4 LAG U BOARD CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH | BDO LLP
BY SHERV CHEUNG BDO’S BLEND NETWORK
WHY GET INVOLVED? Be part of the change – we are excited about the year ahead and to work with colleagues across the firm to encourage cultural change that supports our LGBT+ talent and the firm’s #beyourself strategy and we hope you’d want to be part of it too. Gain new skills and connections – as part of the executive committee, you will work with different colleagues across the firm at different levels, and develop inclusive leadership and engagement skills. Make the role your own – we understand your time is valuable and can be flexible around the time you are able to volunteer and your other commitments. Bring your strengths – strengths are things we do well that energise and motivate us – whether it is event organisation, data analysis, or influencing others, we believe we need a mix of everyone’s strengths to help our network grow.
The network name, ‘Blend’ recognises that BDO and indeed the world are not homogenous environments, but that society is made up a of blend of countless intersecting identities. We have a specific focus to support colleagues on matters of sexual orientation and gender identity and work with HR and the Leadership team on informing policy around LGBT+ inclusion. We aim to provide networking opportunities for LGBT+ colleagues and allies, promote a supportive and inclusive environment for LGBT+ colleagues, and seek to support the firm in identifying, understanding and challenges facing LGBT+ colleagues throughout the entire employee life cycle. OUR VISION Blend was founded with the aim of creating a safe, open-minded, and encouraging work environment when it comes to matters of gender and sexual identity, so that everyone can thrive.
THE NETWORK’S PRIORITIES FOR 2022 While we have more detailed actions that sit under each priority, here are our key focuses as a network over the coming year: Tone from the top – we aim to engage senior leaders in the organisation to create a culture of LGBT+ inclusion in the firm and to increase representation at senior levels in the organisation. Challenge infrastructure – we aim to act on Listening Event feedback and work with colleagues across the firm to improve data quality and to improve relevant aspects
of the employee life cycle through evidence-based decision making.
Community, support and safe spaces – we aim to encourage an ‘Allies’ culture at BDO and to improve community and safe spaces for LGBT+ colleagues, including networking and social events. Develop our network – we aim to develop the Blend network further
and work with other networks to acknowledge intersectionality.
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