Diversity and Inclusion

What our 2026 staff and board diversity survey results show

In 2024, we finalised the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) framework which demonstrated our approach to embedding diversity and inclusion into who we are and what we do.

The goals of this framework were to:

• create an inclusive workplace
• champion equity and respect
• lead with impact and support

As part of our commitment to embedding this framework in a meaningful and measurable way, we carried out a diversity and inclusion survey across staff and board members.

Survey results

Nearly 100% of staff and board took part in this survey with responses made up of:

• 65.5% staff
• 34.5% board members

The survey questions were updated from the 2023 version to better reflect our updated equalities monitoring form. This will help us to align data across Firstport and highlight areas where we can make improvements.

Key findings

Gender identity

Since we last collected this information in 2023, the board has improved its gender balance. Much of this can be put down to the strategic effort we made to diversify the board.

For the first time, we have non-binary and trans history representation.

Sexuality

Visible LGBTQ+ representation has increased. Compared to 2023, where no team members identified as being part of the LGBTQ+ community, this shows progression towards us being an inclusive organisation where individuals feel able to share their identities.

Disability

There has been a noticeable increase in disability disclosure compared to previous years. The updated survey captured more detailed disability information than in 2023 giving respondents a chance to share more nuanced accounts of their disabilities.

Several team members reported multiple or complex conditions.

This shift indicates an increase in trust within the organisation and a wider understanding of what disability is.

Age

The workforce shows more team members in middle age groups, with fewer younger respondents than in previous years.

The most common age groups were:

• 14 36-49-year-old team members
• 7 50-59-year-old team members

In 2023, the most common age group was 30-39.

Ethnicity

Despite 90% of team members being white, there has been a slight increase in representation of team members from ethnically diverse backgrounds since 2023.

Although this progress is positive, it highlights the need for continued focus on improving ethnic diversity in the Firstport team.

Summary

The 2026 results show encouraging signs of progress, particularly in gender diversity, LGBTQ+ visibility, and disability disclosure. Improvements in survey design have also enabled a more accurate and inclusive understanding of our workforce.

However, there is still more work to be done, particularly in increasing ethnic diversity and ensuring representation across the organisation.

AI tools were used to support the analysis of this report.