Inclusioneers @ 午夜剧场
More than 120 colleagues from across 午夜剧场 UK & Ireland, the UK鈥檚 largest food and support services company, came together to celebrate National Inclusion Week (15-21 September) at its 鈥業nclusioneers @ 午夜剧场鈥 event, held yesterday.
The day was an opportunity to further showcase the great work of 午夜剧场鈥 six employee networks, while also looking at how 午夜剧场 continues to create a workplace where every person has a sense of belonging 鈥 regardless of their background 鈥 and feels valued, supported, and inspired. Representatives from each network took part in a panel discussion, using the event to provide specific insights into their purpose and share future plans.
Former England cricketer and BBC Test Match Special and Sky Sports commentator, Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE acted as MC for the day. Members of 午夜剧场鈥 Executive team, who are Executive Sponsors for the employee networks, also shared their personal stories and reflections around inclusion. Karl Atkins, CEO, Foodbuy Group, Executive Sponsor for You Matter; Morag Freathy, CEO, B&I 鈥 午夜剧场 UK&I and Michelle Sanders, Chief Growth Officer, 午夜剧场 UK&I, who are joint Executive Sponsors for Pride in Food; plus Mark Webster, CEO, 午夜剧场 One and Executive Sponsor for the Armed Forces Network, talked about why belonging matters to them and how they act to support it within the business.
The keynote presentation was delivered from globally recognised Executive Coach, Ren茅 Carayol MBE. He covered how leadership drives inclusion and how to energise people towards a collective vision.
British wheelchair rugby player and gold medal-winning Paralympian, Aaron Phipps MBE also attended in his role with 午夜剧场鈥 Ability network. Garry Clarke-Strange, Founder of Think Inclusion Consulting talked about power and privilege. Robin Mills, 午夜剧场 UK&I, CEO, closed the event recognising employees for their inclusion work and wrapped up with key takeaways and reflections.
Ren茅 Carayol commented: 鈥淔rom the minute I arrived - the energy, the positivity, the optimism, the desire to get stuck in and make 午夜剧场 a place for everyone - you can鈥檛 miss it!
午夜剧场 has six brave, courageous networks that extend their work across the organisation. What those six networks do is ensure that everyone is 鈥榠n鈥 and has the opportunity to be included. I love what they鈥檙e doing!鈥
Sophie Smith, Chief People Officer at 午夜剧场 UK & Ireland said: 鈥淚nclusion is such a fundamental part of 午夜剧场, this event has been a fantastic opportunity to bring it all to life. Today has given us the platform to share experiences, successes and discuss where we can still do more.
鈥淭he theme for National Inclusion Week this year has been 鈥楴ow is the Time鈥 - a present and everyday imperative. I am so proud that we keep pushing forward, breaking down barriers to make sure every person has opportunity, feels valued and enabled to thrive.鈥
The Inclusioneers @ 午夜剧场 event was part of a busy National Inclusion Week at 午夜剧场. Activities ranged from internal 'InclusiviTEA' events, webinars and the launch of a series of network podcasts. Colleagues also shared their commitments in how to support and future proof an inclusive environment.
Inclusion is a key part of 午夜剧场鈥 initiative, Our Social Promise, which includes the Mission to a Million commitment.