Inclusive Companies

What Inclusive Companies does

Inclusive Companies Limited is a Liverpool-based, privately held membership organization founded in 2005 that operates the UK's leading Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) network, connecting 500+ inclusive employers ranging from fast-growing startups to FTSE 100 corporations, central government departments, police forces, NHS trusts, and charities. The core offering is an annual membership that bundles expert consultancy, training, benchmarking, exclusive events, and a peer community, distributed through a 4-step sales funnel beginning with a free 30-minute consultation. The company is registered in England (Company No. 11397949) and operates with a lean team of 1-10 employees from a single headquarters in Liverpool.

The product portfolio is services-and-content-led rather than software-led, anchored by an IT50 (Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers) benchmarking dataset capturing diversity metrics from organizations representing 750,000+ UK workforce members. Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring annual membership subscriptions, project-based bespoke consultancy, training and certification fees (foundational 4-6 week self-paced courses plus advanced 8-12 week certifications), and event ticket/table revenue from high-profile black-tie awards ceremonies at venues such as Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and Hilton Liverpool. Distribution is direct via the inclusivecompanies.co.uk website, an authenticated member portal (member.inclusivecompanies.co.uk), an inside-sales team reachable by phone, and Microsoft Teams-delivered webinars.

The company operates a portfolio of sub-brands that extend its addressable surface area: the National Diversity Awards (now in its 15th year), the Inclusive Awards, the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers Index, Elevate 1000 (an empowerment programme targeting 1,000 UK organisations), Inclusive Jobs (a specialist job board), the Diversity Power List, the IC Internal Engagement Survey, and a Wellbeing Hub. Notable named customers include E.ON, Auto Trader, Capital One, Rolls-Royce, Bupa, OVO Energy, OXA, Direct Line Group, United Utilities, HSBC UK, UK Power Networks, West Midlands Fire Service, Merseyside Police, and the Department for Transport. There is no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and founder Paul Sesay continues to lead as Founder and CEO.

Name

Inclusive Companies

Legal name

Inclusive Companies Limited

Website

https://inclusivecompanies.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Inclusive Companies Limited is a Liverpool-based, privately held EDI membership organization founded in 2005 that connects 500+ UK employers through annual subscriptions, consultancy, training, and awards programmes including the National Diversity Awards and Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers Index.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversity and Inclusion Consulting

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (81391), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Inclusive Leadership & Leading Diverse Teams (EDABAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Professional Development for Inclusive Practices (General Education Staff) (EDAKABAL)

Keywords

• EDI consulting services
• Workplace diversity training
• Inclusion membership programs
• Employer benchmarking awards
• Diversity strategy consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees providing access to the full EDI infrastructure including training, consultancy discounts, awards participation, events, webinars, templates, and community networking. Members receive instant access upon subscription with preferential rates on bespoke consultancy projects.
2. Bespoke Consultancy Services: Tailored EDI strategy development, implementation support, and assessment services delivered by consultants with 20+ years of experience. Organizations frequently start with membership and then utilize tailored consultancy for specific systemic issues or leadership training.
3. Training and Certification Programs: Foundational EDI courses (4-6 weeks, self-paced with lifetime access) and advanced industry-recognized certifications (8-12 weeks). Monthly expert-led live webinars included with membership. Members receive unlimited access to all training courses.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue from event tickets, table bookings, and packages for prestigious black-tie events including the National Diversity Awards, Inclusive Awards, and various networking showcases. Events are hosted at venues like Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and Hilton Liverpool.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Inclusive Companies operates a membership-based EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) organization that sells annual memberships bundled with tailored consultancy services, training courses and certifications, and hosts prestigious employer benchmarking awards programmes. Its core paid deliverables are the annual Membership subscription, bespoke Consultancy engagements for EDI strategy and implementation, and Training programmes ranging from foundational self-paced courses to advanced certifications.

