As sponsors of this year’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award at the Times Higher Education Awards, we’ve been reflecting on a question that is becoming increasingly important across the sector:
How do we know whether progress in EDI is actually being achieved?
Over the past decade, higher education institutions have invested significant time, energy and resources into equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives. New strategies have been developed, networks established, targets introduced and conversations encouraged.
These developments matter.
However, as the EDI agenda continues to mature, there is growing recognition that success cannot be measured solely by activity. The real challenge is understanding impact.
Moving beyond good intentions
Most universities can point to policies, programmes and initiatives designed to improve inclusion and widen participation. The more difficult question is whether these initiatives are creating meaningful and lasting change.
- Are opportunities becoming accessible to a broader range of people?
- Are leadership teams becoming more representative?
- Are talented individuals from under-represented backgrounds progressing into senior positions?
- Are institutions creating environments where diverse perspectives can genuinely influence decision-making?
These are not simple questions, but they are increasingly important ones.
Why leadership matters
Leadership plays a critical role in shaping institutional culture, priorities and performance. The decisions made by executive teams and governing bodies influence everything from student experience and workforce development through to innovation, research and long-term strategy.
This is why conversations around EDI and leadership are so closely linked.
Creating more inclusive pathways into leadership is not simply about representation. It is about ensuring institutions have access to the broadest possible range of skills, experiences, perspectives and talent.
The strongest leadership teams are often those capable of drawing upon different viewpoints, challenging assumptions and responding effectively to increasingly complex environments.
Measuring what matters
As an executive search and leadership advisory firm, we believe organisations have a responsibility not only to talk about diversity, but to measure progress.
At Veredus, we regularly audit our own recruitment outcomes to understand how effectively diverse talent progresses through the search process.
Between 2021 and 2024:
- 53% of appointed candidates were women
- 21% were from ethnic minority backgrounds
- 8% identified as LGBTQ+
- 7% identified as having a disability
These figures do not represent an end point, nor do they suggest the work is complete. However, they reinforce an important principle: meaningful progress should be measurable.
Transparency creates accountability, while measurement helps organisations understand where progress is being made and where further action may be needed.
Celebrating impact across higher education
One of the reasons we are proud to sponsor the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award at the Times Higher Education Awards is that it recognises institutions and individuals who are delivering tangible impact.
The most effective EDI initiatives are characterised by evidence, outcomes and sustained commitment.
Whether through widening participation, improving access to leadership opportunities, supporting social mobility or creating more inclusive institutional cultures, these initiatives are helping to shape the future of higher education.
At Veredus, we believe that celebrating these achievements is important. Not simply because they recognise excellence, but because they encourage learning, challenge assumptions and help raise standards across the sector.
As the higher education landscape continues to evolve, the institutions that succeed will be those that recognise inclusion is not a standalone initiative. It is a strategic imperative that influences talent, leadership, innovation and organisational performance.
We look forward to celebrating the individuals and institutions leading that progress at this year’s Times Higher Education Awards.
Find out more about our track record in providing executive search, interim solutions and strategic talent advisory services to the Education sector.