Video 2 October 2024

Game on for Mitie’s diverse team players

As a thriving team of 68,000 people, it’s important to make everyone feel included at Mitie.

Our new ‘This Is Me’ campaign features nine very different colleagues, who have each opened up about very personal journeys, as well as how Mitie has supported them in the workplace.

Miriam Wright, a Mitie colleague, against a blue background
Miriam is an advocate for Mitie’s inclusive company culture

Feel part of the family

The programme aims to encourage more colleagues to share their diversity data. This is a critical part of Mitie’s Social Value Framework, in which we’ve committed to a truly inclusive culture that supports our people to achieve their full potential.

Administrator, Miriam Wright, is an active member of the Enable network and a firm believer in one of Mitie’s core values, which states: ‘Our diversity makes us stronger.’

Miriam says: “I have ADHD and autism. I’m currently 38 years old, I was only diagnosed literally a couple of years ago at 36…I’m part of the Enable network. When people disclose [diversity data], we know what Mitie can focus on…If we know what we are, we know how to support people [in the organisation].”

Push the door open

Like the other contributors, Miriam shares her personal experiences in her own ‘This Is Me’ video.

By letting her bubbly personality shine through, she’s determined to show others it’s okay to be open about who you truly are.

Referring to her ADHD and autism, Miriam says: “Sometimes it is an absolute asset. One of my biggest strong points with it is solving problems. I can think my way around corners. Sometimes it is the complete opposite – and it is a complete nightmare, where you are trying to do things and your brain just does not want to cooperate.

“…When you push the door open with being open and disclosing stuff, it helps other people come through as well. It does make us more visible and makes our voices louder.”

Allies programme

Mitie’s Managing Director of Technical Services, Dan Guest, feels equally strongly about supporting people from a range of minority groups to feel part of the Mitie family.

Eighteen months ago, he became executive sponsor of the Mitie Allies programme, which encourages all colleagues to support the six diversity networks, regardless of whether they have the same lived experience as other members.

Speaking candidly in his ‘This Is Me’ video, Dan reveals he has been on his own journey and now recognises the privilege that has benefitted his life and career.

Dan says: “The programme opened my eyes to the concept of privilege and the deep impact of exclusion…It really helps you reflect on your own journey and supports your own development. So we’re a team of 68,000 people. We’re one of the biggest employers in the UK, and what’s important here at Mitie is that everybody feels a part of that.”

Be brave enough to share

Like Miriam, Dan recognises that some people can be reticent to share their personal details.

Yet the whole purpose of ‘This Is Me’ is to improve Mitie’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion – often referred to as ED&I.

Dan says: “People often feel uncomfortable sharing their personal information. I understand that, but there’s lots of people in Mitie who have been brave enough to share their personal information. Talk to the networks, talk to your peers, talk to an ally and understand the benefits it’s brought to them. And the benefits it’s bringing to other people within the organisation when they see those people share their information. It’s only by sharing we can really start to take action and understand how we can really make a difference to you.”

Look out for further stories from ‘This Is Me’ contributors in the coming weeks.

Find out more about Mitie’s approach to ED&I

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