the rail sector will be drawn.

We hope the Charter will help encourage not just equality, diversity and inclusion in the rail supply sector, but also diversity of thought, unlocking new talent and building a positive culture throughout the railway industry. We look forward to working with organisations from across the sector to ensure that rail remains a fantastic area to work in during the years ahead.

Signatories currently include over 100 companies from across the U.K. railway industry, such as: Department for Transport; Network Rail; RDG; NSAR; Transport for London and Transport for Wales; ORR; BTP; Southeastern Railway; HS1; leading OEMS such as Alstom, Hitachi, CAF and Bombardier; as well as consultancy companies and also Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education to name a few.

The Charter is open to all organisations in rail – further details are available on the website on how your organisation can sign up. Read the full EDI Charter here.