On 4th July, business representatives gathered for a roundtable discussion on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at emh Group’s Leicester office. Organised by East Midlands Chamber and its strategic partner emh Group, the event focused on sharing best practices and addressing key challenges within EDI, such as concerns over ‘getting it wrong,’ balancing free speech, and determining what to include in company policies.
The roundtable followed the release of a regional report on EDI in businesses, which revealed that while 70% of firms in the East Midlands have an EDI policy, one-third still fear making mistakes. The report, which advocates for 2025 to be a ‘year of action,’ highlights the benefits of an inclusive environment and the ongoing hurdles in achieving full engagement with EDI. While most businesses recognise the importance of inclusion, fear of making errors remains a significant barrier for many. A portion of businesses also believe that EDI policies offer little to no benefits.
The roundtable allowed businesses to share successful strategies and discuss ways forward. These insights will inform future policies, regional initiatives, and government recommendations to support firms in improving EDI engagement.
As businesses face evolving challenges, collaboration in EDI is seen as crucial in driving regional productivity and fostering inclusive environments.
