Club’s progress in the fields of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion acknowledged
- Huddersfield Town recognised for work in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Club awarded Intermediate level in Premier League Equality Standard
- Town recognised for embedding EDI into decision-making processes
Huddersfield Town is delighted to announce it has been awarded the Intermediate Level of the Premier League’s Equality Standard!
The Premier League Equality Standard (PLES) was launched in 2015 and provides a framework to help clubs progress equality and diversity across all areas of their business including the work of their Community Trust; in our case, the Town Foundation.
The Club achieved the Preliminary Standard in March 2019 and, despite the subsequent return to the Sky Bet Championship, committed to continuing the Premier League’s EDI syllabus although this is not mandatory outside of the Premier League.
Two years of work across the Club culminated in a virtual panel presentation from the Club’s EDI Working Group on 19 November, made to an independent PLES panel chaired by Garth Crooks.
The PLES panel listened to a review of the work undertaken by the Club over the last two years and subsequently awarded Town the Intermediate Level for its commitment, culture, policies, leadership and people, as well as the work it has done in developing Club services to encourage people from all communities to participate in our activities.
Town’s work in this area comes together under the established ‘Terriers Together’ brand; our forthcoming home fixture against Stoke City on 30 January 2021 will be this season’s dedicated ‘Terriers Together’ match.
Led by HR Manager Zoe Shackleton and Board Equality Lead Ann Hough, the Club’s Equality Working Group has undertaken a huge data analysis exercise during that two-year period, assessing how the Club represents Huddersfield and the wider area. By doing this, we have been able to identify and address areas of under-representation in the staff and the fanbase.
We have also provided a wide range of training to staff, including disability awareness and dementia training among several other areas.
Town has also become a Disability Confident Employer, as well as a Mindful Employer, and was recognised by the PLES panel for the way it supports its staff with mental health and wellbeing.
As well as the internal Equality Working Group, we have also formed an External Advisory Group, comprising individuals from all walks of life and with special expertise and interest in the areas of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. This group exists to scrutinise, challenge and advise the Club on its work.
The Club will now embark on the journey towards the Advanced Level – the highest level in the standard – and continue along its long-term EDI Action Plan.
Bill Bush, Executive Director at the Premier League, said:
“We are extremely pleased to award Huddersfield Town the Premier League Equality Standard Intermediate Level. They have demonstrated equality and diversity are at the heart of all their activity, something led by the Chair, Board and CEO. The club has also made great progress with their disability provision, and their inclusive fan initiatives are outstanding.”
Operations Director Ann Hough, who is the Equality Lead for the Club at Board level, added:
“Everyone at Huddersfield Town is absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Intermediate Level of the Premier League Equality Standard.
“It’s our goal and ambition to further this Club’s well-earned reputation of being a welcoming place for everyone, and this work has really driven us forward on that front.
“We sincerely hope and believe that our work over a near-four-year period has furthered our understanding of diversity and helped our staff’s understanding and knowledge of what it means to be truly inclusive.
“Equally, we all understand that we are only part of the way down our journey and there is still much more we can do to improve in these areas. We’re absolutely committed to continuing our work.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank every member of staff for embedding this into our culture, and in particular the Equality Working Group – led by Zoe Shackleton – for its tireless work to drive us forward.”
