A shared commitment: Our champions and steering group align on EDI goals

14 October 2025

Last week, we were proud to host our Autumn 2025 diversity and inclusion roundtable, held at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This was a first-of-its-kind event, as we brought together both the Diversity and Inclusion Champions and the R3/IS EDI Steering Group – the coming together of these two groups marked an important turn in our collective efforts to strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across the restructuring, turnaround and insolvency profession.

This was the fourth roundtable we’ve held over the past two years, and was opened with a presentation from the FCA, showcasing their current diversity and inclusion initiatives. Their work continues to set a powerful example, demonstrating how inclusive values can be embedded into regulatory practice and organisational culture. The FCA shared some excellent examples of their work, from training to empowering staff networks and the positive results these are already delivering. The presentation sparked thoughtful reflections with participants exploring how we can work together more effectively to support and advance EDI across the profession.

A key focus of the roundtable was the Steering Group’s newly launched 2025/26 action plan. The plan sets out a clear and ambitious vision: to raise awareness of the value of EDI, to better understand and address barriers to inclusion and to build alliances that strengthen the restructuring, turnaround and insolvency profession’s ability to represent the communities it serves. It reflects a commitment to practical action, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Driving collaboration and progress across the profession

Formed in 2021 by R3 and the Insolvency Service, the Steering Group plays a vital role in convening professionals across the sector to discuss, understand, and take action on EDI challenges. It recognises the many initiatives already underway and welcomes further dialogue among all parties to share their thoughts and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Looking ahead, the Steering Group will continue to support the champions network through face-to-face engagement, knowledge sharing, and joint initiatives. A major project on the horizon is the repeat of R3’s 2021 survey of the profession, which will help assess progress and discover new findings particularly around barriers to progression within the profession.

We are grateful to the FCA for hosting this important event and to all those who participated! The roundtable reaffirmed our collective commitment to building a more inclusive insolvency profession that reflects the diversity of the people it serves and is stronger for it.