Our EDI commitment
Igniting Change is more than just an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy; it's a roadmap to creating a better world and a better BHF. We are dedicated to making meaningful changes, ensuring that everyone - our people, supporters, volunteers, researchers, and those affected by heart and circulatory diseases - feels valued and included. We want all our colleagues, volunteers, and supporters to feel comfortable and able to bring their best selves to work.
The strategy’s objectives include evolving our mindset, practices, and accountability to create a more inclusive BHF.
- Embedding an open and inclusive culture at BHF, where everyone can feel that they belong.
- Achieving equity in progression opportunities, to maximise the potential of everyone at BHF.
- Expanding the diversity of BHF's trustees, committee members, colleagues and volunteer community.
We know a more diverse, inclusive, and fair BHF will not only improve the quality of what we do, but the impact we have. We want to make sure our workforce reflects the general population so we can better represent the experiences and voices of the communities we support.
We have been shortlisted for the Inhouse Recruitment Awards 2025 for our Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Strategy.
We are members of the Business Disability Forum. This highlights our commitment to being a disability-smart business.This membership gives us access to advice and support on disability inclusion to remove barriers for disabled employees, volunteers and supporters.
Our EDI progress
Since the launch of Igniting Change, we have made significant strides in our EDI efforts including:
- Introducing a Transitioning at Work policy.
- Recruitment commitment to diversity including anonymised applications and unconscious bias recruitment training for all hiring managers.
- An inclusive and supportive onboarding process for all new colleagues to be able to share any disabilities, long-term medical conditions or other support needs ahead of starting so that adjustments and equipment can be in place from day one.
- Introducing enhanced Paternity Leave and Support Leave.
- Our gender pay gap is 0.7% in favour of men.
- Our ethnicity pay gap is 7.4% in favour of ethnic minoritised staff.
- Meetings Charter to establish working practices we can all commit to when working virtually and flexibly.
Our EDI working group
The Kaleidoscope working group plays a crucial role in driving diversity and inclusion within the organisation.
The Kaleidoscope group is made up of colleagues from across all directorates who are passionate about driving diversity and inclusion at BHF. The group meets bi-monthly to discuss various topics such as celebrating diversity, training opportunities, and ensuring that BHF remains a safe, healthy, and inclusive workplace.
The Kaleidoscope group has been actively involved in several initiatives to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at BHF.
The group emphasises the importance of sharing personal stories and achievements related to EDI efforts to increase awareness and engagement across the organisation.
Our employee networks
Employee networks play a crucial role in supporting the Igniting Change strategy. These are colleague-run networks, providing safe spaces for people across BHF with a shared affinity to come together share experiences and provide support. They also help facilitate listening sessions and provide valuable insights into the experiences of colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
There are currently nine employee led networks across BHF:
- Anti-racism
- Black
- Disability (including Neurodiverse sub-group)
- Gender equality (including Menopause sub-group)
- Jewish
- LGBTQ+
- Muslim
- Parents and carers
- Vegan
Join us
At BHF, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can succeed. We invite you to join us in our mission to help raise funds for lifesaving research and be part of a diverse and inclusive community. Together, we can make a difference.
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