Shaping tomorrow

UK managing partner for people and purpose, Jackie Henry

At Deloitte, our people have always been at the heart of everything we do. As our business evolves and the world around us changes, that remains as true as ever. 

The last year has seen rapid advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, which we know can, when applied consciously, with judgement and institutional knowledge, create exciting new opportunities for organisations, industries and society. But while technology will continue to evolve, it is people who will drive that change. Their skills, perspectives and experiences are what makes progress possible. 

We believe talent is everywhere and opportunity should be too. 

Creating pathways into rewarding careers helps us build a stronger, more diverse workforce, so we continue to invest in programmes that help people develop skills, gain experience and access opportunities they may not otherwise have considered possible.  

From our reskilling programmes to alternative routes into professional services, we're focused on opening doors to people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. For example, we continue to support the progression of women and ethnic minority colleagues, through programmes such as our Future Leaders Programme. 

In particular, we know how important it is to support young people at the start of their careers and the impact that the next generation will have both on the future of our firm and our society. We remain committed to equipping them with the skills they need to succeed, both through our graduate programmes, apprenticeship schemes and work experience placements, and through broader support and investment in young people, whether that's through mentoring disadvantaged job seekers, supplying young people with refurbished laptops or helping students from low income communities to gain access to new career paths.  

Through our focus on wellbeing and mental health, we want to create an environment where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work and access support when they need it. And of course, our 12 diversity networks and Inclusion Council continue to play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture where different perspectives are heard and valued.

For many of us, our careers are influenced by our lives outside of work. Family responsibilities, caring commitments and personal circumstances mean everyone's experience is different. 

We are almost two years into our family leave policy, which provides 26 weeks’ paid parenting leave for all parents from day one, alongside greater support for fertility treatment, neonatal care and caregiving responsibilities. We've seen firsthand the positive impact this support can have for families at pivotal moments in their lives. 

Our research with YouGov highlighted why this remains such an important focus. More than half of working parents reported feeling mentally exhausted or burnt out, while many also experienced increased stress and anxiety as they balanced work and family commitments. 

Meaningful support doesn’t end when parenting leave does. We’ve introduced more resources for our working parents, including a new digital support hub, while continuing to champion flexible and hybrid ways of working. We've also recently partnered with Carers UK, giving our people access to specialist resources, guidance and support for those caring for loved ones. 

Since introducing the policy, it’s been brilliant to be part of wider conversations about the role family-friendly workplaces can play in supporting greater inclusion and gender equality. 

Creating opportunity extends beyond our own organisation. 

In 2016, we set an ambitious goal to help improve the lives of five million people through access to skills, education and employment. Reaching that milestone five years ahead of schedule was an achievement we're incredibly proud of. 

But our work doesn't stop there. 

We continue to build on that momentum through partnerships that help remove barriers and create opportunities. This year, we renewed our partnership with Young Women's Trust and launched a new three-year partnership with Smart Works, supporting women as they prepare for and secure employment. 

We're also continuing to work alongside our clients to help drive positive outcomes for society, including supporting innovation and sustainable choices that can create lasting impact for future generations. 

Our focus remains clear. We want to create opportunities for people from every background, support them through different stages of life and help them build fulfilling careers where they can thrive. That includes investing in the latest technology to ensure our people are supported and equipped to use AI effectively, learning new skills to help them adapt to the modern workplace. And of course, we want to continue to make a positive impact on our planet and our society, building on the momentum of our five million futures programme and continuing to work with charities and social enterprises to drive change.  

We know that organisations that invest in their people, widen access to opportunity and recognise the realities of modern life will be best placed to attract, develop and retain outstanding people. 

That remains central to our vision at Deloitte — not only because it's the right thing to do, but because it is fundamental to building a stronger, more inclusive and more successful future for everyone.