Equality, diversity & inclusion charter developed for the landscape industry

Professional bodies from across the landscaping industry have come together and developed a charter, committing to improve equality, inclusivity, and diversity. The British public’s embrace of outdoor green space during the pandemic, as well as the industry’s role in combating climate change, are contributory factors to industry growth. As an industry, to assist in supporting this growth, we need to ensure our workforce embraces equality and diversity - that everyone can be included and has a part to play in developing an industry that represents our increasingly diverse population.

The Association has been working with many of the membership organisations that represent our industry to develop a standard we can all work to focussing on equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are proud to be part of the development and implementation of this charter and further building on the work being implemented by Board Director Adrian Wickham and Vice-Chair Tessa Johnstone, around inclusivity and diversity across our industry.

Adrian Wickham and Tessa Johnstone, British Association of Landscape Industries:

“This charter is so important. Key leads from different organisations have worked together at pace. We want everyone to feel they can be involved in this industry, and it has to start with leadership. We need to work together, and we need to include everyone’s thinking in decisions that are made. This approach ensures everyone feels valued and, in turn, they will be able to offer their own qualities to the industry.”

Current signatories include The Arboricultural Association, Association of Professional Landscapers, British Association of Landscape Industries, Chartered Institute of Horticulture, Garden Media Guild, Horticultural Trades Association, Landscape Institute, Royal Horticultural Society, Society of Garden Designers and Young People in Horticulture Association. Any member organisation within the industry is welcome to join the existing signatories to pledge their commitment and support to the charter.

These signatories to the Charter confirm their commitment ‘to progress the breaking down of barriers in the industry and increasing access and progression for all. To work openly and respectfully with other chartered members’:

1. We commit to create an inclusive culture and measure how we engage and improve representation.
2. Support the development of our industry from an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion perspective - regardless of area of specialism, through the sharing of work and good practice. 
3. To recognise and monitor Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion across the industry, using a set format to benchmark performance.
4. Provide access to resources for educating and upskilling colleagues and members on diversity and inclusion.
5. Promote the Industry as a fully inclusive and accessible environment with opportunities for lifelong rewarding careers.

Mo Kebbay, Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing for the Royal Horticultural Society:

“At the RHS our goal is to have a truly diverse organisation. It gives us diversity of thought, perspective and experience and enables us to build meaningful connections, make better decisions, and strengthens us as a charity. We welcome this charter and believe that together with our partners we will become an industry that is fully inclusive, accessible to all and which reflects every part of our rich and diverse society.”

The charter is the first step of the journey, with the Association fully committed to working closely with all charter signatories and the wider industry on developing guidance notes on implementing best practice and policies.