Wolves have achieved the intermediate level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS).
First recognised at preliminary level in 2018, when the award was known as the Premier League Equality Standard, Wolves have been further acknowledged for their equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) work, which has grown continually during the club’s five years back in the Premier League.
PLEDIS provides a framework which allows clubs to progress equality, diversity and inclusion including mental health and wellbeing across all areas of the business, both on and off the pitch, and in the community through Wolves Foundation.
Wolves have been assessed on a range of requirements, including policies, procedures, leadership, learning and development, promoting inclusion and tackling discrimination – followed by an independent evaluation, assessment and verification process.
Wolves now become the first club in the West Midlands to reach intermediate level and have done this by achieving a number of actions set out across the last three seasons including the formation of an external Equality Advisory Group to provide a critical voice and feedback on plans.
Further initiatives were praised by the independent panel including the clubs Hate Crime Policy, mental health and wellbeing employee support group and the launch of a multi-faith prayer and reflection room at Compton Park for all staff, players and parents to use. Over 700 staff including players and stewards have also received EDI awareness training.
The PLEDIS accreditation was formally presented by Premier League representatives and received by the club’s general manager for commercial operations Vinny Clark, EDI manager Gurpri Bains and Wolves Foundation EDI lead Jonathan Warburton at half-time of the One Pack Week fixture against Brentford.
Clark said: “Throughout our work with PLEDIS since promotion in 2018, we have set our mission to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are the golden threads which are woven throughout the club and in all of its internal and external touchpoints.
“Moving forward for the 2023/24 season, every department will lead on its own delivery plan which underpins the club’s updated ‘Mission One Pack’ strategy which we look forward to launching in the summer.”
Upon delivering the news to Wolves, the Premier League’s independent assessment panel commended the substantial progress the club had made, which included committing to a dedicated, full-time resource in the new EDI manager role.
The panel went on to say: “Wolves has approached the new PLEDIS framework with enthusiasm, commitment and honesty.”
Gurpri Bains, equality, diversity & inclusion manager, said: “Everyone is welcome at Wolves and we use our ‘One Pack’ strapline and ethos to badge our collective EDI work, ensuring everyone associated with Wolves receives a positive experience and is treated with dignity and respect. We now continue with this mission and take it to the next level.”
Kuljit Randhawa, head of diversity and inclusion strategy at the Premier League, said: “We are delighted to have awarded Wolves the intermediate level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, recognising the club’s commitment to work towards a more inclusive environment for both fans and staff.
“They have made excellent progress on their equality, diversity and inclusion work throughout their time in the Premier League and there is a strong commitment from the club’s senior leaders to continue to build on this important work.
“During the club’s recent assessment, the PLEDIS panel of independent experts commended their approach to communicating on EDI, mental health and wellbeing, both internally and externally. This was particularly evident through the ‘Not in Our Pack’ programme that positions the club’s anti-discrimination stance in a clear and articulate way.
“We look forward to continuing to support Wolves to enhance their work in this area.”
