Clarke Telecom Achieves Investors in Diversity Silver
“Our Silver Status is more than an award — it reflects our people, our culture, and our commitment to continuous progress, purposeful inclusion, and empowering every voice.”
Rachael Stanner, Clarke Telecom Head of HR
We are proud to announce that the National Centre for Diversity has awarded Clarke Telecom Investors in Diversity Silver status. This award is a significant milestone in our commitment to embedding Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement (FREDIE) throughout every aspect of our business.
It’s more than meeting a standard; it recognises our people’s dedication and voices, acknowledges the deep cultural evolution within Clarke Telecom, and highlights the collective power of individuals when supported to thrive.
A Journey Led by People,Powered by Culture
Our FREDIE journey began with honest conversations and continued with commitment, and we’ve now reached an exciting new chapter.
From creating our cross-functional FREDIE Forum to introducing unconscious bias training, new inclusive recruitment practices, and expanding our employee assistance and wellbeing programmes, communications and support, we’ve shaped every decision and action with the belief that everyone should feel safe, recognised, and supported.
When interviewed by the National Centre for Diversity, some employee statements included:
“The inclusive culture at Clarke Telecom makes me proud to work here.”
“The Women in Leadership programme is changing my perception of what’s possible.”
“The support and training here give me what I need to stay current on these matters.”
“Improvements are visible, and the company are serious about valuing employees.”
Additionally, some of our partner organisations stated:
“From the many campaigns, collateral, and updates to employees, partners, and clients we’ve been involved in, it’s immediately evident how important diversity and FREDIE are to the company and individuals. (External Stakeholder Survey)
“Clarke Telecom has guided us through every process of working with them, as well as cultural expectations.” (External Stakeholder – Procurement Focus Group)
“This doesn’t feel like box-ticking. There is a real interest in value and underlying beliefs.” (Focus Group Colleague working in partnership)
More Than Metrics - Real Change, Real Impact
We’ve embedded the FREDIE principles into team meetings, training, performance reviews, recruitment, and leadership behaviour.
Our culture review was rigorous. The assessment included 217 internal survey responses, focus groups, interviews, and reviews of our systems, processes, and behaviours. But the real impact? The difference we’re making:
A newly implemented Mental Health First Aider Hub, with 24 MHFAs proactively engaged with our workforce.
Colleagues from all backgrounds engage in inclusive celebrations, such as Eid and Lunar New Year.
Flexible working policies evolving to support carers, religious observance, and neurodiversity.
A stronger, fairer recruitment process that welcomes talent from non-traditional telecom backgrounds.
And we’ve seen real outcomes: reduced attrition, improved belonging, and a growing sense of shared purpose. A diverse workforce also brings new thinking, skills, and value to colleagues and customers.
Why Silver Matters - For Our People, Our Clients, and Our Future
Achieving Investors in Diversity Silver allows us to pause and reflect, not just on the progress made, but on what this means for our future.
It shows our people, clients, partners, and the communities where we enhance connectivity that we are a company grounded in integrity and care. A business that understands diversity is not a checkbox but a strength.
It gives our current and future colleagues confidence that we are a place where they can grow, contribute, and be themselves.
It tells the industry that we’re not just building a connected UK through our infrastructure—we’re building a workplace where people can connect, collaborate, and thrive.
Ian Marshall, Managing Director at Clarke Telecom, commented,
“We should all take pride in this award. Diversity’s not some buzzword; it’s just good sense. Different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences help us make better calls, and if we aren’t moving forward on this front, we will fall behind as a company. This recognition and accreditation are a great sign of our continued evolution and relevance in our market.”
Continuing Our Investors in Diversity Journey
Every Clarke Telecom team member should be proud of this milestone, but it’s also a moment to build upon. Our next steps include:
- Ensuring we align our company values with FREDIE principles.
- Developing a 3-year EDI strategy that’s visible, actionable, and measurable.
- Continuing to enhance the accessibility of training and communication for all teams — from office teams to sites.
Rachael commented,
“As we progress, I want to personally thank every colleague, contributor and partner who has shaped this journey. Your voices, your actions, and your accountability made this possible.”
Let’s wear our Silver badge with pride. Let’s keep raising the bar. Let’s keep listening, learning, and leading — together.
To discover more about working at Clarke Telecom and joining our team, visit our careers section here