Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Construction Leadership Council’s vision is for an inclusive, representative, welcoming built environment sector that is a career of choice for all as the best way to contribute to a stronger economy and sustainable future.

The role of its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Steering Group is to define a strategic way forward to deliver this vision, with a specific goal of bringing the sector together for a ‘one voice’ approach towards strategic and consolidated action.

The Group is composed of specialist umbrella organisations driving equity, diversity and inclusion in the built environment sector:

• B.E. Inclusive
• Building People
• Construction Inclusion Coalition 
• Construction Industry Council: EDI Committee 
• D&I Forum – Construction and Infrastructure (no website available)
• Equitable Safety Initiative (no website available)
• Supply Chain Sustainability School (Action Sustainability): FIR programme 

The goal is to address under-representation and to remove barriers to access, recruitment, retention and progression by raising the industry’s standards of EDI knowledge, behaviours and practice, ultimately developing and promoting an inclusive culture and enabling an increase in the number of people from diverse and under-represented backgrounds entering and sustaining in construction and built environment careers.

The Steering Group is supported and informed by a wider Community of EDI Practitioners to communicate progress and to facilitate consultation via quarterly online meetings. The aims of the Community are to promote best practice, ensure a more consistent approach, reduce duplication of effort, and identify opportunities for collaborative working. 

The Steering Group’s 2026 action plan covers enhancing EDI data collection, developing associated business intelligence, promoting and sharing cross-sector good practice guidance, and contributing to consultation. Objectives for 2026 also include:

• Growing and enhancing cross-sector EDI data collection via the annual Diversity survey delivered by the FIR Programme at the Supply Chain Sustainability School. 
• Growing and enhancing EDI content available through the FIR Programme, with a specific focus on Menopause, Digital and Physical Accessibility and Inappropriate Behaviour (sexual harassment). 
• Mapping of and engagement with existing cross-sector EDI activities and initiatives to increase knowledge of and understand the work taking place. *Subject to funding
• Review, engagement with and potential enhancement of existing sector standards and frameworks (those that reference or are focused on EDI, Culture Change and / or Fairness, Inclusion and Respect). *Subject to funding
• Widespread communication of the FIR Programme as the single EDI portal for the sector, with increased numbers utilising the FIR Programme, and increased engagement with the FIR Culture and Impact Survey.
• Working with the Equitable Safety Initiative to help the sector move from awareness to action in recognising that safety is experienced uniquely by everyone.
• Securing sustainable funding for the CLC EDI workstream to continue.

To access Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resources via the FIR Programme at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, please use this link:

For more information about the work we are doing, please contact clc.edi.contact@gmail.com