WiHTL & Diversity in Retail have galvanised the power of their Collaboration Community, bringing together 60 CEOs to publicly reaffirm their commitment to building inclusive organisations across Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail. 

In a powerful reclaiming of the narrative surrounding inclusion, CEOs and senior leaders from organisations including Center Parcs, Greggs, Bourne Leisure, Sainsbury's, Pizza Express, Virgin Atlantic, IKEA, Nando’s and Wickes have all endorsed the following statement:

“As CEOs of companies across the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail sectors, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering workplaces that are inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the diverse world we live in.

Inclusion and equity are not just principles we aspire to uphold—they are fundamental to the success of our companies. They drive innovation, strengthen cultures, and ensure that the brilliantly diverse people who work in our industries feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

We know that progress has been made and we are proud of the progress we have made so far, making our sectors some of the most inclusive places for people to choose to work. However, we recognise there is always more to do. That’s why we are sharing our commitment to leading our companies to be places where every voice is heard and every individual is given an equitable opportunity to succeed.

Together, as an industry, we can ensure we remain a place where those who work within it - regardless of background, identity, or experience - can truly belong and flourish.”

This pledge is not just about words - it is a commitment to accountability and creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. It is about ensuring inclusion is embedded in their organisations and reflected in their actions. These leaders recognise that building inclusive organisations is the right thing to do for their employees and from a business perspective too. The evidence makes clear that the more inclusive an organisation is, the better placed they are to attract top talent, innovate, build a stronger culture, meet the needs of their customers and deliver stronger bottom line performance.

It is clear that fostering greater inclusion in these organisations remains an integral part of these CEOs’ plans. As Debbie Robinson, Chief Executive of Central Co-op points out, “inclusion and equity are not mere aspirations for the few; they are the very foundations upon which we build strong organisations and communities.”

Carol Welch, Group CEO of A.F. Blakemore, concurs with this sentiment, saying, “A.F. Blakemore was built on the foundation of one inclusive team. It's an important value that has shaped the business we've become and continues to set our agenda for the future. We are committed to celebrating not only those qualities we have in common, but also the differences that make us unique.”

"We are committed to creating an environment where every colleague feels welcomed, represented and valued. We couldn’t do what we do without our people, and fostering an inclusive, equitable workplace is a priority to help everyone be their true selves. As we look ahead, we remain focused on driving lasting change and ensuring our commitments continue to evolve for a more inclusive future,” adds Robbie Feather, Group CEO of The Very Group.

Paul Pomroy, CEO of Warner Hotels, was swift to reiterate the importance of inclusion: “our responsibility is to ensure that every team member feels valued, welcomed and celebrated for the specific talents, diverse characteristics, insightful thinking and distinct life experience they enrich our hotels and offices with every day.”

“I believe that diversity is not just a strength—it is essential to our growth and success and must be at the heart of everything we do,” adds Helen Charlesworth, CEO of Connells Group.

Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, reaffirmed just how central EDI is to their philosophy: “diversity, equity and inclusion with and for all our colleagues, customers, suppliers and communities is so fundamental to everything we believe. As we make progress we always hold ourselves to account where we can be better.”

“The case for creating a more inclusive and diverse environment is well documented,’ concludes David Wood, CEO of Wickes. ‘My ambition for 2025, in what will remain a challenging and dynamic economic context, is that businesses continue to recognise, promote and invest in the long term benefits of fostering a more inclusive and diverse environment.”

By issuing this statement, and gaining widespread support from so many CEOs, WiHTL & DiR highlight the shared commitment that exists to building inclusive workplaces remains strong.

The final word belongs to Tea Colaianni, Founder and Chair of WiHTL & DiR, who explains that “this industry-wide pledge to building truly inclusive workplaces by Chief Executives will undoubtedly galvanise our industry, build trust with colleagues and help to attract the most talented people to work across the hospitality, travel, leisure and retail sectors, now and in the future.”

WiHTL & DiR will continue to shine a spotlight on the importance of prioritising inclusion at work. To add your name to this pledge, please email info@wihtlanddir.com.

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