By Stuart Wetherly, Group Finance Director, Capital & Regional, and Diversity Committee Chair

Capital & Regional’s shopping centres are embedded in culturally rich communities; embracing diversity is a part of our DNA, and we are dedicated to creating welcoming environments at both a corporate and centre level, irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, title/position, sexual orientation and disability.

By adopting a renewed strategic focus on diversity with the launch of C&R’s new Diversity Committee earlier this month, we intend to provide a framework that ensures our commitment to inclusion can continue to drive innovation within the business and have a material impact on our performance.

Considering all issues that impact our colleagues (both positive and negative), already the committee is making strides in progressing our diversity agenda, beginning with an internal audit to establish where Capital & Regional currently sits as a business in terms of diversity – what we are doing well, and where we can improve. 

The Diversity Committee will also be responsible for new initiatives to drive awareness of key diversity issues in the business and our communities. Our new Diversity Calendar, for example, serves to raise greater awareness of critical dates and cultural events which focus on diversity, such as Chinese New Year, Eid and Diwali. The committee will also place greater emphasis on partnerships with local and national charities, and community groups, that are championing the cause of diversity and promoting equal career opportunities for underrepresented backgrounds.

Capital & Regional’s recent partnership at the Mall Wood Green with The RecordShop, a social enterprise that provides musicianship opportunities for disadvantaged youths, is a primary example of this. The new community space within The RecordShop at the Mall Wood Green offers free recording sessions, music workshops, events and work experience for young musicians – all designed to help talented young people develop their personal and professional skills. 

We will be shining a light on further projects that work to inspire our communities in the coming months and continuing to reimagine the spaces within our portfolio to support collaboration and celebrate local diversity. 

To learn more and find out how you can get involved with the Diversity Committee email diversityandinclusion@capreg.com.