First Rate is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity in its workforce.  We aim to create a culture that respects and values each other’s differences, that promotes dignity, equity, and inclusion to encourage individuals to develop and maximise their true potential.

We monitor our Employee Diversity Data, as well as surveying Employees annually, to gather insight and feedback around Inclusion at First Rate. This helps us address areas for improvement, to ensure all employees can thrive at work.

Initiatives completed or underway include:

• Training on ED&I. We have mandated relevant e-learning sessions to all employees, related directly to feedback from employees. In addition, we provide access to events, articles, videos, external speakers and offer a platform for employees to share their stories if they wish to.
• Focus on ED&I by the Shareholders Board and Executive Committee. A new, senior role was created in 2022 to help drive the focus on the ED&I agenda; sponsored by our Chief Executive Officer with monthly updates given on the Exec Team meeting and in Senior Leader events. The Executive Directors are taking part in a Reciprocal Mentoring Programme, launched in 2024.
• Diversity at senior levels in the business. This is improving but still work in progress.  Our recruitment process has been reviewed, and our people strategy for 202/25 continues to focus on development and retention of existing employees, as well as training for new managers along with the continued work on how we attract a wider spectrum of individuals to apply for positions here at First Rate.
• Employee Network Resource Group and other Employee Support Groups. We have established a volunteer employee network resource group called ‘Umbrella’ to generate and listen to employee feedback with the view to influence senior leaders. In addition, we have support groups, run by employees, for example those impacted by Menopause, or Parents of SEND Children.
• Charity and Community Action. We have partnered with a London based, social mobility charity, Future Frontiers since 2022. Our volunteer employees work with representatives from the charity to provide career coaching to Year 10 school pupils to help engage them with their GCSE studies.

For corporate charity support, we currently partner with Just a Drop. Just a Drop brings sustainable safe water, sanitation, and hygiene projects to communities, transforming lives. First Rate currently sponsor 2 projects in Kenya, Kalaani Secondary School along with Matiani Girls’ School. These projects will see initiatives such as rainwater harvesting to provide access to clean water, and hygiene education to help prevent disease.