Inclusive Networks launches

Inclusive Networks is launched to celebrate, share and support the work of network groups across all diversity strands

After five years of holding key roles in developing and supporting employee network groups, namely Chairing one of Europe’s largest, most active and awarded networks, The Co-operative’s ‘Respect’ network (2011-March 2014), and spearheading the launch of the UK’s first Inter-Retail lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network ‘checkOUT’, Thomas Anderson is delighted to launch Inclusive Networks. With a key aim of celebrating diversity and inclusion all over the UK and beyond.

Inclusive Networks aims to bring networks representing all diversity strands together, to learn from each other, to share, to collaborate and most importantly, to celebrate the many successes of network groups, the people who make them come alive and the employers and organisations who fuel them and allow them to flourish.

Thomas Anderson, Founder and Chief Executive of Inclusive Networks says, “With more and more employers recognising the value and importance of network groups in the workplace, networks are developing at a rapid pace and having a huge positive impact with influencing business decisions and supporting inclusive workplaces and communities. Coordinated by employees who do the majority of the network group work in their own time, it is only right that their inspiring and selfless work is recognised and celebrated far and wide. It’s important to acknowledge those who coordinate the many professional and Inter-Sector networks doing fantastic work too.”

As part of the launch of their new website www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk is the launch of the UK’s first online magazine for network groups, Network Buzz. Issue one has been published and contains 64 pages of diverse content including profiling the work of many networks, role models, inclusive employers and charities. Also included are interviews with Erasure frontman Andy Bell and Eastenders actress Tanya Franks, and lots more. We invite networks, charities, community groups and employers to share their work with us for inclusion in future issues. 

Thomas added, “With budgets being cut in many organisations, never has there been a more important time for networks and employers to come together to share resources, best practice and to work together with the shared purpose of creating and developing diverse and inclusive workplaces where everyone feels they can be themselves at work (and beyond) and give their all to their role. Having visible networks also makes business sense as we know that job hunters are attracted to employers where they know their differences won’t be a focus and the attention will be on their talent alone. As leading lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall says, ‘People perform better when they can be themselves.’”

Inclusive Networks is also thrilled to launch the UK’s first awards dedicated to the work of network groups, the ‘Inclusive Networks Awards 2015’ as well as opening the nominations for their very own New Years Honours list, the ‘Awesome Network Awards 2015’. Nominations for the fourteen categories ranging from ‘Employee Network of the Year’ to ‘Charity/Community Group Collaboration of the Year’ and ‘Network Event of the Year’ are now open. 

We’re honoured to have such a well respected and authentic judging panel. With thirteen judges (lucky for us) with diverse backgrounds including Claire Harvey (Assistant Director, Youth Sports Trust & Paralympian), John Amaechi OBE (Former NBA Player, Author & MD, Amaechi Performance Systems) and Vanessa Vallely (Founder & MD, We Are The City & Author) we’re looking forward to receiving nominations from all over the UK and from all sectors. 

Thomas says, “What makes these awards different is they celebrate and reward the work of the doers, individuals and teams who show an extraordinary amount of commitment and dedication to supporting employees, the wider community and help influence the views of the wider public on their perception of the organisations they represent through their work. More details about these unique and special awards will be released soon. In the meantime, get nominating and please spread the word.”

Find out more by visiting www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk or by following ‘Inclusive Networks’ and their offshoot ‘OUT in the UK’ on Twitter @IncNetworks and @OUTintheUK

Published: 23-Oct-2014: (2653)