To support this journey, we’ve partnered with Inclusive Employers, the founders of National Inclusion Week and one of the UK’s leading membership organisations, for employers looking to build workplaces where everyone can thrive. Inclusive Employers supports organisations at every stage of their inclusion journey, helping them create cultures that value diversity, foster belonging and enable people and organisations to perform at their best.
The infrastructure that NEP is building will help transform the future of Teesside, the Humber and UK Industry. Rather than treating inclusion as something to introduce later, we’ve worked with Inclusive Employers from the very beginning to weave it into the fabric of NEP, helping shape a culture built on openness, belonging and continuous learning.
Andrew Bates, Head of HR, People and Culture, added: “We have a rare opportunity at NEP to build our culture intentionally, rather than inherit one. That means making inclusion part of our foundations — not something we bolt on as we grow. Our values of Safety, Care, Integrity, Collaboration and Accountability are central to how we want to work together, and inclusion is fundamental to bringing those values to life every day.
I want everyone who joins NEP to feel that they belong, that their voice matters and that they can thrive. Our partnership with Inclusive Employers is helping us turn that ambition into everyday practice, challenging us to keep learning and improving as we grow. The infrastructure we are building will have a lasting impact on our region and our country; I want the culture we build alongside it to have an equally lasting impact on our people.”
Emily Pattinson, Inclusive Employers Consultant, said: “What stands out most about NEP is that their commitment to inclusion has been there from the very beginning. Creating and maintaining an inclusive culture is no small feat, especially during rapid growth, but time and again I’ve seen people across the organisation show up with openness, curiosity and a real willingness to learn from one another.
“Leaders and colleagues alike have been incredibly welcoming and committed to building a workplace that does right by its people. That’s why I’m so proud of our ongoing partnership, because the amazing progress they have made so far is just a fraction of what they are able to achieve.”
