PR and Digital Communications agency Splendid Communications has appointed one if its staff to the position of Diversity & Inclusion Champion in recognition of their passion and contribution to enhancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Sophie Barnes takes up the role alongside her continuing duties as a Senior Account Executive. She will work alongside the senior leadership team to ensure inclusive thinking is woven into all areas of the business, from recruitment and inductions to training, creative development and the cultural calendar.

She has been empowered to steer an employee resource group focused on education and action around EDI issues, as well as helping to develop internal resources to upskill staff and build on external training. She will have the support of the agency CEO and wider leadership team to ensure that no voice is unheard in the agency, whilst supporting the company’s HR and Wellbeing teams to ensure that Splendid policies and practices actively consider, celebrate and support diversity of all types.

This appointment is the first of several planned initiatives that follow the agency’s inaugural Diversity Barometer this summer. A staff survey was combined with views and suggestions from colleagues across the company, seeking ways to further promote inclusion within the agency. This builds on existing inclusive recruitment processes like ‘blind’ application and CV reviews, multiple-person interview panels and objective scorecards, with the aim of eliminating unconscious bias.

Sophie Barnes, Diversity & Inclusion Champion at Splendid Communications, comments: “It is clear there is much work to be done in our industry, and so I’m glad to have been given the opportunity to channel my passion for Diversity and Inclusion to seek tangible change. As someone who identifies as female, with a mixed ethnic background, I have valuable perspectives to bring to the role. With the support of a strong network of colleagues, representing all types of diversity, I am looking forward to working alongside the Splendid leadership team to continually promote diversity within the agency, and the wider industry. I’m really proud to take up this important post and to work for an agency that cares enough about diversity and inclusion to have created it.”

Alec Samways, CEO at Splendid Communications, comments:

“Everything we do at Splendid is ‘People-First’ from our work for clients to the way we look after our staff, so it was fitting that were able to formalise this role for someone who has exhibited ‘People-First’ passion and expertise to help us move our D&I goals forwards.

Sophie’s enthusiasm and insight as well as her well-established relationships across the agency make her the ideal person to take up this key role. We are serious about D&I and I’m looking forward to working closely with Sophie to make progress on our journey and empower and elevate the influence of minority voices at Splendid.”

Sophie Barnes starts work immediately as the Splendid Diversity & Inclusion Champion, working alongside the senior leadership to develop and evolve the Diversity & Inclusion strategy and programme for the next 12 months and putting in place mechanisms to ensure she is staying up to date with staff views and experiences at work and beyond.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact:

Sophie Barnes at Splendid Communications:  020 7553 7300 / 07778173769
sophieb@splendidcomms.com

About Splendid Communications

It used to be that a loud voice and a decent ad spend was all you needed to get your message across. In today’s fragmented world, to project a consistent message we need brand stories strong enough to remain intact wherever they are told and shared. At Splendid we call our approach People-First Creativity. From our strategic thinking to the way we generate ideas and work with our clients, our starting point is real people living real lives in the real world. We will challenge you and urge you to keep it real. We are here to deliver creative work that lives beyond the industry bubble. We love what we do. We are Splendid.