COMMITMENTS

In early 2022 we began a rigorous accreditation process for the business (watch this space), it served as a great opportunity to focus our attentions on a thorough assessment of our CSR commitments, helping us to identify areas to enhance the company’s dedication to these goals. In 2022, we introduced new policies on menopause, breastfeeding mothers’, office and home office environmental stewardship, and charitable donation matching, as well as updates to our policies on corporate travel, recruitment and financial transparency with employees. We also introduced an EV car scheme. We consolidated these new policies, along with some existing ones, into a new Impact Handbook for our staff, bringing everything related to our goals into one accessible place and aligning our firm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Throughout the year we made donations to 8 different charities, including several providing emergency relief for ongoing humanitarian crises around the world, a central London based foodbank, and a charity who offer street outreach support to the homeless in the city.

The team continued their involvement in the Social Mobility Foundation’s Aspiring Professionals Programme by mentoring students for the third year running, and in addition two members of the research team mentored some London academy students, helping them prepare their sustainable business pitch for the for the Livery Academy Awards ceremony. We are very pleased to report that their team won the competition.

2022 was the first full year of our Women in Investment Initiative (WII). We welcomed our first two interns on the scheme, became sponsors of a non-profit who inspire female and non-binary students to pursue careers in the investment industry, and hosted two student insight days. 

Another big focus for the year was fully establishing some enhancements to our recruitment process to ensure that we are considering all applicants without bias.  This involves operating a strict blind CV screening process, and also (as a GC People Company) requiring final stage applicants to complete a GC Index© assessment to identify cognitive diversity and desire for impact, helping us make more informed decisions. Despite both additions increasing the administrative time spent on recruitment, we feel it is a positive inclusion and hope in time to see these practices become the norm across the industry. 

Finally, we are proud that our efforts were recognised as winner of the 2022 Eurohedge award for Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Congratulations to all at Velox.