Article provided by Rizwana Ahmed, Senior People & Culture Business Partner – Inclusion, Diversity & Equity GB at CCEP
Yet, at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), the largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola globally, we recognised several years ago that we needed to do more to create an inclusive and equitable workplace where Everyone’s Welcome.
A key element of that journey has been recognising that simply aiming to create equality in the workplace fails to take into account that not everyone starts in the same place and some people face barriers that others do not. Instead of trying to treat everyone the same, we instead need to create equity.
This was the aim of the Equity Programme, which was launched in GB in 2019 and I both led and participated in. It was the start of a journey which I hope can inspire and assist other organisations to follow our lead.
We understood that to create positive change we first had to listen to our multicultural colleagues to fully understand the barriers they face in their daily lives and, from that, create a programme which would help break down those obstacles.
We started by hosting small group sessions with multicultural employees from across CCEP, which highlighted some common themes, including a lack of belief in opportunities for multicultural staff and the sense of a lack of multicultural representation in management.
This was the genesis of the Equity Programme.
As the name suggests, at its heart it’s designed to give our multicultural colleagues a sense of ownership and belonging – a feeling that they are valued and can be themselves.
The initial pilot brought together twenty-five colleagues from underrepresented ethnic groups across the business and their managers to learn, listen and create opportunities that empower staff from all backgrounds to thrive.
The six-week programme has two main parts.
Learning is key and the programme includes structured modules focused on the challenges faced by people from multicultural backgrounds.
All people managers receive inclusion training to really help them understand their colleagues’ lived experiences, including the biases, stereotypes and microaggressions they suffer.
Multicultural team members then progress through a programme of virtual learning with their managers, working in partnership to collaboratively build solutions for equitable change.
At the end, each multicultural team member leaves with a bespoke career development plan designed to help them achieve their full potential, as well as a manager who understands their ambitions, recognises the challenges they face, and has their back.
It’s important to have these actionable, measurable objectives and accountability to prove that an organisation is sincere in its desire to change and show participants that it is worth getting involved.
My own personal experience in the Equity Programme was life changing.
Before it started, I definitely wasn’t being my full self, but my faith is really important to me and the Programme empowered and encouraged me to wear my headscarf with pride and be my true authentic self at work.
The actions and achievements that have come out of the Programme are wide ranging and are creating real positive change across the business already. But from my perspective, I would say the biggest change is that it’s given me a voice and the confidence to speak out about what’s important to me.
Perhaps the most important outcome of that for me personally is that I’ve been able to challenge my leaders harder than ever, for example on recruitment. It’s really important to me to ensure that we have diverse interviewing panels, so we can help to bring diverse talent into the business.
We came away from the pilot programme with six key areas where we want to drive change in the business: improving learning and development opportunities for multicultural staff, equity in recruitment, creating a community of cultural ambassadors as allies, data and accountability, and mentoring, role modelling and storytelling. By having these direct outcomes, we can make sure that the Programme creates change where it’s needed the most.
So far, 50 people from across the business have completed the programme, which we now plan to roll out across CCEP GB. However, this isn’t a process that just ends after six weeks.
We never stop trying to learn and we are always open to new ideas and perspectives.
That can sometimes mean hearing some uncomfortable home truths, but if you are truly committed to change and not just ticking boxes, it’s the only way.
My ambition now is that every single manager experiences the Equity Programme in the next year and for all my multicultural colleagues to have their lives changed for the better, just like I did.
But the ultimate happy ending will be to create an organisation that lives and breathes equity naturally, without having to make a conscious effort. Now that’s perfect harmony!
Rizwana Ahmed is a Senior People & Culture Business Partner – Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (ID&E) GB at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), the largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola globally.
She is a British Pakistani Muslim female who champions diversity and inclusion across the business. She leads the company’s JustBe allyship programme, as well as its 500-strong Cultural Ambassadors group. Rizwana was recently shortlisted for the Women of the Future Awards.
June
18jun10:0016:00Legal Essentials: Supporting Women at Work
18/06/2025 10:00 - 16:00(GMT+00:00)
Did you know that tribunal claims related to menopause, menstruation, fertility treatment and pregnancy loss are rising fast? Many employers don’t realise that these issues can
Many employers don’t realise that these issues can legally qualify as a disability under the Equality Act.
