Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

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We are progressive. We are one family. We are inclusive. We are GWR.

Everyone belongs at GWR.

We’re committed to creating an exceptional workplace where authenticity and personal growth thrive.

As we work to reposition rail travel in the hearts and minds of the public, we aim to bring everyone along - whoever they are and whatever their experiences. To do that, we must reflect and understand the diverse communities we serve.

Inclusion is for everyone. It’s about respect, community, and amplifying diverse voices. Our goal is a truly inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, develop, and succeed - regardless of who they are or how they identify.

It’s a journey, and we’re in it for the long haul. If you'd like to be part of it, why not join us?

Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

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Our Leaders

We’re supporting our leaders, at all levels, to excel as confident EDI champions, to model inclusive behaviour in all they do, and to lead the way in breaking down systemic barriers.

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Our People

Our goal is to attract, retain and develop diverse talent, at all levels of our organisation.

 

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Our Culture

We’re on a journey, building an inclusive & equitable culture that addresses barriers adversely impacting under-represented groups.

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Our Processes

We’re evolving our inclusive ways of working, increasing the effectiveness of our decision-making groups and further developing our EDI data and insights.

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Our Customers

We’re creating an inclusive environment, one where all customers feel valued and respected.

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Our Communities

We continue to focus on outreach efforts and community engagement, working in support of under-represented groups.

Supporting Our Communities

At GWR, our commitment goes beyond providing rail services - we are dedicated to building a sustainable, inclusive and socially responsible future in partnership with the communities we serve.

We believe that railways have the power to connect not just places, but people too. By fostering meaningful relationships with local organisations, community groups and individuals, we aim to support growth, opportunity and belonging for all.

Our work is guided by the belief that everyone deserves to feel included and valued. That’s why we continue to invest in initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion across our network. Here are just a few examples of how GWR is actively supporting inclusion, representation and a sense of belonging within the communities we’re proud to be part of.

Click here to read more about how we are supporting communities across our network and how you could be a part of it.

Our Employee Networks

At GWR, we’re proud to host a range of employee networks - run by colleagues, for colleagues - that champion inclusion, connection and positive change across the business. These networks create space for community, support and advocacy -  helping to make GWR a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.

Below are some of the Network Groups we have here at GWR. These networks are vital to building a stronger, more inclusive railway - together.

Our Partnerships

At GWR we’re proud to work with a range of partners, who support our work in inclusion and belonging. We know that it takes diverse perspectives and expertise, rigour and fresh ideas to make real, lasting change in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. Our partnerships help us to develop our work, helping to ensure that we’re always doing the right thing for both our colleagues and customers. Our partnerships include the following:

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Vercida

Vercida is a platform dedicated to workplace diversity, inclusion and leadership. It connects employers with organisations committed to building diverse teams and promoting equality and respect. Vercida attracts talent from a wide pool and provides resources to help create inclusive workplaces.

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Young Rail Professionals

Young Rail Professionals (YRP), founded in 2009, works to promote the rail industry as a great career choice, inspire the next generation of talent and develop young people to reach their potential.

 

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Onvero

Onvero is a UK not-for-profit helping employers build diverse teams and inclusive cultures. It offers membership, training and consultancy to embed diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) strategies in the workplace.

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Women in Rail

Women in Rail was established to improve diversity in the UK rail industry by providing networking and support for women, encouraging businesses to adopt diversity as a strategy, and creating initiatives to position rail as an attractive career for young people.

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Clear Assured

We’re proud to hold Clear Assured Silver accreditation, reflecting significant progress in embedding diversity, equity and inclusion across our organisation. This recognition demonstrates our strategic commitment, with inclusive practices now integrated into our policies, processes and culture.

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Read&Write 

We’ve introduced Read&Write accessibility software to support our diverse workforce. Beneficial for all, especially those with specific challenges, it can be downloaded anonymously for discreet access. This reflects our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.