INTRODUCTION

National Equality Standard (NES)

The NES is the UK’s leading diversity assessment framework, developed in partnership with the UK government and in collaboration with 20 public and private sector organisations. There are now over 400 organisations who have engaged with the framework. It sets clear diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) criteria against which companies are independently assessed. The NES has become the accepted standard across the UK and is increasingly now being used globally.

The NES has been an invaluable experience  - the outputs from the rigorous, independent review has provided us with the foundations and priorities for our Diversity and Inclusion plan. A big thank you to Arun and the team @ EY!

Liz Reilly

Segro Group HR Director

The National Equality Standard (NES) report is extremely useful, detailed and comprehensive. Most importantly, it highlights future areas of focus for NNL to tackle and drive forward. Delivering ED&I best practice is a priority within our organisation – we thoroughly support this agenda!

Dr Paul Howarth

Chief Executive Officer at the National Nuclear Laboratory

To pass the National Equality Standard at our first attempt and this early in our Vision 2030 journey is a truly great achievement by all our people.

Mark Earl

Shaw Trust Chief People Officer

Throughout the assessment process, the accessibility, professionalism and knowledge of the NES team was outstanding. There was a good balance of support and challenge which made the whole process an informative and rewarding experience.

 Katy Levine

Derwent London Head of HR

The National Equality Standard acknowledges the hard work taking place to encourage equality, diversity and inclusion across the organisation. As one of the most rigorous assessments, it is an honour to be recognised as the first police force to achieve this accreditation.

Sue Mountstevens

AVON Police and Crime Commissioner

After obtaining our NES standard at first time assessment in 2018 and our highest achieving score for a law firm reaccreditation in 2020, the NES standard is an accolade of which we are incredibly proud

Ina Simon

Foot Anstey HR Director

The benefits

The benefits are endless

  • Meticulous

    Provides detailed, specific and bespoke recommendations

  • Inclusive

    Industry agnostic - relevant & applicable regardless of sector and size

  • Trusted

    Collectively developed and tested by an external board. The confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and The Home Office were involved in its development and launch

  • Insightful

    Unique insight obtained from our breadth of client experience, with over 400 organisations across different industries and sectors having used the framework

  • Authentic

    Globally applicable registered trademark

  • Robust

    Involves a robust process examining policies and practices

  • Responsible

    A holistic standard covering all nine protected characteristics, and additionally social mobility, culture and legal compliance

Our Approach

Designed to be accessible

NES assessment journey

    1

  • Scoping

  • 2

  • Evidence gathering and review

  • 3

  • Interviews, focus groups and survey

  • 4

  • Final report and action plan

Case Studies

Our Work

NATIONAL EQUALITY STANDARD

Developed by business for business

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