Following KPMG’s strong performance in the inaugural ranking of UK’s top-performing businesses for social mobility, Melanie Richards, Vice Chair of KPMG in the UK, calls social mobility the critical social issue of our time.
Following KPMG’s strong performance in the inaugural ranking of UK’s top-performing businesses for social mobility, Melanie Richards, Vice Chair of KPMG in the UK, calls social mobility the critical social issue of our time.
“Social mobility is no longer just a matter of fairness but an economic necessity. The publication of this new ranking couldn’t be timelier. We know that the UK is one of the least socially mobile countries in the OECD. And the Brexit vote, followed by the outcome of the general election earlier this month, have shone a light on some of the social divisions that we as a country face. So social mobility and the geography of disadvantage will rise up the political agenda.
“Simply put, we are failing to make the most of our people – and for Britain to compete on a global stage, particularly once it leaves the EU, we need the talent in every part of our society to shine.”
KPMG has taken a leading role on social mobility for some time – walking the walk not just talking the talk. At the end of last year, the firm became the first UK business to publish comprehensive data on the socio-economic makeup of its workforce. The move was a key component in KPMG’s strong showing in today’s Index, says Melanie Richards.
“What gets measured, gets managed. By tracking and publishing this data, KPMG’s aim is to ensure the firm is held to account and that the leadership takes positive and decisive action on these issues rather than simply paying them lip service.”
For KPMG, this is another key milestone after the firm won a Queen’s Award earlier this year for its work on promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Melanie Richards said:
“We are all delighted to see KPMG achieve second place in the Index today. It is recognition of the work our people do across the UK, often quietly and behind the scenes, to ensure our profession is more open and accessible to everyone.
“However it is far from a case of ‘job done’. We will redouble our efforts so more people from diverse backgrounds feel our firm and businesses like ours are places they can reach their full potential, no matter where they started out.”
David Johnston, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, said:
“All the Top 50 firms in the Social Mobility Employer Index should be applauded for the progress they are making towards ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to get in and get on – regardless of their background. They should be congratulated both for having prioritised social mobility and for being prepared to have their processes and practices independently scrutinised.”
KPMG’s top five tips for businesses looking to improve the socio-economic makeup of their workforce are:
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Notes to editor:
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Louis Clark, KPMG Senior PR Manager
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M: +44 (0) 7770 644 382
E: louis.clark@kpmg.co.uk
KPMG Press Office
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About KPMG
KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, operates from 22 offices across the UK with approximately 13,500 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a revenue of £2.07 billion in the year ended 30 September 2016. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. It operates in 155 countries and has 189,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.
The Social Mobility Employer Index
The Index questionnaire has been developed in consultation with, and following feedback from social mobility experts and major employers. Categories include: