Diversity Forum Secures Four-Year Investment to Drive Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Across Social Investment

The Diversity Forum is delighted to announce that it has secured £530,000 of funding from Access – The Foundation for Social Investment to support a new four-year programme of work focused on advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across the UK social investment sector.

The funding forms part of Access's wider commitment to creating a more equitable social investment ecosystem and will enable the Diversity Forum to build on more than eight years of sector leadership, collaboration and advocacy.

Building on Eight Years of Progress

Since its launch in 2017, the Diversity Forum has worked to challenge inequities within social investment, amplify under-represented voices and support organisations to embed inclusive practices across leadership, governance and investment decision-making.

Working alongside social investors, funders, intermediaries and sector partners, the Forum has played an important role in strengthening accountability, facilitating peer learning and ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion remain central to conversations about the future of social investment.

This work has contributed to significant progress across the sector, including stronger organisational commitments to EDI, the relaunch of the Diversity Forum Manifesto, the development of practical resources and toolkits, and growing recognition of the importance of representation within leadership and investment decision-making.

While progress has been made, important challenges remain. Access to capital remains unequal, leadership and governance structures do not always reflect the communities they serve, and many organisations continue to face challenges in measuring and demonstrating progress on EDI.

The next four years provide an opportunity to build the infrastructure, accountability mechanisms and partnerships needed to accelerate change.

Our Vision for 2026–2029

The Diversity Forum's vision is:

A thriving, equitable and inclusive social investment ecosystem where decisions, capital and leadership genuinely reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, driving fair access to resources, opportunity and influence for all.

Our mission is to embed equity, diversity and inclusion into the DNA of UK social investment, ensuring that fairness, transparency and representation are not optional, but essential to how the sector operates.

To achieve this, our new strategy is built around five interconnected priorities.

Data, Benchmarking and Accountability

We will establish stronger accountability mechanisms across the sector through benchmarking, self-assessment tools and shared standards.

This will include the development of sector-wide EDI benchmarking, annual self-assessments aligned to the Diversity Forum Manifesto, and the publication of a regular State of EDI in Social Investment report.

Our aim is to make progress visible, measurable and actionable.

Representation and Inclusive Leadership

We will support organisations to strengthen diversity across leadership, governance and investment decision-making structures.

This includes promoting inclusive recruitment and retention practices, sharing good practice and creating opportunities for peer learning and leadership development.

Access, Fair Processes and Equity in Investment

The Diversity Forum will continue to champion more inclusive approaches to investment, helping organisations understand and address barriers that prevent underserved communities from accessing capital.

By sharing practical guidance, case studies and learning, we aim to support a social investment market that is more accessible, equitable and responsive to community needs.

Thought Leadership and Collective Influence

Over the next four years, we will strengthen our role as a convenor and thought leader.

This includes publishing research and insights, hosting senior leader roundtables and creating opportunities for organisations to collectively address emerging challenges and opportunities.

Collaboration, Communications and Engagement

Systemic change requires collaboration.

We will continue to bring together social investors, funders, intermediaries, social enterprises and people with lived experience to co-design solutions and share learning.

Alongside this, we will strengthen our communications, expand engagement across the sector and increase the visibility of inclusive practice and innovation.

A New Support Offer for Signatories

One of the key developments within the new strategy is the introduction of a more structured support offer for Diversity Forum signatories.

Alongside accountability and benchmarking, organisations will have access to practical resources, advisory support, peer learning opportunities and signposting to specialist expertise.

We want to ensure that organisations have the tools and support they need to translate commitments into meaningful action.

Working Alongside Partners

The Diversity Forum will continue to work collaboratively with partners across the social investment ecosystem, including Access, the Equality Impact Investing Project (EIIP), funders, intermediaries and infrastructure organisations.

While each initiative has a distinct role, our shared ambition is to create a social investment sector that is more equitable, inclusive and effective in serving diverse communities.

Looking Ahead

This funding provides an important opportunity to strengthen the foundations for long-term change.

Over the coming months we will begin implementing our four-year strategy, launching new programmes of work, strengthening engagement with signatories and developing new accountability and learning mechanisms.

We would like to thank Access for its continued support, our Steering Group members for their leadership, and the many organisations and individuals who have contributed to the Diversity Forum's development over the last eight years.

The work of creating a genuinely equitable and inclusive social investment sector is ongoing, but together we have an opportunity to accelerate progress and ensure that social investment better reflects and serves the communities it exists to support.