Vertu's Ford Division Honoured For Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership
Vertu’s Ford division has been recognised by the manufacturer with a prestigious award for its achievements in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
The accolade highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive workplace culture where all colleagues have the opportunity to contribute to the Groups success, and to removing barriers to ensure that all colleagues have equal opportunity to move their career.
As part of its continued focus on delivering colleague a great place and a work-life balance, Vertu introduced a major new initiative: all their dealerships will now close on Sundays, with the exception of its Mercedes-Benz franchise.
This industry-leading move ensures that sales colleagues benefit from a guaranteed, consistent day off each week, alongside another scheduled day, whilst delivering a reasonable 40-hour working week.
This strategic adjustment is designed not only to promote favourable working patterns but also to enhance the attractiveness of sales roles to prospective talent, supporting long-term recruitment and retention.
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu, said: “We are proud to receive this recognition from Ford, which reflects our wider commitment to making Vertu a great place to work.
"Closing our dealerships on Sundays was a bold step that underlines our belief in the importance of balance and wellbeing for all colleagues. Our success is built on the people in our business, and we will continue to invest in their development, reward, and voice.”
Vertu is also committed to maintaining its position as a leading employer in the sector through regular reviews of its working practices, pay structures and incentive schemes. This ensures that our offering to colleagues remains competitive within the sector and attractive to those outside it who may want to join.
Colleague progression is further supported by the company’s Evolution Scheme – a self-nomination programme that enables non-management colleagues in aftersales, sales, and accounts departments to put themselves forward for development opportunities. This initiative helps identify and nurture future managers and leaders from within the business.
The Group also operates a Degree Apprentice Programme which attracts undergraduate level talent and operates as management fast-track scheme.
These schemes have been very successful at accelerating talent into management with a strong proportion of those progressing being female helping to address the lack of female representation on management across the sector.
Listening to colleague feedback is central to Vertu’s approach. The Group maintains a variety of channels including colleague satisfaction and pulse surveys, stay and exit interviews, and regular feedback forums.
Feedback is reviewed at a senior level and used to shape annual action plans, which are closely monitored and adapted through dealership reviews and continuous engagement.