We aspire to build a culture where everyone can be themselves, ensuring people feel they belong and are supported at every stage of their career at BDO. Our experience shows that creating a firm where our people can be themselves leads to enhanced success, increases profitability, diverse decision-making and - quite simply - makes life more enjoyable.
Our 'BE YOURSELF' Strategy
If we aspire to build a culture where everyone can be themselves, we need to ensure that people feel they belong and are included at every point of their career at BDO. Our Be Yourself strategy is founded on our Core Purpose – helping you succeed – and allows us to check that at four levels: Leadership, Culture, Selection and Development.
What does this mean in practice?
It means we value you as an individual. The essence of ‘Be Yourself’ is knowing that each of our employees feels able to bring their full self to work and can achieve their potential. We know that it’s real people’s experiences that bring to life what it’s really like to work at BDO and would encourage you to read some of our stories of #LifeatBDO.
What are our recent developments?
- We refreshed our Be Yourself strategy which drives all our action relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- As part of our Race Action Plan, we’ve continued conversations about race – both through an award-winning video and our CEDAR Network Mentoring Programme
- In November 2021, our Leadership Team signed off ambitions to reach 30% female Partners by the end of 2030, and 10% BAME Partners by the end of 2026, of which 10% will identify as being of Black heritage
- 4.47 out of 5 stars is average rating for our employee Equity, Diversity & Inclusion training modules
- 110 different nationalities work at BDO UK
- 93%+ of our people have completed Equality, Diversity & Inclusion training.
Our commitment to Gender Balance
As part of our commitment to Gender Balance at BDO, we are proud to be signatories of the HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter. This is a commitment by HM Treasury and signatory firms to work together to build a more equitable financial services industry.
When we signed up to the Charter in 2019, we originally set the ambition of 20% female representation in our partnership by the end of July 2021. We achieved this in November 2021 (with a slight delay due to the impact Covid-19), and we have set a new ambition of 30% female partners by the end of 2030.
At BDO our definition of ‘senior management’, in relation to the Charter, includes all of our salaried and equity partners. As of 23 September 2024 we have 24.03% female representation in senior management and are on track to meet our 2030 ambition early.
By signing up to the Charter, BDO has committed to:
- Having a member of our senior executive team (Managing Partner), who is responsible and accountable for gender diversity
- The Managing Partner having an objective which is linked to our gender diversity targets
Over the last year we have evolved our Gender Balance Plans in line with our current position as a firm. The plan includes:
- Our leaders will role model and champion inclusive behaviours and actively take steps to support the development of diverse talent
- An inclusive culture where all talent can succeed, diverse voices are heard and everyone feels confident to speak up. With a focus on continuous improvement, we will look to drive systemic change both internally and externally
- An employer brand that appeals to quality, diverse candidates, who broaden the firm’s horizons and add to our diversity of thinking. All candidates should have a first-class inclusive experience, regardless of outcome
- A career that is based upon equity, with access to inclusive, fair and innovative opportunities and development, underpinned by robust data-informed processes
We are focused on gender balance and increasing representation at all levels, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is vital for the culture, sustainability and performance of the firm.
International Women's Day #EmbraceEquity
International Women's Day 2023
Helping one another succeed
Our culture and our purpose act as an anchor for our people. We are proud of all the supportive networks that have been created by, and are made up of, employees who share a common demographic, passion or belief. These groups have a strong and prominent role at BDO.
Our networks aim to help people connect and collaborate, to learn and share experiences, and come together on events, shared issues and celebratory moments. By bringing together our people and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, we can truly help each other succeed.
Our Culture and Impact Report 2024
Our Culture
Our Purpose & Values
