Scholz & Friends presents Action Plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Transformation program for more diversity and equal opportunities
The partner board of the Scholz & Friends Group unanimously decided on a 50% quota for equal representation of women and men on management levels until 2022. The commitment is part of a comprehensive action plan for diversity, equity and inclusion. After Catherine Gaudry's appointment to the agency group's partner board, the department “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” (D.E.I.) at Scholz & Friends - among one of the first German agencies - is anchored at the highest management level. With the action plan, Scholz & Friends is now allowing clear words to be followed by concrete decisions.
Scholz & Friends' action plan for diversity, equity and inclusion (pdf)
New structures for equal leadership
To create a diverse and inclusive work environment, Scholz & Friends’ plan includes five fields of action: structures, leadership, culture, communication and compliance. The action plan is effective immediately and will be implemented for each location and each business unit of Scholz & Friends within the next two years. Driven to reach the quota, each location and division of Scholz & Friends will work out an implementation plan by the end of this year, with concrete measures regarding how the goals will be achieved. By the end of next year, Scholz & Friends is aiming for at least 30% of the positions at the top management levels – management directors and partner board - to be female.
Frank-Michael Schmidt, CEO Scholz & Friends Group: “The action plan announced today expresses the claim of Scholz & Friends to set standards in the areas of diversity and equality. With our plan of action, we want to provide a systemic, sustainable and future-oriented answer to the discussions of the past weeks. Values cannot remain words. That is why we have made specific and binding decisions by which we can be measured."
Catherine Gaudry, Head of Talent & Managing Director International Business and member of the Scholz & Friends partner board: “At Scholz & Friends, we face the same challenges as other businesses and society as a whole. We want to actively and quickly drive changes for the better - for our employees, for the talents of tomorrow and for the agency landscape in general."