Aon is one of only three companies in Ireland to retain its status as an accredited gold standard ‘Investor in Diversity’.
DUBLIN, 21 December 2023 – Aon Ireland has successfully retained its Investors in Diversity Gold standard accreditation from the Irish Centre for Diversity for another two years. The second consecutive award makes Aon one of only three companies in Ireland to have successfully achieved reaccreditation.
Achieving the ‘Investors in Diversity Gold’ standard requires organisations to demonstrate strong leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), embedding DE&I throughout the business and influencing the lived experience of employees in a positive way.
Organisations must conduct an in-depth self-assessment of DE&I practices across the five principal pillars assessed by the Irish Centre for Diversity: diverse and inclusive leadership; policies, procedures, processes; recruitment, retention and progression; recording and monitoring; and impact on external diversity.
Over the past year Aon has strengthened DEI&B values throughout the business as it creates an inclusive culture where all colleagues can be their authentic selves and thrive.
Earlier this year, Aon launched its Accelerate Programme. The programme is designed and delivered in collaboration with the Irish Management Institute and focuses on equipping women colleagues from across the firm with the necessary skills and opportunities to achieve their full potential at Aon.
The firm also operates a significant number of in-house talent initiatives which embed its culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging such as requiring all colleagues to take unconscious bias training, with colleagues highly rating the company’s activity. This year, Aon will again sponsor the Advancing Disability Equality Award at the Irish Centre for Diversity Awards. In addition, Aon also participates in the Digital Skillnet Women ReBOOT programme focusing on encouraging women to recommence their career in technology. Aon colleagues have also undertaken mandatory unconscious bias training.
Oisín Ó’Gógáin, CPO, Aon Ireland & the Nordics said: “We’re proud to be recognised by the Irish Centre for Diversity and retain our status as an accredited gold standard investor in diversity. This is the second year that we have received the gold standard and it is testament to us committing to making better decisions and taking action to create an inclusive culture where all colleagues can be their authentic selves and thrive.
"At Aon, we believe that fostering DEI&B at every level of the organisation is vital to our business. By having a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, we attract and retain the best talent, which develops high-performing teams, enables innovation, creates client value, and delivers positive business results.”
Caroline Cummins, Managing Director, Irish Centre for Diversity said: “Aon Ireland is one of only three companies in Ireland to achieve Investors in Diversity Gold accreditation consecutively. Achieving this re-accreditation milestone demonstrates the considerable investment the business has made in embedding DE&I throughout its operations and sets its status as a leader in embodying DE&I values.
The assessment included demonstration of DE&I progress being included as part of the overall business plan. Underpinned by Aon’s vision and values, this ensures this vital area is not seen as ‘bolt on’ or separate. The business has a forward-thinking Theme-based approach to Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that encompasses intersectionality. This 'Inclusion for everyone' perspective is further borne out with wider diversity being considered in colleague support structures and rewards e.g., Parental coaching workshops, support for breastfeeding arrangements and ‘milestone’ leave allocation.
As DE&I advocates, Aon's commitment statement for Supplier Diversity and Code of Conduct represents very good practice as they feed into ‘Discovery Conversations’ with clients. We look forward to continued progress and success in their journey of continuous improvement.”
Notes to Editor
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business.
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About the Irish Centre for Diversity
The Irish Centre for Diversity works in partnership with organisations across Ireland to help them embed Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) in all that they do. Our goal is to positively influence beliefs, attitudes, behaviour and conduct towards issues surrounding D&I.
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