60 second interview — Mark Reynolds, Group Chief Executive, Mace Group
As part of our plans to drive forward a more inclusive vision of doing business in London, we’ve launched a series of short interviews to find out what some of our members are doing to improve inclusion and diversity (I&D) within their own organisations.
We hear from Mark Reynolds, Group Chief Executive of global consultancy and construction firm Mace, which launched a new strategy devoted to I&D in September 2020.
Q: Why is having an inclusive and diverse working environment so important?
It’s essential that we champion inclusion and diversity across all businesses, something we are particularly conscious of within the construction industry.
Q: What has your career journey highlighted for you in terms of the value of embracing diversity?
I received diversity training in 2006 when working on the London 2012 Olympic games programme with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). It helped take diversity and inclusion to a whole new level, which resulted in a much better working environment. Since then, I have brought these principles into Mace, building and developing them over the past ten years. As a result, our business is much more balanced and has a greater awareness of the different issues and opportunities.
Q: What was the spur for your business in becoming more proactive on I&D?
The London 2012 Olympic games marked the beginning of our journey to becoming more aware and engaged as a business.
Q: When it comes to improving diversity at a senior level, what does your company do to support people from under-represented groups in their journey to the top?
We have six employee network groups that are all sponsored by a Mace Executive Board Director: LGBTQ+ (Pride at Mace), Ethnicity and Culture, Gender, Disability, Military, and Parents.
Q: What are the most innovative steps your company has taken on I&D?
I wouldn’t say that we’re especially innovative, but we are working hard to apply the very best practices. Changing the culture is a constant challenge, and unless we focus on the numbers, things won’t happen.
Q: Are there any other companies that you feel are at the forefront of this journey?
The Big Four accountancy companies are the ones I tend to follow: Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC. We are also members of WISE and Stonewall, which help our teams share information and learning.
Q: What is a key piece of advice for companies just starting their inclusion and diversity journeys?
Be inquisitive, as there are many companies to learn from. Finally, make it fun. Our Pride group ignited our networks and showed how they could make a difference without making it a battle.
You can find out more about Diversity & Inclusion at Mace here, plus an article on diversity and inclusion from the BSI.
London First is on a mission to keep London at the forefront of global business, working with and for the whole UK. If you’re interested in becoming a member or want to find out more about our sponsorship activities, get in touch with us today.