Yet most of these claims are avoidable with the right training, policies and action.
That’s why I’ve partnered with employment lawyer Hannah Strawbridge to deliver a full-day, live online course designed specifically for HR, DEI, and managers.
You will be able to:
Understand your legal obligations around women’s health issues
Recognise when they may be classed as a disability under the Equality Act
Take practical steps to reduce legal and reputational risk
Learn how to avoid tribunal claims
Handle health-related conversations and workplace adjustments with confidence
Create a legally compliant Women’s Health Action Plan
Whether you’re reviewing your current policies or building a strategy from scratch, this course will give you the legal clarity and practical support you need.
DATE: Wednesday 18th June
TIME: 10.00am – 4.00pm
PLACE: Zoom
19jun18:0021:00Discover How You Can Make a Difference at our eCubed Volunteer Social
19/06/2025 18:00 - 21:00(GMT+00:00)
Arch One
83 Rivington St, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY (the old Cargo)
Whatever your interests or skills, there’s a place for you on our passionate volunteer team. Together, we run inspiring
Join us for a relaxed evening of drinks, nibbles, and conversation with the eCubed team. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what we do, how we do it, and the charities we champion.
Curious about getting involved? This is the perfect chance to throw yourself into the eCubed experience and see if it’s the right fit for you. All you need is a can-do attitude and a passion for creating positive change—everything else is a bonus.
Day : Thursday 19th June, 2025
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location : Arch One, 83 Rivington St, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY (the old Cargo)
Simply register below, let us know any guests you’d like us to bring. We can’t wait to meet you. You’re guaranteed to meet some awesome people and hopefully be inspired to get involved or even share some new ideas – no pressure, no obligation.
26junAll DayThe Brilliance Summit 2025
26/06/2025 All Day(GMT+01:00)
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms
The Edinburgh Suite, 61-65 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5DA
We’re proud to announce our partnership with The Brilliance Summit, an electrifying one-day event for women in leadership
This isn’t just a summit—it’s a movement.
“At The Brilliance Summit, women show up, speak up, and level up. They shake off limitations, own their presence, and lean into their next level.”
Taking place in London on Thursday, 26th June this transformative event is curated for ambitious women who lead, whether that’s in the boardroom, the business world, or within themselves.
Here’s why this matters:
We’ve seen the power of what happens when women are given space to show up fully—and this is that space.
As partners, we’re excited to offer our community a discounted ticket.
Use code WeAreTheCity2025 at checkout to access your exclusive rate.
Grab your ticket now at www.thebrilliancesummit.com
Let this be the moment you stop waiting and start owning your brilliance.
26jun08:0017:00WeAreTech Festival | Hybrid Conference
26/06/2025 08:00 - 17:00(GMT+01:00)
etc.venues, St Paul's,
200 Aldersgate St, Barbican, London, EC1A 4HD
As a hybrid event dedicated to empowering women in technology, our festival continues to break barriers and redefine industry norms. This year promises an even more exhilarating experience as we bring together women from diverse backgrounds and experiences to share knowledge, inspire one another, and create new opportunities for growth and advancement in the tech industry.
The WeAreTech Festival is a beacon of inspiration for women in the tech industry, urging them to confidently stride forward in their careers. Our goal is simple yet profound: to inspire and motivate every attendee to take bold steps towards their professional aspirations.
Throughout the day, you’ll have unparalleled access to the wisdom and insights of senior leaders in the tech field. Engage with thought-provoking discussions through our panels, where you can contribute your perspectives and glean invaluable knowledge from industry experts.
But that’s not all. The afternoon sessions are designed to put you in the driver’s seat of your learning journey. Tailor your experience to your needs and interests, shaping your path towards growth and success in the tech world.
And let’s not forget the added perks of speed networking and mentoring. Connect with like-minded individuals, forge meaningful relationships, and gain invaluable guidance from seasoned professionals who are eager to support your journey.
At the WeAreTech Festival, we believe in empowering women to embrace their potential and seize every opportunity that comes their way. Join us, and let’s embark on this transformative journey together.