Year in Review: Novuna's Colleague Communities Journey of Progress

Our communities have become fundamental pillars of support, driving significant benefits for our business. Run by our colleagues, for our colleagues, they work with our Diversity Leadership Council (DLC) of five Novuna ExCo members and meet regularly to look at how we can tackle the challenges that different groups of colleagues face. From fostering collaboration and sparking innovation to enhancing allyship and wellbeing, we look at the impact our communities have had on our business over the past year.

Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN)

“From Smart Works to STEM talks, the Women In Finance Charter to Women in Tech, our WIN community has focused on areas that help women to progress and achieve more,” says Group Marketing Director and ExCo sponsor for Gender Theresa Lindsey. “We’re seeing a positive shift in our business, with more women moving into senior management roles – up 5% in the last two years, because of our commitment to gender equality. And with Kim Oldham, our community lead, and our colleagues across the business we’ll continue to #InvestInWomen.”

Colleague Ability Network (CAN)

“Novuna has joined the Government’s Disability Confident Scheme and the Business Disability Forum, aiming to become a Disability Confident Employer,” says CAN Co-Lead Zoe Kitching. “Our collaborations with ExCo Sponsor John Shiels and teams across the business are seeking to integrate accessibility considerations into everyday operations."

"We are reviewing physical access requirements to all of our buildings to better accommodate individuals with disabilities.”

“Additionally, we are reviewing physical access requirements to all of our buildings to better accommodate individuals with disabilities," says CAN Co-Lead Lisa McEvoy. "Over the past year, CAN have made charitable donations to the ADHD Foundation and Scope, and organised an impactful awareness week, featuring articles and interviews with colleagues who shared their personal experiences with disabilities.”

Multicultural

"With 46 community members and seven active ambassadors, we've led various events including a Ramadan challenge, Taste of Harmony event, Windrush stories, Black History Month panel session, and initiatives like the Sober Curious Society,” says Multicultural Community Co-Lead Farah Shippam.

“Now we have signed the Race at Work Charter to further promote racial equality in the workplace through accountability, transparency, and action-driven initiatives, we're aligning our action plan for this next year with the charter to further our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“You can also expect further support from our charity partner City of Sanctuary with lots of volunteering and information-sharing opportunities. Says Co-lead Amanda Summers.

“We enjoy working with and supporting the amazing staff at City of Sanctuary across the UK. They do fantastic work supporting refugees living in the UK. We have helped so far by raising funds, clothing, and equipment donations as well as volunteering at one of the donation hubs. We’ve learned a lot about the incredible work they do, who they support and the constant challenges they face. We’re looking forward to seeing this relationship develop further in the coming months.’

 Wellbeing

The Wellbeing community have raised awareness, held various workshops to support colleagues over the past year, and raised funds for charity partner Mind. “Good health is probably the most important thing in life,” says Wellbeing Community Lead Duvita Selli. “It is important for us as a business to support our colleagues with their wellbeing, whether that’s physical, emotional, or financial.

“We consistently look at trends regarding common illnesses and mental health issues at certain times of the year, as well as what the financial situation is across the UK, and as a community, we work together to get the relevant information to employees, and where we can, try to go that step further by getting professionals in to educate us on the topics.”

GenLink

Our new multigenerational community, now named 'GenLink’, relaunched in January and, with 76 members already, is working to forge links across the different generations working at Novuna, recognising that each generation has its challenges in the workplace.

Exco Sponsor Andy Dodd and co-leads Kate Newport and Aimee Raseta have lots of plans for the upcoming year including education, reverse mentoring, raising awareness and contribution to their charity partner Re-engage, developing ‘sub generations’ allowing employees to connect with others in their self-identified generation, and lots more.

PRISM

PRISM celebrated pride month in June and worked with Chief Information Officer Nick Broughton, also ExCo Sponsor for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, to write a blog post for our external careers site about the importance of allyship and inclusivity. “I’m delighted to be an active ally to our LGBTQ+ community here at Novuna,” says Nick.

“Novuna recognises and can see the power of encouraging and supporting its diverse communities. We know that we are more successful as a business, and we grow stronger together with shared knowledge and understanding. I would encourage anyone from the LGBTQ + community to consider working at Novuna.”

Charity and Volunteering

“There are 16 colleagues who actively work behind the scenes that support you in organising volunteering days as well as delivering the charity and fundraising events you see taking place across the year. Without them we wouldn’t have events like the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning or the opportunity to cycle our way through miles for MND,” says Sustainability Communication and Charity Manager Elaine Wilmott. “Fundraising and volunteering are open to all colleagues, and we’d love to see you supporting the charities that matter most to you this year.”

To learn more about our colleague communities as well as our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, click the link here.

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