Diversity Mark and Business in the Community NI (BITCNI) were delighted to bring together EDI leaders for our latest EDI Leaders Forum – From Intent to Impact: Creating Meaningful EDI Targets, hosted at Allstate.
The EDI Leaders Forum is a quarterly, peer-led network designed to bring together leaders and practitioners working to advance equality, diversity and inclusion. The sessions provide an opportunity to network, share best practice, learn from one another and collaboratively explore some of the challenges facing organisations today.
This session focused on the importance of meaningful EDI targets – exploring why targets matter, how to develop strong and achievable targets, how to measure impact, and examples of successful approaches in practice.
Nancy McMullan, Head of Engagement at Diversity Mark, opened the session before Molly Edgar, Operations Executive at Diversity Mark, dived into our Target Framework Guidance. The session kept the focus firmly on our shared goal: creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can belong, contribute and thrive.
We were delighted to hear from our incredible Silver Signatory, Baker McKenzie, represented by Daniel Hendry. Daniel shared Baker McKenzie’s journey to Silver Accreditation and reflected on the value of working alongside Diversity Mark, BITCNI and Women in Business to support their EDI journey.
Our Senior Assessors, Susan Walker from Allstate and Emma Patterson-Bennett from the BBC, also shared their expertise on developing meaningful targets, offering practical insights for organisations interested in working towards Diversity Mark Accreditation.
The session concluded with a lively Q&A and open discussion, giving EDI leaders the opportunity to share experiences, explore best practice and consider how organisations can respond to some of the biggest inclusion challenges facing workplaces today.
A huge thank you to BITCNI, Susan Walker and Allstate for hosting us, and to Emma Patterson-Bennett and Daniel Hendry for sharing their experiences and insights.
Continuing the conversation
Our next EDI Leaders Forum will take place on 1 December, 12pm–2pm at Allstate, with a focus on Social Mobility.
If conversations like these are relevant to your organisation and you want to keep learning, connecting and moving from intent to impact, why not join us at the Diversity Mark Annual Summit 2026?
Taking place on Wednesday 7 October at Titanic Belfast, #DMSummit26 will bring together leaders, changemakers and organisations from across Northern Ireland for a day of thought-provoking conversations, practical insight and inspiration around this year’s theme: Future Ready, Human First.
Diversity Mark Summit 2026
Continue the conversation. Share the learning. Be part of the movement towards more inclusive workplaces.
