Sustainability LIVE: D&I – The Diversity & Inclusion Forum

December 12, 2024

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Industry leaders explore the evolving role of diversity, equity and inclusion in business at Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion

The Diversity & Inclusion Forum at Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion 2024 brought together industry leaders to discuss the evolving role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in business.

Featuring insights from:

Peter Zapp, Supplier Inclusion & Diversity Client Program Leadat Accenture
Javier López Gómez, Global Head of Corporate Sustainability at SGS Group
Ainur Amanzholova, Head of Talent, Culture and Inclusion at BAT Kazakhstan
Javette Hines, Global Head of Supply Chain Development, Inclusion and Sustainability at Citi

The panel explores strategies for fostering inclusive environments and addressing unconscious bias.

Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion 2024 - Diversity & Inclusion Forum

The importance of DE&I in business

Opening the discussion, the panellists reflect on how DE&I has shifted from a moral imperative to a business necessity.

Peter highlights supply chain diversity’s critical role: “It’s about creating access and ensuring a level playing field for suppliers who wouldn’t traditionally be visible.”

Javier links DE&I to corporate sustainability strategies, noting how regulations and societal expectations are driving a greater focus on inclusion.

Ainur emphasises the correlation between diverse teams and the ability to address volatile challenges.

“Diverse perspectives help solve complex problems,” she says, underlining the strategic advantage of inclusivity.

Peter Zapp (Accenture)

Addressing unconscious bias and fostering teamwork

The conversation shifts to unconscious bias and its impact on decision-making. Javette notes that bias can influence environmental and business decisions, such as favouring well-off communities over underserved ones.

Peter adds that misconceptions about diverse suppliers often stem from biases about their capabilities, which highlights the importance of education and transparent communication.

Promoting inclusivity within teams — the panellists agree — begins with leadership.

Ainur describes role modelling as “the first step to fostering behavioural and mindset change,” while Javier stresses the need for active listening and creating feedback channels.

Javette points to frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals as tools for integrating inclusivity into business practices.

“Inclusivity requires dialogue, education and a commitment to act,” she says.

Peter emphasises the importance of involving stakeholders in policy-making to ensure buy-in and long-term success.

Javier López Gómez (SGS Group)

Overcoming challenges in diverse hiring

The panellists acknowledge that while diverse hiring brings significant benefits it also poses challenges.

Competition for diverse talent is high and attracting candidates often requires partnerships with educational institutions and targeted internship programmes.

“Geographical limitations used to be a barrier, but the pandemic has opened opportunities for remote roles, making it easier to access global talent,” Javette observes.

Peter highlights the need for inclusive policies, such as accessibility initiatives and support for employees who face challenges in their local environments.

Retention – the group notes – is just as important as recruitment.

Companies must create environments where employees feel safe and represented.

Ainur points out the value of diversity-focused policies: “Sometimes small changes, like gender affirmation policies, can have a profound impact on an employee’s ability to thrive.”

Ainur Amanzholova (BAT Kazakhstan)

Practical actions for championing DE&I

To close the session, the panellists shared actionable steps for fostering DE&I:

Start conversations: Peter suggests simply asking colleagues about their experiences to build understanding
Invest in training: Javier calls education “the cornerstone of respect,” recommending unconscious bias training as a starting point
Engage leadership: Ainur stresses that making DE&I part of a company’s strategic agenda ensures lasting impact
Leverage data: Using tools like engagement surveys and KPIs to track progress and identify areas for improvement
Be the change: Javette urges attendees to advocate for inclusivity in their daily roles, saying "each of us can be the change we want to see”.

Javette Hines (Citi)