At Headstar, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. From how we recruit to how we work, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. This commitment extends to our work with clients and candidates across the UK and is evident in our own culture, ensuring we practise what we preach.
We believe that fostering diversity not only builds stronger teams but also enables us to better serve our clients and candidates. Whether it’s through inclusive recruitment processes, tailored support for neurodiverse candidates, or our gender-positive
leadership, we aim to make a meaningful impact at every level.
We’re also dedicated to empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge to advance their careers. Our comprehensive Content Hub offers a wealth of resources, including videos on topics like succeeding in interviews as an introvert and charting a path to becoming a Finance Director. Additionally, we host a variety of networking events throughout the year, creating inclusive spaces for professionals at all stages, from graduates to Finance Directors and business leaders.
How We’re Making a Difference
Inclusive Recruitment Practices
- Recruiting on Character: In collaboration with Simon Hartley, founder of Be World Class, we champion hiring based on character over traditional measures, ensuring fair opportunities for everyone. We host an annual event on this topic, held an informative free webinar which is available to watch on our Content Hub, have a host of online resources to support this approach and our Managing Director, James Roach, even contributed the foreword to Simon’s book Hire Great People.
Championing Diversity and Breaking Barriers
- Gender Representation: With women making up 60% of our board, we advocate for gender balance in leadership roles, routinely placing women in senior finance positions across the country. We also actively promote shared parental leave, empowering all parents to prioritise their family without compromising their careers.
- Neurodiversity: We support candidates and employees with autism, ADHD, and other neurodiverse conditions, offering tailored adjustments such as flexible working arrangements and interview preparation guidance.
- Age-Inclusive Recruitment: We support finance professionals at every stage of their career – whether it’s mentoring aspiring or newly-appointed Finance Directors, or helping graduates navigate their career options through workshops and events. Internally, we regularly hire apprentices, with four apprentices joining Headstar over the past four years, two of whom have already progressed into senior roles.
Networking Events: We also host key events to support the next generation of finance talent. For example, we partner with Leeds Beckett University to run an annual ICAEW Accountancy Practice Student Event, and offer an online Career Masterclass to help graduates explore career opportunities in accountancy and finance. For more senior professionals, our Finance Futures: The Executive Summit, in collaboration with TheBusinessDesk.com, provides a platform for Finance Directors and business leaders to connect, share insights, and gain support in their role
Recognition for Excellence Across All Generations
At Headstar, we don’t just talk about diversity – we celebrate and evidence it. Our team’s dedication to excellence shines through in our consistent five-star Google ratings from clients and candidates alike.
Our younger team members have made an exceptional impact, earning recognition such as being highly commended and shortlisted for Recruitment Team of the Year at the Yorkshire Young Professional Awards, with several individuals also shortlisted for Recruitment Consultant of the Year.
Our senior team members have been equally celebrated, with multiple individuals being shortlisted at Yorkshire Leadership Awards, recognising their outstanding contributions.
Wellbeing and Inclusion
- Employee Wellbeing: At Headstar, inclusion is about more than just policies;
it’s about creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We offer:
- An annual Wellbeing Day for staff to take when needed.
- An Employee Wellbeing Programme with quarterly events focused on mental, physical, and emotional health.
- Access to four trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- Workshops to enhance financial literacy.
- Support for personal development through regular quarterly review sessions and frequent training available to the whole team.
- Encouraging Work-Life Balance: With hybrid working and flexible arrangements, we support our employees in balancing work with other responsibilities. Over half of our core team benefits from flexible working arrangements, including part-time contracts, flexible working hours that fit around school and home-based contracts.
- Hybrid Working: We support flexible working with staff and encourage our clients to do the same. We recognise that hybrid working is often a key driver for employee satisfaction and recruitment. Every staff member at Headstar has the option to work hybrid, with some days in the office and other days at home.
Promoting Flexibility
62% of job seekers state that flexible working hours are the most important factor when looking for a new job (according to Reed.co.uk). With remote working options, work/life balance, and mental health/wellbeing support also high on this list, we always seek to educate clients to incorporate flexibility into their jobs and we support candidates looking for flexibility in their next role.
Community Impact
- Donate A Day volunteering scheme: Each year, our Headstar team dedicates a volunteering day to support Zarach, a charity addressing bed poverty, which affects over 900,000 children nationwide. By helping provide beds for children in need, we aim to support their future success and well-being. Please visit our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) page to find more details about this initiative.
Our Policies and Approach
We have robust policies that underpin our EDI commitment, including Equal Opportunities, Wellbeing, Flexible Working and Home Working policies. We also maintain a zero-tolerance stance on discrimination and harassment. Additionally, we invite regular feedback through annual staff and wellbeing surveys to continuously improve our practices.
Embracing All Forms of Diversity
We actively promote inclusion across race, sexual orientation, gender, age, neurodiversity, and more. Our approach ensures fair representation within our team and supports clients to foster the same within their businesses, while ensuring all of our candidates are treated equally and fairly throughout the recruitment process.
Help Us Improve
We’re committed to ongoing progress and welcome feedback from employees, candidates, and clients to ensure our EDI efforts continue to evolve. If you have any suggestions on what we could do better, please email us at info@headstar.co.uk.