Diversity and Inclusion

Encouraging Diversity has always been one of US2U Consulting's core values. We always incorporate key messages into our client projects as appropriate. This may include helping clients create or refresh their company values to drive a positive, inclusive culture or delivering specific sessions to enable managers and staff to stay up to date on relevant legislation and language that can be used or avoided in the workplace so that people feel comfortable.

Always up for a challenge, to celebrate Pride Month 2023 we decided to make a Pride Flag Cake! It has three layers so we think that it is relevant to ask ourselves three questions:

1) What are we doing well regarding creating an all-inclusive culture?

2) What can we do differently or better to achieve this?

3) What are we going to change?

Please get in touch to ask us to support your Diversity and Inclusion Stategy - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

US2U Consulting Founder and Director Rachel Blackburn has been elected to join the East of England CBI (Confederation of British Industry) Council from 1st January 2021. The CBI's mission is to promote the conditions in which businesses of all sizes and sectors in the UK can compete and prosper for the benefit of all. It speaks for about 190,000 businesses - together employing around a third of the private sector workforce. The businesses comprise the UK's largest network of FTSE 100 companies and large businesses, as well as mid-caps, SMEs and trade associations.

Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, President of the CBI, said, "Congratulations on joining the CBI's Council, everyone here greatly values the contribution our Council members make. For 2021 with the UK business community facing real challenges from Brexit to overcoming COVID, your voice will be more important than ever at the CBI. Your contribution to the CBI Council will have a real impact and influence on our work and I hope over your term we are able to share some vital insights and intelligence that help both you and your business develop and grow. Thank you for your time and commitment to this important role."

Rachel said, "As we plan for 2021 it has never been more important for business and government to proactively work together to lift our productivity, renew our infrastructure, solve our skills gap and invest in new technology. Having been a management consultant for over 20 years working with a wide range of businesses in the UK and overseas, I am looking forward to the opportunity for US2U Consulting to play a leading role in influencing the policy landscape at a local and national level. I also recognise that I enable the East of England CBI Council to strengthen its Diversity and Inclusion practices."

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any specific points with Rachel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sizewell C is a planned nuclear power station based in the East of England which will supply low-carbon energy to 6 million homes for 60 years. The construction and maintenance should support 70,000 jobs and the aim is to leave a legacy of social value to benefit the local region and wider UK.

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO, Rachel Blackburn (pictured), recently attended the 'Sizewell C Supply Chain - Engage : Update : Inform' meeting in rural Essex along with hundreds of other businesses that are keen to bring their key competencies to play an active role in the supply chain.

Rachel's conclusion from the session is that it appears there are three key areas where we can specifically support businesses as part of the SZC supply chain:

1. Creating a Diverse Workforce

This is a key plank of the SZC strategy and legacy; indeed this is something which businesses will need to demonstrate they have evidence of when competing to win a contract. The industry at the moment is not very diverse at all and it appears that this has not been a priority for a lot of businesses in the sector until now.

US2U Consulting has a strong track record of working with clients to improve their Diversity and Inclusion strategies, understanding, recruitment and behaviours.

2. Project Management Training

Whilst there are significant budgets for the whole project, the emphasis is that businesses need to be competitive with their pricing when pitching to win contracts. This puts the emphaiss on them to ensure that all Project Managers and Project Team members are well trained in world class techniques to lead and execute projects, ensuring that projects are delivered right first time to project specification and still enable the business to make a reasonable margin for their shareholders.

US2U Consulting have expert Consultants who can deliver Project Management Training in person and/or in bite-size online chunks if required. See more details of our Project Management services here.

3. Leadership Skills Development and business coaching

It is apparant that to deliver the technical skills required, a significant number of people will be leading teams and/or teams of size for the first time. Enabling these people to do this competently and confidently will be a critical part of the success or failure of the project, staff engagement and retention.

US2U Consulting has spent the last 18 years working with businesses across all sectors to enable them to have highly skilled talent able to demonstrate resilience and leadership in challenging environments.

Rachel said, "We are keen to play our part in collaborating to make this project successful. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a confidential conversation about how we can enable you to have that competitive egde when competing for contracts."

For our latest US2U Consulting Podcast episode, Founder & Director Rachel Blackburn sat down with our Spring 2023 Intern, Jess Connolly, to discuss the topic of Gender Equality in the Workplace.

Watch the episode and let us know your thoughts. What are your experiences of Gender Equality in organisations you have worked in? Have there been improvements made in this area in recent years?

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about how US2U Consulting can make a positive difference to your organisation.