In an ever-changing world of work, it’s important to make sure that our work is underpinned by a strong culture. Our culture and values define how we strive for success and provide us with the tools to achieve that success. Over the last year, we have undergone a significant process of change, and the modernisation of our culture has been led by our Chief People Officer, Katie Obi. We have changed the way we work, and this has made us stronger.
Starting from strong principles
At OneAdvanced, we have always been committed to doing the right thing for our people and communities. We have seen the power of building a more diverse and inclusive workplace, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are now focusing on putting the right policies in place to make that possible.
One of our key practices is our reporting on pay gaps across our business. We began the process in 2017, in line with UK legislation requiring reporting on gender pay gaps, and we went further from 2019 onwards. We have reported on a range of demographics to produce our annual Diversity Pay Gap Report. This has allowed us to be more focused and direct in how we tackle inequalities, which has been reflected in our successes.
Community engagement has always been a core part of our ethos. From supporting local schools to organising charity events, we've actively contributed to bettering society through our communities. We are committed to both supporting our communities today and supporting the innovators of the future.
A new set of values
With our relaunch as OneAdvanced, we've committed to a fresh set of values that reflect our renewed focus and direction. These values are designed to guide our actions and decisions, ensuring that we stay true to our mission.
Curious
We believe in fostering a culture of learning that promotes an entrepreneurial mindset and encourages growth. By being curious, we constantly seek new knowledge and innovative solutions that drive our success.
Accountable
Accountability is at the heart of everything we do. Each employee is empowered to take ownership of their responsibilities and deliver high-quality outcomes. This sense of accountability ensures that we remain dedicated to our goals.
Connected
Meaningful relationships are key to mutual success and growth. We strive to create connections that foster collaboration, understanding, and shared achievements. Being connected means working together as a unified team.
Integrity
Integrity is non-negotiable. We prioritise honesty, transparency, and ethical behaviour in all our interactions. Our unwavering commitment to integrity ensures that we consistently deliver excellence.
Success for our people
Our efforts to modernise our culture have yielded impressive results, particularly in terms of diversity and inclusion. Our latest Diversity Pay Gap Report shows significant progress:
- Reduced Gender Pay Gaps: Our gender pay gaps are now far below industry averages, reflecting our dedication to reducing inequality in the workplace.
- Increased LGBTQ+ Representation: We've surpassed national averages in LGBTQ+ representation, creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Women in Leadership: The number of women in leadership roles has increased, empowering more women to bring greater diversity to our decision-making.
These achievements were recently recognised when we were named one of the top 15 mid-sized companies to work for in the UK. This accolade is a testament to the positive changes we've implemented and the thriving culture we've cultivated.
Success for our communities
Our commitment to positive change extends beyond our organisation. Over the past year, we've delivered strong opportunities for our communities through a range of activities.
We have become a close partner to local education providers such as Birmingham Metropolitan College. We have been able to offer work placements that support students’ T-level studies, as well as providing valuable experience for their careers in the future. We also invited students to get involved in our Hackathon events, where teams of experts work together to create innovative solutions to problems. At OneAdvanced, we believe in powering the next generation of innovators, and we are proud to have made a difference for these young people.
We have been a patron of the Prince’s Trust since 2017, and this has given us the opportunity to provide even more support to young people. The Prince’s Trust provides opportunities for disadvantaged young people to access education and work, allowing them to build a better future. We are extremely proud of how we have supported them over the past year, both as a patron and through the charity work our people have done.
We have also been able to make charitable contributions in our local community, through our partner Wowdot CIC. We donate computers to local people through our partnership, which gives more people access to digital technology – a hugely important factor in the modern world. We are also extremely proud of our people who have dedicated over a thousand hours in the past year to volunteering and fundraising for important causes in their communities.
Proving our commitment
Our commitment to fostering a positive culture at OneAdvanced is evident through various certifications and accolades.
Stonewall Diversity Champion
We are proud to be a Stonewall Diversity Champion, ensuring a safer and more inclusive workplace for the LGBTQ+ community. This recognition reflects our dedication to promoting diversity and acceptance.
Endometriosis-Friendly Employer
Our accreditation as an Endometriosis-Friendly Employer by Endometriosis UK showcases our efforts to support employees affected by endometriosis and tackle associated stigma. We are committed to providing a supportive environment for all our staff.
Disability Confident Employer
Last year, we achieved the status of Disability Confident Employer, underlining our commitment to supporting disabled employees. We aim to reach the higher status of Disability Confident Leader in the coming year, further enhancing our support for our colleagues with disabilities.
Over the past year, we have achieved a complete revival of our culture. With new values, and a new commitment to bettering society, we have been able to make a very positive difference. To learn more about our progress, and our vision for the future, read the OneAdvanced Societal Report 2023.