CIC commends HMRC’s commitment to Inclusive Environments with eleventh recognition

This is the latest in HMRC projects which has been awarded, with eleven projects in total since 2020. This demonstrates HMRC’s ongoing commitment and dedication to creating inclusive places which go above and beyond the minimum requirements. Recognition has already been received for the following HMRC buildings; Government Hubs at 3 Arena Central – Birmingham; Westfield Avenue – Stratford, London; 7 & 8 Wellington Place – Leeds; 3 Glass Wharf – Bristol; and the UK Government Hubs Ty William Morgan – Cardiff; Queen Elizabeth House – Edinburgh; Erskine House – Belfast and Teville Gate House – Worthing, Unity Square in Nottingham and 1 Atlantic Square in Glasgow.

CIC’s ‘Inclusive Environments Recognition’ has a two-stage approach. The first recognises those organisations that are following the Essentials Principles Guide and honours them with a certificate valid for a five-year period, which HMRC was awarded in 2018. The second stage acknowledges individual buildings or projects undertaken by organisations that have already received recognition at an organisational level from CIC.

The Essential Principles Guide for Clients, Developers and Contractors was launched in 2018. In order for projects to be considered for recognition from CIC, organisations must submit the following evidence to show that they support the six essential principles:

1. Appointment of an Inclusive Environmental Champion at Project Level
2. Evidence that your Inclusive Design Strategy has been incorporated within the project brief and project budget
3. An example of how the project procurement process has addressed inclusive design
4. Evidence of the use of Access and Inclusive Design expertise and of consultation with diverse users
5. Evidence of monitoring and appraisal of completed projects to assess outcomes and successes in creating accessible and inclusive environments
6. List of any constraints that have prevented implementation of your Inclusive Design Strategy for example physical constraints of an existing building

Kath Jones, Deputy Director Workplace Operations, HMRC said of this latest recognition: “It is fantastic CIC continues to recognise HMRC’s welcoming and inclusive working environments and commitment to providing Great Places to Work for everyone with this latest CIC Inclusive Environment certification for our Manchester office. Delivering truly inclusive workspaces that meet the needs of all colleagues, continuing to adapt and improve in line with industry best practise and colleague feedback is at the heart of what we do.”

CIC Chair Justin Sullivan who visited HMRC’s Manchester site said, “I continue to be impressed by the lengths HMRC have gone to, to ensure they are constructing genuinely inclusive workplaces for all their staff. It is great to see them creating exemplar projects which will hopefully be a precedent for others to follow suit and engender an inclusive society. Well done HMRC.”

If you would like further information about the CIC Inclusive Environments Recognition Scheme please contact Liz Drummond at Ldrummond@cic.org.uk.

A full copy of the Essential Principles Guide for Creating Accessible and Inclusive Environments for clients, developers and contractors can be viewed here.