Skip to main content
Journal Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Journal magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Journal Magazine on Instagram
  • Visit Journal Magazine on Twitter
  • Visit @Journal_Mag on Facebook
Visit the website of the Chartered Insurance Institute Logo of the Chartered Insurance Institute

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • News analysis
  • Features
  • Study Room
    • A-Z
    • Question and Answer (Q&A)
    • Study Room Features
  • Opinion
  • CII Radio
  • Events
  • Digital Magazine
Quick links:
  • Home
  • News

Equality street

Share on
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print
Open-access content 2nd January 2019

Article hero image.

Richard and Clare Talbot-Jones explain how a focus on diversity and inclusion has benefited them and their family business

Managing Richard's long-term chronic pain condition -- after sustaining an injury while training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst -- was a major factor in us launching our own business in 2015. We noticed quickly the adaptations we had made through managing his disability had a hugely positive impact on our practices and have significantly influenced our company culture and brand.

Before launching our family business, our very polar dispositions and temperaments could sometimes result in frustration. However, as we watched each other perform our different work roles with success, we finally recognised the real value of our differences and the opportunities that our complementary skills offered to
our clients.

Having recognised the real worth of diversity in our small business, we were keen to take the opportunity to complete the Equality Standard accreditation as we prepared to take on our first employee. As appointed representatives, the entry-level role we were preparing offered little in terms of career progression. We were keen, therefore, to take the opportunity to offer short, fixed-term contracts to people who were enthusiastic workers, but had struggled to find paid employment perhaps due to disability, long-term caring responsibilities or geographical displacement.

The Equality Standard helped us to embed sound diversity practices at the core of our business, meet legal requirements and reflect our values. It was also very helpful preparation for our Corporate Chartered status application.

VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES

Completing the standard was also an excellent opportunity to network with other organisations with similar values and ethos. We met St Camillus Care Group, a business that supports people with autism looking to enter employment, and worked together to offer one of their trainees experience in office administration. We offered work trials as a practical alternative to a traditional interview and were then pleased to offer paid employment to one of the applicants. Due to this process, we were awarded Disability Confident Committed status by the Department for Work and Pensions. Most importantly, we expanded our business to include a team member who might not excel at a one-off interview, but who offers a truly useful skillset and positive attitude.

As we near the end of this employee's fixed-term contract, we are pleased to see their improved confidence and developed skills -- and we are beginning to think about recruiting again. We have learned the real value of diversity, not just in creating a positive and welcoming culture, but also as a commercial asset, bringing new perspectives, ideas and expertise, as well as opening up new markets and building relationships with new communities. Our focus on diversity and inclusion has helped us develop a stronger team with a wide skillset, while increasing profitability and productivity.

We were proud that this year Clare, our business development director, was shortlisted as a Diversity Champion in the HSBC Forward Ladies northern region awards and the company was a finalist in the North East Equality Awards. This double recognition of our efforts reflects the hard work we have put in at Talbot Jones Risk Solutions, as well as the various voluntary roles we are involved in, reflecting our passion and interest for promoting diversity and inclusion. They are a great accreditation and an authentication to other organisations, giving a clear testimony of our values and convictions and the strength this focus has brought to our business.

Richard and Clare Talbot-Jones are co-founders of Talbot Jones Risk Solutions

You may also be interested in...

  • CII raising professional standards across Asia
  • CII HONG KONG ORGANISES FUTURE INSURANCE LEADERS EVENT
  • Cyber debate at Claims Conference
Filed in:
News
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Most-Popular

 

 

BECOME A MEMBER

BECOME A MEMBER

SUBSCRIBE TO PRINT

SUBSCRIBE TO PRINT
The-Journal_NEW.png
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
Facebook
Youtube
CONTACT US
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7880 6200
Email
Advertise with us
​

About the CII

About us
Membership
Qualifications
Events

The Journal

Digital magazine
Podcasts
Blog
News

General Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Write for The Journal
Want to receive The Journal?

The Journal Magazine is © 2020 Redactive Publishing Limited

All rights reserved.