Our Journey Towards Includability

We’re delighted to announce our new accreditation by Includability, a UK professional standards organisation verifying companies’ commitment to diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and mental health best practices.

Our process towards verification has been rewarding. we’re pleased to see that it has validated the work we are already doing in areas such as diversity and inclusion, and equipped us with a roadmap motivating our teams to deliver an even better quality service to clients and candidates – and be an employer of choice in accounting, finance and HR recruitment.

Here, I’ll share what our journey has involved so far and why we’re excited about the future.

The Background  

Includability is a UK-based standards organisation that verifies companies’ commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, Sustainability, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Talent Management, and Leadership and Governance.  

By establishing a standards programme with a rigorous multi-step verification process, Includability has provided a seal of approval for a range of reputable UK organisations, including Danone, Viacom CBS, Wiltshire Council and Chelsea FC. 

Includability (which is also a certified B Corp company) has a specific focus on standard accreditation for recruitment agencies, with additional verification for recruiters to become Includability Committed organisations.  

Why We Chose to be Certified   

At CMA, pursuing Includability accreditation wasn’t about ticking boxes. We wanted an accreditation that reflects the values that truly matter to us as a business. Earlier this year, we started exploring various accreditation options, and ultimately, we felt that Includability was the perfect fit for us. 

As a recruitment agency, we’re in a unique position to champion diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), within our team and also in the recruitment industry at large. Internally, our goal is to be a remarkable employer – an employer of choice. That means building a culture where inclusivity is woven into the fabric of everything we do.  

But our commitment doesn’t stop at our own doorstep. We’re just as committed to helping our clients as we are in supporting our candidates and employees with inclusive practices.   

For us, Includability was the clear choice because it aligns with our mission to deliver something better than a transactional service. It reflects our drive to make a measurable long-term impact, both within our business and for the clients and candidates we support.  

How We Achieved Includability Status 

Achieving Includability accreditation was a rigorous process that truly tested our commitment as a business – and that’s exactly why it appealed to us! This wasn’t about paying a fee for a stamp of approval. We had to earn it by demonstrating the initiatives we’ve put in place and our plans for the future. 

The journey began with an initial call with the Includability team, where we learned about the verification process. From there, they connected us with seven verification partners, each of whom is an expert in their area. Over the course of seven hour-long interviews, we discussed our work across these areas: 

• Diversity and Inclusion 

• Mental Health 

• Wellbeing 

• Leadership and Governance 

• Sustainability and Social Impact 

• Diversity in Recruitment 

Each conversation explored what we’ve been doing as a business, the value of those efforts, and our plans for moving forward. For instance, in the Diversity and Inclusion session, we shared the progress of our working group, which I lead, and highlighted our past achievements and initiatives we’re rolling out in 2025. The diversity in recruitment discussion focused on how our processes (and those of our clients) are inclusive for everyone. 

The preparation for these interviews was thorough. Depending on the verification partner assessing us, we were either provided with a list of questions in advance or asked to bring evidence of our work. In some cases, follow-up tasks were required after the calls.  

The hard work paid off. Includability told us we passed the process with flying colours, requiring minimal follow-up. It was a proud moment for everyone at CMA and a testament to the collective effort across the business. 

This was a team effort through and through. Our Managing Director, Neil Phillips, contributed to the Leadership and Governance session, whilst Nikki Walker, our Mental Health and Wellbeing lead, joined calls in her area of expertise. Alasdair, our Social Impact lead, represented us in the Sustainability discussions. Members of our Diversity and Inclusion working group, including Liz, Danielle, Moya, and Zoe, also made vital contributions in these calls. 

Validation of Our Current Work 

Includability’s accreditation process affirmed that many of our existing practices are already effective. For example, we’ve ensured our job adverts are gender-neutral. We use inclusive interview processes and flexible assessment formats to accommodate candidates from diverse backgrounds. Receiving validation from experts that we’re on the right track was very encouraging.  

Last month, we were pleased to be nominated for two Includability awards. One recognised our work in diversity and inclusion, while the other, Best Includability Committed Employer, was an overall category. It was an honour to be in the running alongside major organisations like Danone, which highlights just how far we’ve come as a business.   

The Benefits for Employers, Job-seekers and Our Team 

Improved Data and DEI Reporting 

One of the immediate benefits of our Includability accreditation is that we can support our clients with a more refined data reporting practice, which will assist them in their own DEI reporting and accountability processes. We’ll be able to delve further into the details of our accounting, finance and HR recruitment practice to highlight how DEI principles were addressed throughout the process.  

For example, we will be able to share metrics like the number of applications received, additional outreach efforts and a profile breakdown of candidates. This data will help our clients track who progressed through interviews and who was hired, providing the information their HR teams need for internal DEI reporting. In specialised areas of accounting, finance and HR recruitment, particularly executive search, this data is increasingly valuable for our clients. 

Free Career Guidance and Support  

As recruiters, we have a strong skill set in interview coaching and career pathway guidance, and we’re keen to use that to engage more with our local community. Whilst we’ve done some work with educational institutions in the past, it’s been more sporadic. Moving into next year, we’re aiming to be more consistent in sharing our knowledge with our community. 

We’re also developing more free resources that employers and candidates can access for DEI-focused support and advice, part of our growing information hub that we’ve made freely available to all, accessible here. 

Wellbeing Support 

Includability’s process has highlighted opportunities to bolster our mental health and well-being initiatives. We’ve implemented activities such as well-being walks, breakfasts, and regular check-ins to support our team. 

What’s Changing at CMA Recruitment Group 

Includability’s guidance has given us a blueprint for further improvements that we’re excited to be working on in 2025 and beyond. 

Sustainability and Social Impact 

As a service-based business, it’s sometimes challenging to find ways to minimise our carbon footprint, but Includability has opened our eyes to new opportunities. 

We’ve been inspired to explore options like banking with environmentally conscious institutions and auditing our suppliers for sustainability credentials. These insights have become a key focus for our working groups, enabling us to make more impactful decisions moving forward. 

Training 

In terms of DEI education, we’re exploring “lunch and learn” sessions for our consultants, to deepen their understanding of inclusion in recruitment. These efforts are being coordinated through our dedicated working groups focused on DEI, social impact, and mental health.  

Further ahead, our training will focus on key topics like unconscious bias and neurodivergent hiring, equipping our team with the knowledge to create more inclusive recruitment experiences. 

Looking Ahead 

It’s all still a work in progress, so it’ll take time to get it just right, but we’re excited about the possibilities! Our experience with Includability has been a wonderful learning opportunity and a valuable investment in our future. We can’t wait to incorporate what we’re learning into everyday practice – and deliver even greater value to our clients, candidates, and team. 

Access Accounting, Finance and HR Recruitment Expertise 

If you’re looking for support with includability initiatives, or are curious about how some of the changes we’ve made could help your business, please get in touch and we’d be happy to share our experience.

Of course, if you’re looking for support with your next accounting, finance or HR hire or ready to take the next step in your career, our people-focused teams are committed to matching talented people with outstanding opportunities. Contact the team today.