First Response awarded Inclusive Employers Standard Bronze status

October 13, 2022

First Response Group (FRG) has been awarded Bronze status in the Inclusive Employers Standard for its commitment towards creating an inclusive workplace, making it the first security and FM solutions company in the UK to achieve such recognition.

The Inclusive Employers Standard (IES) is an evidence-based, objective, accreditation tool for assessing and promoting inclusion in the workplace and awards those meeting the Inclusive Employers Standard with accreditation. The assessment consists of 35 questions covering all the protected characteristics and wider I&D themes arranged over Inclusive Employers’ six pillars of inclusion Engage, Equip, Empower, Embed, Evaluate and Evolve across all areas of the business.

Leeds based First Response Group provides specialist security, risk and facilities management solutions to private and public sector clients across a wide range of industries including construction, utilities and infrastructure, commercial property management, industrial and manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality.

As an ACS Pacesetter, First Response Group is ranked in the top 15% of firms accredited by the Security Industry Authority’s ‘Approved Contractor Scheme’ and holds 4 coveted NSI (National Security Inspectorate) Gold accreditations – most rigorous inspection for businesses operating in the security industry – recognising the business’s dedication to quality, safety and professionalism.

In 2021 FRG was named a Living Wage Champion at The Living Wage Foundation Awards for its commitment to setting a new standard for employee welfare and developing career pathways in the security and service industries.

Simon Alderson, FRG CEO, comments: “Our mission is to cultivate a culture of inclusion and happiness where all employees feel part of the team, contribute positively to company development and share in our successes. Being awarded Inclusive Employers Standard Bronze status recognises the significant progress we have made on our inclusivity journey so far and the dedication shown by our teams. Our approach to diversity and inclusion coupled with our work with the Living Wage Foundation helps us attract, develop and retain the best talent, ensuring we deliver exceptional customer experiences.”

Rupert Moyne, Managing Director of Corporate Services at Inclusive Employers said: “Huge congratulations to all the amazing organisations who took part in the latest round of the Inclusive Employers Standard. Participants were at all stages in their workplace inclusion journey from just starting out to returning organisations looking to progress to a higher accreditation level compared to their previous submission. We saw some great results, some first-time submissions from organisations doing some really great work and excellent examples of good practice.”

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