Countless studies across the world have shown that organisations with diverse workforces do better, whether thatis through financial performance or driving innovation. But, for me, it is just common sense. By having people from different backgrounds and cultures, we get different perspectives on how we can better understand and serve our customers and that means we can provide great banking to more people.
Six years ago, we had the unique position at TSB to start afresh and launch a new bank. And right from the start, we set out to build TSB as a bank that lives and breathes a different, inclusive culture. Where everyone working for us is a partner in our business and is treated as such.
We knew having the right culture would be key to our success. Inclusive cultures make people feel valued whatever their ethnicity, gender or background. And when people feel valued, they add value to our business and make a positive difference for our customers.
I’m incredibly proud to be TSB’s executive sponsor for ethnicity. And earlier this year I was delighted to sign up to the Race at Work Charter, cementing our commitment in this area. From unconscious bias training, to supporting our black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) partners with their career progression through external mentoring schemes, such as Business in the Community (BITC) and Empower, we are doing a lot to both increase the number of Bame employees we have, and to support them in reaching their potential.
But I also think it is really important to build a pipeline for the future by raising the aspirations of Bame students and their families. Recently I was delighted to get involved with an internship programme where 91% of candidates are from Bame backgrounds. It is not just the interns who learnt a lot from their time at TSB. They brought with them a fresh perspective that we also gained a lot from, and I am really looking forward to doing more of this in the future.
Jatin Patel is products director and executive sponsor for ethnicity at TSB