The Brockworth-based Mears Group has joined a group of leading companies from the energy, transport, engineering and creative sectors in taking the Inclusive Culture Pledge.

Overseen by leading diversity consultancy, EW Group, the aim is to be more inclusive in the work place and embrace social and cultural differences.

Mears, a leading UK social housing and care group, says the business sees the move as a visible commitment to the work it already does to promote an open and inclusive workplace.

Companies are putting increased focus on the need for staff at all levels to live their values and display inclusive behaviours - because it is the right thing to do, and because it is good for business.

A recent McKinsey study found that companies with greater ethnic diversity are 35 per cent more likely to financially outperform their industry's national median. Meanwhile, the Peterson Institute for International Economics has shown that a move from no female leaders to 30 per cent representation is associated with a 15 per cent increase in net revenue margin.

Mears director of communications and customer success, Gary Jackson, said: "The Inclusive Culture Pledge will send a powerful message to our customers, stakeholders and staff that for us, diversity is seen as business-critical rather than simply a nice to have."

EW group managing director, Rachael Wilson, said: "We are immensely proud of the work we do with Mears to contribute to developing their inclusive workplace. By signing up to the Inclusive Culture Pledge, Mears is making an internal and external commitment to become an even better place to work, an organisation to do business with and a provider of great services."