We're working hard to build a more diverse, more equitable and more inclusive M&S where everyone can be at their best and contribute to the success of M&S every day.
Who we are
Our diverse workforce helps power a high-performing, customer-centric culture. It’s important to us that everyone – colleagues, customers, communities and suppliers feel respected and that they can belong at M&S.
Lots done
Our 8 inclusion networks, with over 11,000 members, help to keep us close to colleagues and customers. Sponsored by members of our ExCo team, they work to drive change and challenge the business to progress further.
Lots to do
Whilst we’ve done a lot that we’re proud of, we know there’s more to do. We’ve developed a robust framework of KPI’s to help identify our priorities and measure progress.
Lots of opportunity
We continue to focus on creating shared accountability for inclusion because everyone has a part to play. Current priorities include equipping leaders and removing the barriers colleagues face to contributing to the success of M&S.
Colleague Networks
Our M&S networks were created by our colleagues, for our colleagues, and are supported by our central Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team. They give colleagues a chance to meet people across the business, and offer us opportunities to be curious, to listen and learn from others. However you identify, our networks are open and welcoming to all, including champions, allies, and supporters.
What we’re proud of
While we're fully focused on the work we still need to do, our colleagues have worked really hard to deliver some significant moments that we're really proud of.
- Leading Employer for Women: We set out to become the leading employer for women in retail and made some good progress, being recognised as a Menopause Friendly Employer, enhancing our family friendly policies and strengthening our talent pipelines with strong representation of women in all of our talent pipelines.
- Women leading the way: We set the ambition for 50% of our senior leader roles to be held by women, which we’ve achieved and maintained for over a year now. And for the first time in our history, we have a female majority board too.
- Licence to hire: We’ve launched a new standard of hiring, meaning all colleagues with hiring manager responsibilities need to complete training that prompts them to challenge their biases and questions relating to DE&I are embedded into our interview framework for all roles.
- Moving ahead: Our relationship with Moving Ahead spans a number of years now, seeing hundreds of colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds benefit from inspiring programmes aimed to accelerate the development of some of our best talent.
Policies Supporting You
- Colleague Wellbeing: We're committed to supporting every aspect of your wellbeing, from mental and physical health to financial stability. With expert-led resources, community networks, and dedicated support from recruitment to retirement, we're here to help you feel your best at work and beyond.
- Supporting families at M&S: We know that starting or expanding your family is a really important and exciting time. We're proud to have a range of family-friendly policies to support our colleagues during this period.
