EDIS x The Equal Group: Collaboratively designing a spin-out business model

Introduction

Between March and October 2022, EDIS worked with strategic equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) consultancy The Equal Group to co-design the next phase of EDIS’ development as it endeavours to spin-out of the Wellcome Trust and register as an independent entity in 2023. The overall aim of the project was to work alongside key stakeholders (including the EDIS operational team, the Development Board, EDIS members and the Wellcome Trust) to achieve three primary objectives:

1. Refine the key criteria and principles for what the EDIS spin out and business model must include, considering all potential equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) implications;
2. Surface a range of business models for EDIS to consider and agree on the most viable option;
3. Further refine and develop a business proposal, governance and resourcing plan to take forward.

Focus and Vision

The Equal Group exists to be the architect of transformational positive change for EDI in the workforce. Our focus is to unleash the full potential of organisations by identifying and eliminating bias from the workplace by combining data with analysis technology and advanced strategic consulting. Our vision is to enable a business world without bias.

The Equal Group wholeheartedly supports EDIS’ belief that improving EDI in biomedical, life sciences and health research is both a moral imperative and essential to human health. A commitment to EDI is fundamental to our business; we welcome diversity based on lived experience, protected characteristics, physical ability and neurodiversity. Our goal is to enable everyone to contribute to our success with their whole selves.

It was apparent from the inception of the project that this intersectional focus should guide all interactions and decisions made in the final output. The Equal Group’s values of being trans-inclusive, anti-racist and anti-ableist draws strong parallels with the values of EDIS.

Engaging with EDIS members

Following the project initiation meeting, The Equal Group embarked on the first major milestone: to engage with the EDIS team, EDIS members and Development Board representatives to understand the collective hopes, ambitions, and fears regarding the next steps for EDIS’ spin out. We launched a survey to understand initial reactions before conducting a series of one-to-one meetings with members (10 in total).

We then conducted a series of workshops with a view to gaining insight from the EDIS team, members, and the Development Board on the four core areas of EDIS’ evolution: legal structures, EDIS in 2026, funding and membership models, and governance models. The contents of each workshop were as follows:

Legal structures

We sought to understand of a range of business models, assessing each one against their funding and administrative implications. The Equal Group team felt it was important to give due consideration to the potential EDI implications of any proposed legal structure and understand the role of governance in mitigating them.

EDIS in 2026

The purpose of this session was to co-design the key pillars for the future of EDIS, with a focus on how to overcome any barriers to progress the group identified. This discussion was guided by two underlying questions:

●         What activities will EDIS do in 2026?

●         What is EDIS known for in 2026?

Funding and membership models

The third session sought to encourage participants to think about criteria that could be used to determine membership eligibility and fees, with an emphasis on fairness and equity.

Governance models

In the final session, we endeavoured to agree on a baseline understanding of the principles of good governance and how this should influence decision-making, operations, appointment to the Board and working groups. We then shared a proposed governance model drawn from our findings in the previous sessions to garner initial reactions.

Following the close of all workshops, we collated the findings, analysed them through an EDI lens, then combined them with our expertise in strategic consulting to present a final report to EDIS.

How did EDI shape the business plan?

The report brought together the learnings from all phases of the project and detailed the agreed criteria for business models alongside an overview of the desk research we conducted. The report also included input from the EDIS membership and an overview of the proposed business model with resource implications, suggested governance structure and any EDI considerations.

Embedding a focus on EDI throughout the business plan meant considering not just the potential EDI implications of decisions, but also whether there were any potential EDI implications of proposed risk mitigation strategies.

Some of the key EDI considerations we included in the plan include:

• We proposed that 50% of Board seats are reserved for individuals with demonstrable EDI knowledge or expertise, both within the science or health research sector or other sectors. These individuals will be co-opted through positive action.
•  Recommendation for EDIS to establish an EDI Committee to pursue an approach that is informed by best practice, recognises the impact of individual characteristics as well as the role of systems and intersectionality in EDI.
• To ensure equity and inclusion, we proposed that by 2026, EDIS adopts a free tier of membership for smaller charities that may lack the resources to fully engage as well as an Individual Membership package (including a sub-category aimed at students) to empower the next generation of leaders in the sector to prioritise EDI.

Case studies were also included throughout the plan, detailing information in relation to EDI in their organisations where possible.

The Equal Group are confident that EDIS will maintain a commitment to social justice in everything it does. We are looking forward to following EDIS along the next stage of their journey and hope to continue working with EDIS as they consider how our recommendations will be implemented.

To find out more about The Equal Group and their work, visit their website. 

A note from EDIS:

We enjoyed working with The Equal Group and their recommendations have been invaluable as EDIS prepares to spin out of the Wellcome Trust into an independent entity. We particularly appreciated their skills and expertise in providing equality, diversity, and inclusion considerations. We are currently reviewing which recommendations we will take on and will be transparent about our decision-making process.