Construction Inclusion Coalition

About Us

Building a construction industry that reflects the communities it builds for. 

cic logo shape
Woman in shop wearing high-vis jacket

The problem

The construction industry has a vital role to play in building a better future for Britain – employing over 2.9 million workers and contributing to 9% of GDP to the UK economy each year. 

However, it does not reflect the communities that it builds for. Today, only 15% of the construction industry are women (2% on site), 6% are people from ethnic minority backgrounds and 6% people live with a disability.

We are not recruiting from the broadest pool of talent, because many feel the industry is not for them. As a consequence, there are many lost opportunities in talent for the industry, and that puts the future of our industry at risk.

To meet the current and future needs of the UK construction sector, we need to actively work together to retain, attract and recruit leaders from as a diverse range of backgrounds as possible.

What is the Construction Inclusion Coalition?

The Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC) has been established to enhance the impact of our individual equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Established by leading organisations across the construction industry, we are united by the vision of an industry that reflects the communities it builds for. Organisations will work together to enhance the impact of their individual equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, by fostering collaboration and establishing a network to share knowledge and resources across the industry, and co-creating solutions that will make a difference. Progress will be tracked annually and shared in a public report. 

What is the Built on Better Pledge?

The Built on Better Pledge has been created to give clear guiding principles for businesses in the construction industry to address equity, diversity and inclusion within their organisations. It outlines seven key actions that all members of the Coalition are expected to commit to. We are asking all parts of the industry – from house builders to manufacturers, logistics to suppliers – to join the Coalition and commit to taking the pledge, to make equity, diversity and inclusion a priority within their organisations.  

The Built on Better Pledge

01.

Inspire

Work together to inspire the next generation of leaders in the construction industry

02.

Listen

Conduct internal surveys on equity, diversity and inclusion, and to act on the main problems and barriers identified

03.

Share

Develop and share resources from within and beyond the construction industry 

04.

Support

Support a healthy and collaborative workplace environment, and maintain a whistleblowing procedure where colleagues feel comfortable speaking out

05.

Educate

Educate ourselves, our colleagues, and the wider industry around aspects of equity, diversity and inclusion 

06.

Measure

Commit to benchmarking, tracking and sharing equity, diversity and inclusion data within organisations

07.

Report

Assess our equity, diversity and inclusion progress on an annual basis, publishing a report and outlining a plan for further action every year as a coalition 

Who’s involved

The Construction Inclusion Coalition was established in 2023 by leading organisations across the construction industry including Aliaxis, Baxi, Bradfords, Highbourne Group, Ibstock PLC, Knauf, Travis Perkins PLC, Wavin, Wolseley, the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and the National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS).  We are proud to be endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

We are calling on businesses across the construction industry – no matter how big or small – to join the Construction Inclusion Coalition and take the Built on Better Pledge. 

Frequently asked questions

Please see below for a list of common questions. For any others you may have, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact form below.

The Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC) has been established by leading organisations in the construction sector to improve equity, diversity and inclusion across the industry.  

We are unified by the vision of a construction industry that reflects the communities it builds for. The Coalition is led by CEOs of leading organisations who are working together to make real, tangible progress to improve equity, diversity and inclusion within our own organisations, and across the sector. As part of this, we have established the Built on Better Pledge, a set of commitments which include an education programme, improving complaints processes and increasing data collection. All organisations involved are expected to commit to the pledge.  

Organisations will work together to enhance the impact of their individual equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, by fostering collaboration and establishing a network to share knowledge and resources across the industry, and co-creating solutions that will make a difference.

The organisations involved are urging businesses across the industry to join the initiative and take the Built on Better Pledge, which provides clear guiding principles on improving equity, diversity and inclusion within their organisations. It outlines key actions that all members of the Coalition are expected to commit to. Progress against the Built on Better Pledge will be tracked annually by all members.

