"We’re taking applications for Equality Council partners at the conference, and we welcome anyone passionate about inclusion to join us in shaping a fairer, more equitable future for Access FS and the wider industry"
- Nick Jones - Access FS
Access FS has launched a new Equality Council designed to advance diversity and inclusion across its mortgage and protection network, calling on employers to take tangible action to deliver meaningful change.
The initiative, unveiled at the firm’s annual conference, aims to promote inclusivity, amplify underrepresented voices, and tackle systemic barriers within both the organisation and the wider protection sector.
The council’s core objectives include:
Championing fair representation for marginalised groups
Encouraging allyship and inclusion across teams
Ensuring equitable opportunities for all employees and advisers
It will also review company policies, advocate for inclusive practices, and hold Access FS accountable for progress against its diversity and inclusion (D&I) commitments.
The Equality Council will identify challenges, propose solutions, and support cultural change to ensure the brokerage reflects the communities it serves. Regular feedback sessions and transparent reporting will form part of its approach, embedding D&I principles into everyday operations.
The council will comprise six members, three employees and three advisers with adviser positions rotating quarterly to ensure ongoing representation and new perspectives. Currently, 92% of Access FS advisers come from minority backgrounds, representing 23 national communities, and 32% of the adviser team are women.
Nick Jones (pictured), marketing director at Access FS, said: “The Equality Council is a pivotal step in our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
“Its role is to scrutinise what we do, how we do it, and how we can improve to better embrace difference. By fostering open dialogue and actionable change, the Equality Council will ensure we not only represent marginalised groups but actively champion their voices."
"We’re taking applications for Equality Council partners at the conference, and we welcome anyone passionate about inclusion to join us in shaping a fairer, more equitable future for Access FS and the wider industry.”
