Promoting and supporting a diverse workforce 

As a large employer operating in a number of countries, we believe our success results directly from the experience and quality of our employees. We believe this is best sustained by developing their talents while recognising their differences and benefiting from their unique skills. Where possible, we employ local people and ensure that each workforce reflects the composition of its local community.

Our equality and diversity policy sets out the behaviour we expect from our employees to provide a workplace where people are treated fairly and equally, and are free from all forms of discrimination. We encourage all our employees to complete an online diversity training course, and this is compulsory in businesses regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Our employees are encouraged to complete their ethnic origin on Capitadesktop, our online HR administration system. In 2009, the statistics showed that 17.5% (2008:15.5%)of our employees come from ethnic minorty groups.  

All our HR policies are well established and publicised across the Group, promoting a positive working environment. Our policies comply with or exceed the legal and regulatory requirements in the countries where we operate. They therefore meet UK, European and Indian employment law as well as international human rights legislation, including International Labour Organisation standards.

During 2009 we have continued to hold and promote the diversity champions forum. We use this forum to share and promote best practice amongest our employees, helping to implement our Equality and Diversity policy across the Group. We will continue to increase the network of diversity champions in 2010 and develop a new diversity action plan.

In our employee survey this year, over 90% of employees felt that they were treated fairly regardless of race and ethicity, disability or sexual orientation.