As we reflect on the achievements and challenges of 2023, it is clear that our success is directly linked to the exceptional people within our network. As we aim for even greater heights in the coming years, talent attraction and retention remain a pivotal element in our pursuit of global excellence.
Our global headcount reached a record high this year, with 46,755 people working out of 1,069 offices across 157 countries.
CULTIVATING LOYALTY AND LONGEVITY
In today’s dynamic and competitive landscape, attracting top talent is not just a necessity; it is a strategic imperative. The quality of our workforce directly influences our ability to innovate, adapt, and lead in our industry. To ensure we continue to thrive, it is vital that our talent attraction strategies are not just effective but cutting-edge.
We participated in the survey of Newsweek, Best Practice Institute (BPI) and Most Loved Workplace® (MLW). Based on the data it was announced that HLB International was ranked #1 in the annual rankings for the Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces® list. The list recognises companies that put respect, caring, and appreciation for their employees at the centre of their business model and, in doing so, have earned the loyalty and respect of the people who work for them.
HLB sets itself apart from competitors by being more approachable and flexible, offering a better work-life balance. Its Global DEI Council drives clear and ambitious goals for gender diversity and the inclusion of underrepresented groups through “Days of Understanding” which encourages candid conversations about diversity. The HLB Engage programme provides young and ambitious employees with networking opportunities and developmental and cross-functional projects to gain exposure throughout the company. The HLB Skills Hub supports all HLB people with upskilling and reskilling efforts and serves as an internal marketplace for all kinds of opportunities on a global level.”
ALLIANCES AND ALLYSHIP
At HLB, we lead with a people first approach. We champion diversity in all its forms – whether it be backgrounds, cultures, identities, locations, or services. Throughout 2023, HLB has remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering equality and has played a pivotal role in cultivating inclusive workspaces through effective Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the HLB global community.
The global HLB DEI Council has set forth clear and ambitious objectives aimed at enhancing gender diversity and promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups, adopting the theme of Allyship over the past year to help their efforts.
This theme emphasises the significance of acknowledging and supporting allies within the network who advocate for those from underrepresented groups in the workplace. Furthermore, the council remains committed to advocating for underrepresented populations across various regions, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed. This proactive approach underscores a collective dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the network.
To ensure there was a good understanding among the HLB community on what was meant by effective allyship, we organised training, Allyship and Role Models, with LGBT Great. LGBT Great is the global LGBTQ+ financial and professional services community; they inspire organisations, and their leaders, to empower LGBTQ+ people and allies, to positively influence change.
We also marked World Mental Health Day, with a virtual webinar session, “Your Brain At Work: Neuroscience Keys for Optimized Mind & Performance” by the inspirational Psychiatrist, Dr. Tharaka Gunarathne, which cantered around high performance, psychological cohesion, cognitive biases and memory training. This day served as a crucial opportunity for HLB people to raise awareness and mobilise efforts in support of mental health.
HLB BUILDING THE FUTURE
Launched in 2023, the focus of this new executive leadership programme is on the challenging aspects of leading and managing professional services firms. The curriculum has been developed and led by professors of Cambridge Judge Business School.
The programme was built around three pillars: leadership, collaboration and clients. It offers insight into building long-lasting innovation across an organisation and understanding and implementing new business models and service designs. It also provides up-to-date frameworks for embedding a high-performance culture, maximising organisational effectiveness and supporting ESG initiatives.
For the inaugural HLB Building the Future we hosted 18 participants from all over our global network, receiving positive feedback for the experience, energy, and practical insights of the programme.