Together, the Coalition pledges to: 

  • INSPIRE – Work together to inspire the next generation of leaders in the construction industry
  • LISTEN – Conduct internal surveys on equity, diversity and inclusion, and to act on the main problems and barriers identified
  • SHARE – Establishing a network to share knowledge and resources across the industry, and co-create solutions that will make a difference.
  • SUPPORT – Support a healthy and collaborative workplace environment, and maintain a whistleblowing procedure where colleagues feel comfortable speaking out
  • EDUCATE – Educate ourselves, our colleagues, and the wider industry around aspects of equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • MEASURE – Commit to benchmarking, tracking and sharing equity, diversity, and inclusion data within organisations
  • REPORT – Assess our equity, diversity, and inclusion progress on an annual basis, publishing a report and outlining a plan for further action every year as a Coalition

Individually, Coalition members pledge to: 

  • Drive the recruitment, retention and progression of under-represented groups in the industry
  • Foster an environment that encourages feedback and higher satisfaction from under-represented groups
  • Transform internal processes for concerns and complaints to be raised by any and all colleagues
  • Measure and report on our progress year-on-year to ensure continuous progress and development

The construction industry has a vital role to play in building a better future for Britain. Together, we employ over 2.9m workers and contribute 9% to the UK’s GDP. However, we have long faced challenges with diversity and inclusion across the sector, and currently do not reflect the communities that we are building for. Only 15% of the construction industry are women and just 6% are from ethnic minority backgrounds.  

As a result, we are failing to attract and develop a diverse pool of talent, and this is leading to many lost opportunities and potential leaders for the industry and our businesses, putting the future of construction at risk. Together, we are working together to foster collaboration and establish network to share knowledge and resources across the industry, and co-creating solutions that will make a difference. Progress will be tracked annually and shared in a public report.

The initial idea was conceived in the winter of 2022. Leading organisations have since been working together to determine key priority areas and areas of action for the Coalition, to ensure we can focus our efforts and make a meaningful impact. The Coalition launched in September 2023.

The Construction Inclusion Coalition has been established by 11 leading organisations in the construction industry, united by a shared mission to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion across the sector. These organisations include Aliaxis, Baxi Heating Ltd, Bradfords Building Supplies, BMF (Builders Merchants Federation), City Plumbing, Ibstock PLC, Knauf, NMBS, Travis Perkins PLC, Wavin and Wolseley.

We are calling on all businesses across the construction industry – from housebuilders to manufacturers, logistics and suppliers – to join the Construction Inclusion Coalition.  

There are three different ways for businesses and organisations to join, with varying funding levels required and associated benefits: 

  • Strategic Partners – Organisations responsible for actively contributing and shaping the direction of the Coalition, its ambitions and initiatives. This requires senior leader engagement on CEO Steering Group, and actively contributing to a Working Group to drive forward action. 
  • Coalition Members – Individual businesses that sign up to the Coalition and commit to the Built on Better Pledge. They have access to resources and a network of like-minded individuals as part of joining the Coalition. 
  • Associate Members – Industry or trade body organisations who join the Coalition and commit to promoting its resources with its member network. Associate Members will be offered the same benefits and privileges as Coalitions Members. 

Industry-wide challenges require industry-wide solutions. The Coalition will work together towards to enhance the impact of their individual equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, by fostering collaboration and establishing a network to share knowledge and resources across the industry, and co-creating solutions that will make a difference. 

Benefits for members include:  

  • Access to, and the opportunity to in time collaborate and input on, tools and resources – All members have access to a growing library of resources such as templates and training materials to support and empower your organisation to improve equity, diversity and inclusion 
  • Sharing insights through key networks – Members will have access to a network of united individuals and companies as part of the Coalition. 
  • Retain and attract talent – By taking the Built on Better Pledge and joining the Coalition, members demonstrate their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workforce, and can feature the Coalition logo and badge of approval on their channels 

The Coalition is funded by our Strategic Partners, Coalition Members and Associate Members. The majority of Coalition membership fees are tiered based on annual revenue, to ensure the Coalition remains accessible to organisations of all shapes and sizes.  

Funding ensures the Coalition continues to build momentum and develop resources, networking opportunities and communications to effectively drive change.   

Coalition membership fees are tiered based on annual revenue, to ensure the Coalition remains accessible to organisations of all shapes and sizes. Get in touch to find out more on membership fees.  

Funding ensures the Coalition continues to build momentum, and effectively engages key audiences across the industry and drives substantive change. This includes the development of resources and materials to help members, project management, hosting networking events, funding future communications and campaigns to engage key stakeholders on the issue and the development of the Coalition annual report to hold ourselves accountable.   

The Coalition is run by our Strategic Partners, currently 11 organisations across the industry who are united by the vision of a construction industry that reflects the communities it builds for. The Coalition is led by CEOs of our Strategic Partner organisations and is shaped by the active involvement of colleagues from each Partner organisation. The Coalition is currently chaired by Angela Rushforth, Managing Director of Toolstation. We are proud to be endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

Be part of the solution
To join the Coalition, or find out more, please get in touch.

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