It will benefit us all to create a more inclusive world

The industry taskforce set up to address some of the issues highlighted in AMI’s findings promises to be an important step on the journey to a more inclusive environment, and at Accord we’re really proud to be supporting this work. But there’s still much more that needs to be done, for a host of reasons, though none more important than making sure everyone – be it colleagues or clients – feels respected, welcomed and understood.

One in four

People from all backgrounds can face prejudice, inequality and discrimination. You may have experienced it yourself, know someone who has or be in the privileged position to not understand what this would feel like. Either way, findings from mortgage industry respondents last year provided much food for thought, and I’d urge you to read or remind yourself of the work AMI published. It’s a stark reality for many colleagues and peers when one in four people say they don’t feel accepted in the industry. It’s one in four too many and a reminder that we all have a vital role to play.

Many may think they’re supporting colleagues and creating a culture that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion – but how do you know if you haven’t stopped to really try and understand the world of those around you, the challenges they may face and the support they could need?

What can feel like a sensitive area of business, will only ever be so if we’re not confident enough to discuss it openly and with positive intent.

Business benefits

According to many studies, embedding a culture built on equality, diversity and inclusion proves to have far reaching benefits. Positive outcomes for colleague morale, talent development, attraction and retention all noted, as well as profitability and reduced absence.

People from different backgrounds will all have their own unique perspectives to bring to the table and should feel able to comfortably present solutions and ideas that may not otherwise be considered. Colleagues with psychological safety will be more likely to challenge positively, and doing so without fear of being judged is proven to encourage further innovation and support that can make your business better for all.

Your clients too can benefit from better cultures. As a broker, you want to deliver the best possible customer experience, and businesses that internally reflect the local areas and the communities they serve are not only best placed to advise, but they can also help people to feel understood which can improve interactions.

Building better cultures

At Accord we champion inclusion at every level and we’re working hard to make sure we’re creating and nurturing a culture where everyone feels safe to be themselves. That’s not just internally either; we want our own people, but also brokers and those we work with, to be their best selves as we work together, and that can only be possible by building open communication, trust and respect.

The launch of our Inclusion and Diversity Partnership Charter - which sets out our approach to unacceptable behaviour and discrimination, with clear expectations for all and defined routes for inappropriate behaviour to be called out and acted upon – reinforces that.

But we also want to encourage more people to join us and the many others trying to drive the industry forward to create better environments for all in the mortgage industry.

There are so many resources available to help brokers take positive action – we’ve recently launched the first of many guides with our free Accord Growth Series content – I’d encourage you to make time to educate yourself, equip your team with the confidence to challenge past perceptions and really embrace all that equality, diversity and inclusion stands for.

It should never have been, nor must it ever be, just a box ticking exercise. It should be integral to how you run your business, and as individuals we’re all responsible for driving the change the industry knows it needs.