Product overview

Inclusive Companies operates as a comprehensive EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) membership organisation offering a platform-plus-services model. The core Membership provides access to the entire infrastructure including training, consultancy, awards, events, and resources. This is supplemented by Consultancy (tailored EDI strategy and implementation support) and Training (foundational courses, advanced certifications, and live webinars). The product portfolio also includes prestigious awards programmes: the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers ranking, National Diversity Awards (celebrating grass-root diversity heroes), and Inclusive Awards. Additional offerings span the Elevate 1000 initiative for 1000 organisations, the Inclusive Jobs specialist job board, Diversity Power List recognition, a 2026 Diversity & Inclusion Calendar, Wellbeing Hub resources, Events & Webinars, and a Video content library. With over 20 years of experience, the company connects 500+ inclusive employers across UK organisations ranging from startups to FTSE 100 corporations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Diversity Awards: The UK's largest diversity awards celebrating grassroots communities and role models across all protected characteristics.
• Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers
• Inclusive Awards
• Inclusive Jobs
• Elevate 1000
• Diversity Power List
• IC Internal Engagement Survey

Products and services

• Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Organizations report decreased turnover costs through improved diverse talent retention
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Aleto FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with OVO Energy and other organizations supporting the development of the next generation of leaders. Aleto Foundation brings 10 young people annually to OVO for real business challenges, with 5 hired as paid 10-week interns and 4 full-time hires through the partnership over three years. The collaboration creates pathways for young people from diverse backgrounds into careers regardless of their starting circumstances.
• Auto TraderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the National Diversity Awards 2023, supporting the celebration of diversity champions and community organizations across the UK.
• OVO EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the National Diversity Awards. Louise Bailey, Diversity & Inclusion Accelerator at OVO Energy stated pride in supporting recognition of positive role models and organizations leading in inclusion.
• Direct Line GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the National Diversity Awards, supporting the UK's largest diversity awards celebration.
• United UtilitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the National Diversity Awards. Hosted 'Opportunity for All' webinar showcasing their EDI initiatives including an 'opportunity for all' approach across 7,000+ colleagues.
• HSBC UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for National Diversity Awards Shortlist Showcase 2026 at HSBC UK, 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham. Summer BBQ hosted in HSBC UK outdoor event space. HSBC Inclusion Team and Small Business Banking Team sharing expert advice at the event.
• ITV NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia supporter of National Diversity Awards, providing platform coverage for Britain's unsung diversity heroes and champions.
• KantarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Entrepreneur of Excellence category at National Diversity Awards 2023.
• LushminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Positive Role Model Age category at National Diversity Awards 2023.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Great Place to Work: Global workplace culture research and certification firm running the Best Workplaces awards with an EDI-adjacent employee survey methodology. Compares to Inclusive Companies through its annual benchmarking index and awards vertical, though it operates much more broadly than EDI-only.
• Investors in People: Established UK accreditation body offering workplace standards certification across management, leadership, and people practices. Operates as a broader workplace-quality incumbent whose accreditation model overlaps with Inclusive Companies' benchmarking approach but spans topics beyond EDI.

Direct peers

• The Valuable 500: Global business coalition driving disability inclusion commitments from major corporates. Competes directly in the same disability-and-inclusion segment of UK corporate EDI, with overlapping enterprise client targets and similar advocacy-then-consultancy delivery model.
• Stonewall: UK-based workplace equality charity operating the Diversity Champions corporate membership program for FTSE-grade employers. Operates a parallel membership, training, and benchmarking model focused on LGBT+ inclusion, making it the closest direct UK peer in structure, target buyer, and revenue model to Inclusive Companies.
• EW Group: UK diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy delivering bespoke strategy, training, and research services to corporate clients. Directly comparable as a UK-headquartered EDI services provider competing for the same FTSE 100 consultancy and training budgets.
• Business Disability Forum: UK membership organization supporting employers on disability inclusion and accessibility in the workplace. Closely mirrors Inclusive Companies' structure as a UK-based, corporate-membership EDI network with training, consultancy, and benchmarking offerings across FTSE 100, public sector, and SME clients.
• PurpleSpace: UK-based membership community for disability employee resource group leaders, offering training, events, and consultancy to corporate members. Most analogous to Inclusive Companies on member-community model among disability-focused EDI peers, though narrower in EDI scope.

Regional players

• Diversity Council Australia: Australia's leading independent not-for-profit membership body for workplace diversity and inclusion, offering research, advisory, and benchmarking services. Functionally analogous to Inclusive Companies in another geography, providing a useful peer reference for international scaling potential.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/inclusivecompanies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-inclusive-top-50-uk-employers
• Instagraminstagram.com/inclusiveawards
• Xx.com/co_inclusive

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Inclusive Companies