We aim to build a diverse workforce and foster an inclusive culture where we’re all supported and encouraged to be our best every day.
Where we are
We’re striving to be a company where everyone – our colleagues, customers and communities - feels valued, welcomed and that they belong. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made so far and we know have more work to do. Some of the biggest assets we have are our eight colleague networks - with over 10,000 members, they continue to be instrumental in driving an even more diverse and inclusive M&S. Lots done, lots to do, and lots of opportunity.
Where we're going
We’re ambitious and will always aim higher to ensure M&S is a place where everyone can be themselves and be at their best so that we can all win together. I&D is a key part of our Business and People Strategies - and we’re committed to hold ourselves to account and be clear on what we stand for. That’s why the priority focus for us is to drive collective accountability to be curious, learn from each other and do what’s right.
To help us do this, and to measure our progress, we have a framework of commitments, KPI’s, objectives and targets which we review and report on regularly.
Our recent achievements
While we're fully focused on the work we still need to do, our colleagues have worked really hard to deliver some significant moments that we're really proud of.
RISE Programme
Our RISE (Recognising In-store Experience) programme is helping to promote diverse talent already within our business, offering them exposure to the many different functions within M&S.
Straight to Stuart
Our suggestion scheme allows colleagues to submit ideas to improve our business straight to our CEO, Stuart Machin. Over 15,000 ideas have been generated so far and we have implemented more than 500, driving growth, innovation and efficiency.
30% Club
We’ve been partnering with the 30% Club, an organisation committed to increasing representation of women on UK boards. Most recently, we’ve been opening up our schemes to all underrepresented groups.
Our M&S networks were started by our people, for our people and are supported by our central Inclusion & Diversity team. They are a great way to meet new colleagues, and offer us the chance to be curious, to listen and learn from others. They also amplify the colleagues voice, helping us understand the experiences of our colleagues and identify opportunities to drive progress together, However you identify, our networks are open and welcoming to all, including champions, allies and supporters.
LGBTQ+ Network
Proactively representing LGBTQ+ issues and opportunities to deliver a truly inclusive place to work and shop for our colleagues and customers.
Gender Equality Network
Addressing gender-related challenges, raising awareness, and driving action to ensure equal opportunities for all.
Forces Community Network
Supporting colleagues connected to the Armed Forces, aiding their transition to civilian life, and ensuring that they thrive in the workplace.
Culture and Heritage Network
Raising awareness of various religions and cultures through events and comms, to educate others and better represent our M&S colleagues and customers.
Health and Wellbeing Network
Providing a safe space for colleagues with all types of health conditions or disabilities and supporting with business initiatives to ensure our stores are truly accessible for our customers.
Family & Carers Network
A support network for parents and carers, offering a space for colleagues to share experiences, exchange ideas, and access useful resources.
Menopause Network
Initiating and encouraging open conversations about menopause by offering support and sharing experiences.
Cancer Network
Fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, addressing stigma, providing guidance and raising awareness to empower and assist colleagues affected by cancer.
We’re committed to taking meaningful action, which is why we partner with industry leaders who challenge us to be the best we can be for our colleagues and communities we serve.
Moving ahead
Moving Ahead is a social enterprise that helps organisations create inclusive workplaces through mentoring, leadership development and speaker events.
We're a Disability Confident Employer
We strive to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace. We’re recognised as a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). This assesses how we recruit and develop our people, through the lens of disability.
Armed Forces Covenant (Gold Status)
This is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve, or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. We support their pledges including:
- Promoting the fact that we are an armed forces friendly organisation by effectively publicising the Covenant
- Seeking to support the employment of service leavers and veterans young and old
- Seeking to support our colleagues who choose to be members of the Reserve forces
- Supporting the Royal British Legion's nationwide Poppy Appeal in November
Business in the Community
We support the Business in the Community Race at Work charter’s five calls to action to ensure ethnic minority colleagues are represented at all levels within business. These include appointing an Executive Sponsor for race, committing at board level to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying, and taking actions that support the career progression of our ethic minority colleagues.
We're a carers confident employer
We're actively listening to what matters to our colleagues, as we continue to build our family time policies. We've successfully achieved our Carers Confident Level 1 certificate, demonstrating that we will support all carers across our business. It also shows our understanding of the legal rights of carers at M&S, and helps colleagues recognise themselves as carers, so we can provide practical support and assist them in combining their work and caring responsibilities.
Evenbreak
In our mission to attract more disabled candidates, we've enlisted the help of Evenbreak, whose mission is ensuring disabled people have the same opportunities and choices to enter, progress and thrive in the world of work as non-disabled people. We're passionate about being an inclusive place to work, and this partnership helps us attract more disabled candidates.
Diversity Jobs Group
Diversity Jobs Group is a suite of 10 unique job boards dedicated to promoting Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, helping us as we strive to attract and recruit a truly diverse workforce.
Diversity in Grocery (DiG)
Diversity in Grocery (DiG) support businesses across the grocery sector to be real change makers and accelerate a truly diverse and inclusive industry. The DiG programme was created for the industry, by the industry, to support its 2.6 million employees.
WiHTL
WiHTL’s mission is to support companies across Hospitality, Travel, Leisure, and Retail to create diverse and inclusive environments and to positively impact 5 million employees globally by 2030.
Radius
Operating globally, Radius helps employers to develop their colleague networks, resource groups and communities by offering a complete range of programmes and services to invest in networks and support them align with the broader DEI ecosystem.
Business Disability Forum
Business Disability Forum (BDF) are the leading business membership organisation in disability inclusion. They work in partnership with business, Government, and disabled people to remove barriers to inclusion.
Pride in the City
Pride in the City are a non-profit organisation who are dedicated to advancing equality and diversity by raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and advocating for the freedoms that will enable everyone to live their lives on equal footing.
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Marks & Start
Marks & Start is our programme that provides training and employability skills to people facing barriers to employment. This is an important part of supporting under-represented groups into work and help them progress to senior roles.
We welcome applications from refugees and offer a wide range of vacancies across the UK. We recognise the challenges that refugees can face when trying to find work. That's one of the reasons why we provide the opportunities as well as the support that is needed to help you settle into your role with us.
Empowering change in Supply Chain: Meet Aisha Aslam
For International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating Aisha Aslam, Inventory Manager in Clothing & Home. Through reverse mentoring and colleague development, Aisha is helping to create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, we sat down with Lycrecia, Senior Project Manager in Supply Chain & Logistics, to learn more about her career journey, the challenges she’s overcome, and why she thinks M&S is a fantastic place for women to build their career.
