Meet our Employee-Led Networks

We’re proud to be an organisation that is continually progressing and improving and it’s vital to us that we reflect the views and needs of our customers and colleagues. One way our colleagues are truly represented is through our employee-led networks (ELNs), a range of groups run by volunteers within the business that not only provide a supportive community of allies but give our colleagues a platform and a voice.

Certain networks represent small minority groups, and others cast a wider net, but all welcome anyone to get involved and learn more about a particular topic, culture, or movement. These networks play a huge role in how we shape our strategy to be a truly inclusive and diverse organisation as well as a fair, supportive, and enjoyable place to work.

We have eight key employee-led networks sponsored by members of our Executive Committees, and several more nuanced pillars that sit below each. Here, we look at some of the ways they create communities and facilitate significant cultural change.

The Aspire Network

Our Aspire Network supports the personal and professional development of colleagues throughout their career, driving awareness of the multitude of opportunities available across the bank. Aspire hosts networking sessions and skill-building workshops as well as providing senior leader career insights. Its annual development programme helps employees make incredible career moves and their Development Library provides a collection of resources to help build the skills and confidence necessary to progress.

The Gender Network

Our Gender Network is comprised of advocates for gender equality. Its members encourage support and open dialogue around gender specific topics. They also host annual awards to recognise those who’ve played a vital role in driving a cultural shift and they continue to fight bias and create a gender equal environment.

The HomeLife Network

Our HomeLife Network supports not only our well-being, but that of those we love. It acknowledges the uniqueness of our families and supports our colleagues through the challenges that we face when balancing work with other commitments. Whether we are caring for family members, dealing with reproductive health issues, welcoming a new member to the family, grieving the loss of a loved one, or returning to work from a period of absence, the HomeLife network is there to help.

The Rainbow Network

Our Rainbow Network celebrates our LGBTQ+ community and aims to ensure our colleagues and customers feel safe and respected. The network helps to create LGBTQ+ allies within the bank, highlighting the benefits of diversity and nurturing a fair and inclusive environment in which we all feel we belong.

The Sustainability Network

Our Sustainability Network inspires colleagues to champion sustainability in every part of their lives. The network brings people with similar interests together, providing education, and generating ideas, initiatives, and campaigns that address important topics such as climate change and consumerism. The network also recognises and commemorates employees who have made outstanding contributions to sustainability through volunteering, organising awareness events, and educating others.

The Multicultural Network

Our Multicultural Network helps us to learn about the various ethnicities, cultures, and faiths that make up our amazing workforce. Along with ethnically focussed mentorship and sponsorship and career development opportunities, it provides a supportive community of people with common interests and experiences. It also encourages us all to celebrate heritage and promote understanding and respect.

The Enable Disability & Neurodiversity Network

Our Enable Disability & Neurodiversity Network promotes awareness of disability and the diversity it brings in order to reach their goal of making NatWest the ‘disability employer and bank of choice’. The awareness and education they provide empowers our customers and colleagues of all abilities, and their families, to thrive, regardless of mobility or impairments. It also provides a safe space connect colleagues with similar disabilities, conditions, impairments, and neurodivergences.

The Armed Forces Network

Our Armed Forces Network has a commitment to members of the Armed Forces community. Its pledge is to ‘acknowledge and understand that the Armed Forces community should be treated with fairness and respect’. It provides support across several areas including post-military careers, education, family well-being, access to healthcare, and financial assistance. The network recognises the challenges faced by those who have been in the Armed Forces and their relatives and helps to relieve the pressures those challenges may bring.

All our employee-led networks share the common goal of making the bank an inclusive place to work that champions our differences and highlights how together, we’re stronger. They provide a wide range of tools and support that allow us and those close to us to thrive at work and at home.

A huge thank you to all our ELN members who work hard to make things better and easier for all of us.