Belonging at work starts with making room for someone else

Investec recently chaired a panel discussion with its charitable partner, the Black Young Professionals Network (BYP), exploring the relationship between belonging and performance in the workplace. Jason Spivey, Investec’s Head of People and Organisation, reflects on why belonging is about more than inclusion. It’s about having the opportunities and backing to succeed. Black History Month gives organisations a moment to celebrate Black history, culture and achievement. But the harder question is what happens when the month ends? Once black and ethnically diverse colleagues are through the door, are they given the same chance to build a career, be stretched, be heard and be backed? Belonging is felt in the everyday moments when someone notices what you can do, gives you space to prove it and backs you when it matters. It is being listened to properly, trusted with work that matters and spoken for when decisions are being made elsewhere. Ambition exists, the blockage is often ac