Responsible Business Brief - January

Welcome to the first edition of the ‘Responsible Business Brief' in 2025 – our monthly roundup of essential updates curated by Business in the Community (BITC), the UK's leading responsible business network.

?? Don’t forget to subscribe to future updates for a concise digest of what you need to know.

?? Top new BITC resources for your organisation

?? Discover how businesses can transform workforce development by bridging the skills gap. Our factsheet offers strategic insights into supporting young people's learning and career preparation. Learn how your organisation can benefit.

? Did you know that 15-20% of employees are likely neurodivergent, yet only 60% of organisations focus on neuro-inclusion? Our new Neurodiversity at Work guide offers practical insights on creating a more inclusive workplace.

?? Explore a year of workplace wellbeing transformation in our new insights report. Since October 2023, our Workwell Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) has reshaped organisational wellbeing strategies across the UK and positively impacted over 1 million lives. Discover how.

??Ready to future-proof your workforce? Our free guide helps you become an age-friendly employer. With 1/3 of the UK workforce aged 50+, it's essential to act now.

?? Discover the critical benefits of gender diversity in our latest briefing with Oxera Consulting LLP . Learn how gender diversity enhances commercial outcomes. Download now and empower your organisation.

?? Top new BITC resources for your organisation

?? Following our Seeing Is Believing visit in Brent, 15 employers are stepping up to create opportunities for ethnically diverse young people through our Pioneer Programme. Part of a wider partnership with Youth Futures Foundation , we're aiming to empower talent. Read the full story.

? Applications are still open for The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2025 – but hurry! Amplify your public profile, show your commitment to gender equity, and get expert advice on your policies. Learn more and apply before 7 February.

?? Keen to enhance progression for ethnically diverse employees? We've run Cross-organisational Mentoring Circles (COMC) for a decade. Help us create more inclusive workplaces and unlock potential for Black, Asian, and Mixed Race talent. Join our 2025 cohort.

?? We’re pleased to announce our Responsible AI Lab launching this year! We’ll collaborate with business, academia, & government to create the first Responsible AI Blueprint - offering key actions and case studies for integrating AI responsibly. Interested? Email [email protected]

??Millions of unpaid carers go unnoticed. Our Let's Care Together programme with Simplyhealth shows how businesses can support them through meaningful volunteering. Steve, a carer facing a health scare, found help through a befriender. Read his inspiring story.

?? ICYMI. Launched at the end of 2024, our Impact Report, ‘Leading with Purpose’ reveals how we're breaking down barriers, empowering employees, fighting food insecurity, transforming communities & more!

?? Key upcoming BITC events

We have a plethora of events this month covering a wide variety of responsible business issues. You'll find our full calendar here. Below are some featured events that are open to all.

?? ?Climate Action – How To Decarbonise Your Business (31 January). Join us at Toyota Motor Corporation ’s Deeside Engine Plant to discuss what businesses can do to reduce impact on the environment.

?? Inclusive Recruitment Event – Wrexham (5 February). Learn of the benefits to your business in adopting inclusive recruitment processes to tap into the talents of a diverse workforce.

?? Let’s Care Together – Programme Introduction for Employers (5 & 19 February). This webinar is for employers and wellbeing leads to introduce our new virtual befriending initiative to support carers’ wellbeing.

?? Opening Doors Forum: The Role of Hiring Managers (6 February). Join other Opening Doors signatories to share challenges, learnings, experience and best practice on opening doors to diverse talent.

?? RCT Place Launch Event (6 February). Join us to launch our latest Place programme in Wales! BITC’s Rhondda Cynon Taff Place Programme facilitates meaningful connections between businesses, communities, and local councils to reset economic ambitions and collaborate on innovative solutions that will deliver long-term, transformative impact.

?? Race at Work Charter Surgery (11 February). Join this event to learn more about insights from the Race at Work Charter survey, as well as the Diverse and Inclusive Supply Chain.

?That's it, you're up to speed! Thanks for reading.

If you enjoyed this content, please consider sharing this newsletter with your network by hitting the 'share' button!

About Business in the Community

We bring together business leaders committed to changing business, transforming lives and helping the planet and communities thrive. We work with thousands of business leaders, and our network represents over 7 million people — more than 20% of the UK workforce. Over the last few years, we have benefitted nearly 10 million people - transforming lives in nine of the most deprived places in the country.

?? Tired of business as usual? Join a movement where profit and purpose go hand in hand. Explore the many benefits of joining BITC, and reach out to us to learn how we can build a fairer and greener world together.

Want more...?

?? Subscribe here to ensure you don't miss a future update.

You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates delivered straight to your inbox.

?? Enjoy your content in audio format? Check out our Responsible Business podcast ‘The Lens’.