Stacey Copeland speaks at Studio Retail’s Diversity and Inclusion seminar

By Scott Dawson Advertising

28 Nov 2019

img_3479.jpg

“Talent is universally distributed but opportunities are not” Stacey Copeland (footballer, boxer,  broadcaster and equality champion) told employees during Studio Retail’s Diversity and Inclusion seminar 

Recently nominated as Best Value Retailer of the Year in the Retail Week Awards 2020, Studio.co.uk boasts a turnover of £400m a year and has emerged a significant competitior in the UK value retail market.  

With a workforce of over 1,400 individuals, the company works hard to maintain an inclusive workplace culture and ethos where every colleague’s talents are embraced and potential is fully supported.  

Addressing senior leaders, Stacey explained the responsibility of businesses and individuals to address diversity and inclusion. Copeland made history, being the first ever British Female boxer to win the commonwealth title after overcoming barriers and steryotyping throughout her life. 

“Companies sometimes get it quite wrong, they want to tick the boxes instead of thinking about the human experience” said Stacey, “It is really fantastic that Studio.co.uk are leading the way, thinking about the individuals within their business and encouraging a truly diverse and inclusive environment.  

It was a pleasure to be invited to talk about my own experiences, how I’ve overcome barriers to equality and highlight how individuals can be more thoughtful with their language. I hope going forward if people do encounter injustice, they now have the confidence to take action and challenge that issue.”  

Stacey Copeland encouraged attendees to share times they have felt excluded or alienated and be open about the cumulative impact that lack of inclusion can have on an individual.

“Stacey has encouraged us all to stop and reflect about unconscious bias this afternoon” said Sharon Benson, HR director at Studio, “She has shown us that when you take responsibility for driving change and take barriers away,  people are capable of incredible things.”

Sharon highlighted how UK statistics show workplaces are not inclusive and diverse, despite their best intentions. 

“Stats show that 93%* of women aged 28-40 who have a caring responsibility feel it is difficult to combine their responsibilities with a successful career. We work to remove barriers and create an understanding environment that opens up opportunity and inclusion for all, whatever their background and situation.”* 

Studio are paving the way for other businesses with their existing inclusion strategy, with a negligible pay gap between males and females (-0.1%), and a workforce consisting of significantly more (+8.5%) non-UK nationals than the industry average.

Studio used the session to further develop their diversity and inclusion strategy, which includes investing in data utilisation and AI to streamline their recruitment process.

“Being aware that we may be unconsciously biased as individuals is the first step. Through harnessing technology we can eliminate this. Another thing we will be doing is stepping back and identifying if our adverts and recruitment process have any age or gender bias. This could alienate prospective applicants for example. I strongly encourage all other businesses to do the same.

Sharon continued: “There is a strong business case for inclusion, with diverse companies reporting 19% higher revenue, businesses with an inclusive culture outperform industry norms by 35% and are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their market.”**

Managing director, Paul Kendrick explained: “Having an inclusive culture fully supports our growth plan and helps us to increase employee retention and embrace differences in the workplace so all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.”

For more information about Studio visit: www.studio.co.uk

*Source:www.hrtechweekly.com

**Source: www2.deloitte.com/uk/en.html

Latest news

1

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft David Nichol John Garnett Aydan Jones and Laura Tilley

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft

12 Sep 2025

2

University of Lancashire unveils Preston campus installation to celebrate name change University of Lancashire new feature

University of Lancashire unveils Preston campus installation to celebrate name change

12 Sep 2025

3

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake Lucy Field, Kate Walsh, Ellie Fisher, Zainab Aswat, Reece Jones, Aisha Bibi Patel, Finley Vila, Uzair Zariwala, Richard Prest, and Charlie Harrison

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake

11 Sep 2025

4

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment Andrew Grove

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment

11 Sep 2025

5

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November Gary McEwan managing director of Interfloor

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November

10 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin