Ocado scales back diversity targets amid DEI crackdown
The company’s goal of having 10% of senior management roles be held by people from ethnic minorities has been pushed back to 2030, behind its previous target of 2027
Ocado has scaled back its diversity targets following a wider rollback of diversity initiatives in the corporate world, The Telegraph has reported. The company’s goal of having 10% of senior management roles be held by people from ethnic minorities has been pushed back to 2030, behind its previous target of 2027.
According to the group, the target had been delayed due to a “strong rate of retention among senior managers”, meaning it will be “unlikely” to hit the 10% target before 2027.
It comes as an increasing number of companies are scaling back their DEI policies following a crackdown on diversity initiatives by Donald Trump in the US.
Trump has banned DEI programmes at federal agencies and ended government contracts with companies that continue to adopt these policies. Last week, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission warned employers that their DEI policies may be illegal.
Trump’s executive order has prompted multiple companies to scrap or scale back their diversity programmes, including Meta, Amazon and Walmart.
Ocado has recently increased its US workforce following a deal with supermarket company Kroger to supply it with the technology for its robotic delivery warehouses.
An Ocado spokesperson told The Telegraph: “It does not reflect any change in our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and we are making good progress across our other goals in these areas which extend across the business and our pipeline of talent.
“We strongly believe that diversity is a key driver of innovation and these targets are important for us to maintain our position as one of the UK’s most innovative technology businesses.”
Ocado has been contacted for further comment.
